Ranbir Thouna performs at the album launch in Imphal. Telegraph picture

Imphal, March 25: Music icon Ranbir Thouna has called upon “globalisation era” Manipuris to never let go of their roots and history in his latest album.

The sixth edition of “Talents of Ranbir” produced under the banner of Tamna Sangai, titled Ima (mother), was dedicated to late Padma Shri M.K. Binodini Devi, a multi-faceted personality of Manipur.

The 10-song CD is a compilation of heartfelt renditions dedicated to Manipur and her legacy of love and prosperity on one hand and fractured ties and violence on the other.

The title song Nanngeedamak Hingjage, Nanngeedamak Sijage (Let me live for you, let me die for you) is a mother’s call to her children to come back to her lap and have a new beginning.

The CD also includes one song each by Rewben Mashangva, Mikon Wahengbam and Raj Elangbam.

Talking to The Telegraph today, Thouna said, “I dedicated my sixth album to Imashi (mother) Binodini as I believe she is the symbol of the best mother. I try to bring about a change through my music in Manipur, which is witnessing social unrest.”

Eminent theatre personality Padma Shri Ratan Thiyam released the audio CD in a simple function at a hotel here last Sunday.

Thiyam, too, hailed Thouna’s talent of after hearing the title song during the release event. “The title song has a meaningful message. The winds of globalisation have threatened the culture and traditions of our ancestors. Thouna’s Ima calls for protecting and preserving these. He is also a patriot and has a great future,” theatre icon Thiyam said.

Coming from Thiyam, who commends artistic work very rarely and that, too, only when he is satisfied with the work, the praise for Thouna showed that the singer truly deserved it.

Thouna is not just a singer and musician — he is also a campaigner.

He recently launched a Save Loktak campaign.

Last year, he, along with well-known singers of Manipur, performed in Delhi and Bangalore. He is also planning to tour the Northeast as part of the Save Loktak campaign.

A graduate in piano from Trinity College, London, Thouna’s quest for perfection in music led him to associate with internationally acclaimed musicians like percussionist Anandan Sivamani, flutist Naveen Kumar and music programmer Santosh Mulekar, among others.