Leading artistes have collaborated for the song Dharti Ma, a tribute to our planet. By Shailaja Khanna
I wanted to cry hearing those beautiful voices. These were 10 of India’s most versatile singers, who had come together to sing Dharti Ma to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our network,” said the president of Earth Day Network, Kathleen Rogers.
Saluting mother earth which has sustained life for centuries, the seven minute track is accompanied by great visuals. The pathos with which the lyrics are sung, during a time when we are taking stock and realising how much the earth means to each of us, is hard to miss. The music has been composed by
Chennai-based singer Amrit Ramnath. Not having access to the recording studio during lockdown was a challenge. The recordings from all the artistes were processed at Amrit’s home studio.
Recorded in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and San Francisco, the song is sung by Bombay Jayashri, Shankar Mahadevan, classical Carnatic vocalist Abhishek Raghuram, Kaushiki Chakravorty, Mahesh Kale, Shweta Mohan, Abhay Jodhpurkar, MD Pallavi and Hansraj Hans.
Through the music, each artiste appeals everyone to do everything that we need to do to protect our earth. Kaushiki said, “We all have a responsibility to protect nature and give our younger ones a better planet, a better future.” Other artistes too were glad for the opportunity that the song offered. “To be able to pay gratitude to Mother Earth and, that too, through a song with such diverse set of artists is rare. I am privileged to be associated with this song,” shared Mahesh.
The youngest of all, Abhay had grown up listening to all the artistes he worked with on this one. He said, “I am really grateful for being a part of Dharti Ma as these are artistes I have literally grown up listening to. Plus, I feel, one hardly gets a chance to sing a semi-classical song these days and for such a cause, it can’t get any better than this.”
Pallavi hoped, “We all emerge from this pandemic as more sensitive beings. I am glad I am a part of such an amazing cause.” Mahadevan praised Amrit. He said, “I loved what Amrit has composed. It’s an honour to sing the same song as all the singers are stalwarts.”
Singer Shweta Mohan felt this song was needed now more than ever. Representing Kerala, she sang her lines in Malayalam. “I am a budding environmentalist, so I am really happy to be a part of this project. Sharing credits with some really big names in the music industry means a lot to me,” said she.
“Awaaz mein jo dard nikla hai, ye haalat ki wajeh se tha. Insaan phas gaya hai. Humme pray karna hai ki dharti ma humme bacha lo (The pain in our voice is on account of the fact that we all are stuck. We should pay that Mother Earth should save us),” said Hansraj Hans.
(The song releases on April 22.)