Earth Day Network-India brings together 26 artists from six continents In a presentation to commemorate World Rain Day (July 29, 2020)

To focus on its global theme, Restore Our Earth, Earth Day Network announces a World Rain Day 2020 commemoration on July 29, 2020. The digital presentation will be broadcast on the Earth Day Network – India Facebook page at 2:30 pm GMT.

The international event brings together 26 Artists for the Earth from six continents to focus on the concept of ‘Rain.’ The commemoration intertwines presentations that extol the virtues of rain with messages from senior scientists and Earth Day Network Ambassadors including Thai actor Alex Rendell, violin virtuoso Dr. L Subramaniam, and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk. The digital presentation will include classical, spiritual, folk and pop music. Recitations, narrations of historical memory, works by cartoonists and dancers will also be featured.

The commemoration will include a performance from Mexican musician Estusha Grinberg on rainsticks, a poem recitation from Sri Lankan Actress Michelle Dilhara as well as an act from Borneo’s first woman Sape musician Alena Murang. Japanese artist Akinori Oishi will draw his iconic characters ‘Parka’ and ‘Bao’ and Malaysian actress Melissa Tan will narrate rain stories. While Sesame Street’s Muppets speak about rain, Grammy® Award winner Ricky Kej will have something for the kids. Voix de Vent will share a prayer traditionally recited to bring rain. Tirtha Electric, an international group of musicians, will make a pledge to Earth Goddess Pachamama to ‘Restore Our Earth.’ The broadcast also involves Malini Awasthi, Joy Shankar, Maricres Castro, and Jasbir Jassi. The nightingale of Carnatic music, Bombay Jayashri, will introduce an excerpt from the dance drama Meghdootam (Cloud Messenger). Sourendra and Soumyojit will present soulful Rabindra Sangeet. Percussionist Anantha R. Krishnan will reproduce sounds of rain on the mridangam. Additionally, the broadcast will include U.K.-based sarod player Soumik Datta, Maldivian singer Mariyam Maeesha, Afghani singer Elaha Saroor, Tanzanian singer Mariam Mhina, French artist Sophie Cousinié, Australian artist Mali and a group of musicians from Nepal performing the song Sina Jya.

Each artist created their work for Earth Day Network’s 2020 Rain Day commemoration.

“We believe that humans must restore the world’s ecosystems and forests, restore wildlife populations and rid the world’s oceans of plastics,” said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. “Rain is a precious resource. Our Rain Day presentation aims to remind people that each must do their bit to stymie climate change as this alters rainfall patterns leading to greater drought in already arid zones and the opposite – inundations – in others.”

Earth Day Network’s Regional Director of Asia Karuna Singh added, “Art is a powerful means of communication. We hope that Earth Day Network’s Rain Day commemoration informs viewers about the need to help reduce global warming by lowering their carbon footprints. This will enable us to continue rejoicing in the glorious rain which is so essential to recharge aqua systems, replenish our soil, help the growth of vegetation, and sustain agriculture.”

Earth Day Network (EDN). Since its inception in 1970, EDN continues to be the global organizer each year of Earth Days. Today, 50 years later, our engagement has grown to include over 70,000 organizations in some 190+ countries to take the environmental movement forward. EDN conducts several programs that help reduce carbon footprints. These include those that help expand climate literacy, foster environmental stewardship, increase the green cover, reduce the use of plastic, manage waste, promote a switch to clean and green energies and to the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. For additional information please contact Earth Day Network India at [email protected]