Let the Music Play

The preparations for the Commonwealth Games might have come under tremendous flak.

Now Kailash Kher has come up with a song for the Commonwealth Games

The preparations for the Commonwealth Games might have come under tremendous flak,but no one can blame Indian musicians for not doing their bit. After AR Rahman,Palash Sen,Daler Mehndi,Shibani Kashyap and Anand Raj Anand,the latest musician to come up with a song for the Commonwealth Games is Sufi-pop singer Kailash Kher with his tribute to the Games,Yaaron Jashn Manao,a three-minute Hindi song. Initially,Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit was scheduled to release the track,but now it will have a low-key online release on selected music websites on September 27. Every thing I see or read related to the Games is a criticism of it being mismanaged and how the funds are being swindled. I am simply highlighting what a moment of pride it is for the nation to host such an event barely 64 years after Independence, says Kher,who has written and composed the track. The song was produced with the help of Paresh and Naresh,two fellow musicians from his band,Kailasa.

The project which was self-initiated and completed in little over a fortnight is not inspired by any existing tracks for the CWG by other musicians. Would you believe,I have not heard a single track composed by other musicians for the Games. Not even Rahmans theme song. I just could not manage to listen to them because of my hectic schedule, he explains,adding that he is hopeful that his song will meet with favourable responses. I hope it is taken in good spirit, he quips. The lyrics for the song Rang Birangi Nai Naveli,Mehak Rahi Dilli,Yaaron Jashn Manao,Swagat Ko Tayyar Hai Dilli,Mere Sang Nachon Gaon he adds,are meant to evoke a sense of belonging and being a part of one big mela. The tempo of the song is groovy,with liberal use of percussion and characteristic influences of Khers sufi rhythm to the composition. Instead of talking about the negative things and the shortcomings in the Games,I am emphasising that celebrations can still happen in a measured manner, describes Kher,who has offered the song to the Delhi government for their use,which the government has agreed to use as part of its publicity for the Games. Kher intends to float an online contest later,inviting opinions from listeners on how to shoot a video for the song.

The song will be available for download on http://www.artistaloud.com and itunes from October 1

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram