Oh! Many are the lamentations of a woman.

But we do best to smile and bear it.

For tomorrow is a day just like today,

But we make do and help the others get through.

And we gather together and make light of our pains,

In songs, we weave a happy present...

(Phrozu Li, Lamentations of Women, a traditional Chakhesang folk song translated and re-arranged by Tetseo Sisters)

Shillong, Feb. 27: In the run-up to International Women's Day, three top all-women bands from the Northeast will feature at tomorrow's rock concert to be held here.

Tomorrow's event - Surewaves Loud & Clear Rock Concert - is being presented by New Garnier Fructis, powered by Lakme Clean Up, in association with t2.

The concert, which is being supported by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, will commence from 2pm at Polo Ground Number 5. Entry is free.

The bands that will perform include Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland, Minute of Decay from Manipur, The Vinyl Record from Arunachal Pradesh and Soulmate from Meghalaya.

Minute of Decay is a band of three sisters, Worshon, Singchon and Thotyaphy Muivah, while Tetseo Sisters comprise Mercy, Azi, Kuvelü and Alüne (Lulu) Tetseo. The Vinyl Record has Cheyyrian Bark, Banu Jini, Minam Tekseng and Mithy Tatak.

Soulmate was formed in Shillong in October 2002 when Rudy Wallang and Tipriti Kharbangar (Tips) decided to form a band dedicated to playing the Blues and spreading awareness about this genre of music.

"Loud & Clear is backed by the deep insight that culturally all-women bands have come to signify - social achievement, empowerment and independence of not one woman, but of a group. They spread a key message of women empowerment through music, which has long proven to be the most effective tool to connect with the masses. The concert aims at celebrating womanhood," an organiser of the event said.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mercy Tetseo of the Tetseo Sisters said music cannot be separated from life. "It (music) is a way of life, and a lifeline for many people."

Expressing happiness on performing in Shillong, which she calls a centre with a lot of soul for all kinds of music, Mercy said the band would perform for around an hour tomorrow. Cheyyrian Bark, lead vocalist of The Vinyl Record, said, "We would like to thank Surewaves for taking the initiative and supporting women artistes, which rarely happens in India. Keep this empowering flame alive!"