This year’s Republic Day saw the release of two new songs honouring the country.
Tabla maestro Bickram Ghosh has teamed up with Grammy award-winning composer Ricky Kej for a special Republic Day parade score ‘Vande Bharatam’.
The Union ministry of Defence and Ministry of Culture commissioned the project which sees the two artistes collaborate for the first time. The 12-minute song features musicians from all over the country and was performed with more than 500 dancers during the annual Republic Day parade.
Commenting on the occasion, Ricky Kej posted to his social media, “It has been an honour to collaborate with virtuoso musician (and my good friend) Bickram Ghosh to create an epic musical for the 75th year of independence”.
He added, “500 dancers will perform live to our music! It’s been amazing working with Bickram, whom I have learnt so much from, and with all the maestros who contributed so much. Very grateful to the Ministry of Culture of India. Some of the finest dancers of the country are choreographing this performance.”
Mallakhamb matters
The second track released is ‘Bolenge Vande Matram’ which is aimed at promoting and creating awareness about Mallakhamb, a traditional sport, in which gymnasts perform aerial yoga or various gymnastic postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope. The word Mallakhamb also refers to the wooden pole used in the sport.
‘Bolenge Vande Mataram’ has been performed by Anup Jalota, Anjjan Bhattacharya, Kissu Rajput, Mk Roy and Garima Joshi. It has been and produced, directed and conceptualised by Rohit Y Prasad with cinematography by Amit Singh. The music is composed by Mk Roy and Kissu Rajput with lyrics by Mk Roy.
Mallakhamb which has been featured in the video, has been performed by ‘Group Mallakhamb Ek Dhyas’ under the guidance of Coach Late. Shri Dattaram Dudam, Rahul Pathare, Mukesh Velonde, Deepali Dudam, Manasi Tanawade, Sankalp Sanjay Bhoir and Chetan Patil. The Digital Partner for the music video is Seologix produced under Celoso Film Productions and released by Core Music.
Anjjan Bhattacharya said in a statement, “I’m very excited that I could share this song with Anup and with young talents like MK Roy, Kissu Rajput and Garima Joshi, who are not just wonderful artists but also warm people. All three Artist tones are very distinct and take the song to the next level. The track has turned out to be beautiful, and I’m confident people will love it. Producer and director Rohit Prasad is very passionate and dedicated to his work.
Arjit Biswas said, “It was nice working with Rohit. He is very dedicated and enthusiastic. Hats off to him to show such courage in completing this project in such a short span of time, overcoming all hindrances in such a critical time period.”
Listen to Vande Bharatam and Bolenge Vande Matram
