Folk Music For A Swasth India: Launch Of Hygiene Music Album In Tamil

The soul of India lies in its art, culture, music, dance, festivals and customs. Tapping into the rich culture of folk music in India, Dettol Banega Swasth India through Dettol X Hindu Tamil Thisai initiative - Folk Music for a Swasth India, launched a hygiene music album in Tamil on April 28, 2023.

The melodious and foot-tapping folk songs aim to spread the message of hygiene and health in an innovative and fun way. The lyrics of the song have been carefully articulated to highlight key messages from the Dettol School Hygiene Curriculum.

The initiative is backed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu with an intention to create hygiene nudges through folk music and build a deeper connection between health and hygiene in a fun way.

Composed by James Vasanthan, the album has five songs, all available on Spotify. The songs focus on creating a healthy Tamil Nadu; the significance of handwashing; maintaining hygiene at home, school and neighbourhood.

Talking about the songs and how they will take the message of health and hygiene forward, James Vasanthan, Music Composer of Hygiene Music Album said, "India, which is a fast-developing nation, needs to pull up its socks on various fronts. Hygiene is, of course, one. Dettol Banega Swasth India, with its record of creating hygiene awareness among the masses up north, has now come down to the south with its effective media campaigns. The one releasing now in Tamil is a big leap that will take this land to the next level, where it already excels in primary health and hygiene."

Thiru Ma. Subramanian, Minister For Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu launched the album and said: "Hindu Tamil Thisai and Dettol Banega Swasth India joined hands and produced an online series - Sutham Sugatharam - last year. The programme sensitised thousands of students, teachers and parents across Tamil Nadu on the importance of sustained hygiene behaviour for healthy living. In the prevailing situation, there is a need to stress the importance of hygiene behaviour to the people of Tamil Nadu."

Ravi Bhatnagar Director of External Affairs and Partnerships, SOA, Reckitt opines music is one of the mediums that has the power to connect with audiences and deliver social messages effectively. He said, "With the growing popularity of folk music and the rich culture of Tamil Nadu, we believe this Tamil Hygiene Music Album is a great step towards our vision of bringing behavioral changes across the state. With Dettol Banega Swasth India, we are constantly on the lookout for unique opportunities and partnerships which can deliver impactful changes at the grassroot level to create a ‘Swasth India'."