Journalism of Courage
Singer-composer Vaishali Samant goes the Latino way for her first English composition
Chika pika rola rika go the songs lyrics. The words mean nothing on their own,but when the song swells in Usha Uthups inimitable voice,the lyrics combine with the music in an explosion of energy and excitement. Exactly as singer-composer Vaishali Samant had envisioned the track. The director of Kho Kho asked me to compose a promotional song for the film. I thought that since it is a promotional song,it has to be unique and hatke. I have played kho kho and I knew the song had to be peppy and energetic to capture the spirit of the game, says Samant,who is a well-known Marathi vocalist and has also composed for a few films such as Yanda Kartavya Ahe and Galgale Nighale in the past.
I imagined it as a stadium song; it should have the energy of cheer girls. I kept thinking of who could sing this song and then I heard Usha Uthup singing at a concert. She sang in Hindi,Bengali,Marathi and I said wow, says Samant.
The track Life is Kho currently has one version with a combination of Marathi,Hindi and English lyrics,although Samant and Uthup plan to record an English version soon,which will be Samants first English track. The singer-composer is excited about the Latino influences in the composition. I love Latino music and grabbed this opportunity to explore it. This song proves that language is never a barrier. Didi said,Vaishali,this is exactly my style,lets record it. She was excited about singing in Marathi and said she wanted to do it because she is from Mumbai, says Samant.
The song,Samant says,relates the game kho kho to the game of life. One player runs and the others chase. We say kho diya and that means to pass on responsibility. Similarly life hume kho deti hai, she says.
Listening to the song now,she says she is happy with the way it has turned out. Working with a legendary singer such as Uthup has been wonderful. She is so versatile and has a truly international voice. She always beautifies songs with her expressions, she says. For Samant,the track has another significance.
This is the first time didi has worked with a female composer. This is such a big thing for me. She completely surrendered to my vision and knew exactly what I wanted and she delivered much more, she says.
