Shankar Mahadevan said that the anthem is an attempt to spread awareness through song.
Mumbai:
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Swachata Anthem on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), the man responsible for it will be far away in San Francisco. Shankar Mahadevan is on tour in the US and will miss out on the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister.
"I am really sad to be missing out on this but the tour was planned well in advance," said Mr Mahadevan in an interview to NDTV. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan is PM Modi's brainchild and has been quite a hit with the people. And while the extent of its success is still a matter of debate the anthem, he said is an attempt to spread awareness through song.
"We were approached by the Prime Minister's office and thought that a song is usually the best way of spreading awareness considering what you can communicate in a 1000 words can usually be communicated in a song of 3 minutes. A whole lot of singers are singing along with us. People like Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Akriti KAkkar and Udit Narayan are all a part of it. The icing on the cake is Sachin Tendulkar who is reciting a few lines of poetry at the top of the song." (Also Read: Classical Music Not Respected in India, as Abroad: Shankar Mahadevan)
Considering this is an anthem, it was important perhaps to keep it as simple as possible.
"Prasoon Joshi has used very simple words for this song. Damak damak damkega India, Chamak Chamak Chamkega India. It's like a movement and here's hoping that it makes a difference," he said.
Watch:
"I am really sad to be missing out on this but the tour was planned well in advance," said Mr Mahadevan in an interview to NDTV. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan is PM Modi's brainchild and has been quite a hit with the people. And while the extent of its success is still a matter of debate the anthem, he said is an attempt to spread awareness through song.
"We were approached by the Prime Minister's office and thought that a song is usually the best way of spreading awareness considering what you can communicate in a 1000 words can usually be communicated in a song of 3 minutes. A whole lot of singers are singing along with us. People like Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Akriti KAkkar and Udit Narayan are all a part of it. The icing on the cake is Sachin Tendulkar who is reciting a few lines of poetry at the top of the song." (Also Read: Classical Music Not Respected in India, as Abroad: Shankar Mahadevan)
Considering this is an anthem, it was important perhaps to keep it as simple as possible.
"Prasoon Joshi has used very simple words for this song. Damak damak damkega India, Chamak Chamak Chamkega India. It's like a movement and here's hoping that it makes a difference," he said.
Watch:
