The guys behind Project Unite want to feature you in a video of the National Anthem. It's about the new India, not Bollywood celebs and pyjama-clad politicians. On Youtube on August 15, and on Mid Day online
The guys behind Project Unite want to feature you in a video of the National Anthem. It's about the new India, not Bollywood celebs and pyjama-clad politicians. On Youtube on August 15, and on Mid Day online
Two weeks ago, four hairstylists, two music producers, two actors, a TV producer, a choreographer jammed together with a full-time vocalist to re-record the National Anthem.
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The essence of Jana Gana Mana remains intact. What changes is the fact that people from diverse fields have come together to work on Project Unite, a venture mirroring the change that the country is currently experiencing.
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u00a0Hairstylist to Bollywood stars John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, Sapna Bhavnaniu00a0 spent the last few months watching various anthems on YouTube, but did not find a single video that featured us; the citizens of the country. She wasn't the only one to feel like that.
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"When Sapna called to tell me about the project, I connected to the concept instantly. When you go to the movies, you see these dinosaur's singing the National Anthem. What you really want to see is a modern representation of Jana Gana Mana," says Randolph Correia, music producer for the project.
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"Our cities are taking on a new avatar, our art and culture is changing, and we need to represent that in the images that are associated with the National Anthem," he adds.
Step 1 led to the need for a video that would capture India in the here and now. Sapna tweeted about the project, while other members sent out emails urging people to join in.
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"We want people to go outside and shoot footage of themselves even it's next to their chaiwalla or panwalla, it's alright. Just show your India to us, and we will edit it to make a video," Sapna urges. This video will be released on YouTube on Independence Day.
Project Unite desperately wants to change the images that a mention of India evokes. "When people define India, they think of slums, or cows, elephants, tigers and snakes. Because that is the image being projected," says vocalist Krittika Sharma.
There is an urgent need to alter the clich ufffds associated with the country. "We just want to be seen as who we are. We don't have to look Indian, dress in salwar-kameez and sport black hair to sing Jana Gana Mana," says Sugandha Garg, actor and vocalist on track.
In their swift attempt to make a difference, the group, however, hasn't "messed with" the spirit of the Anthem. "We could have made it into a Jazz or Hip-Hop version, but that's not the point. We're being true to what the National Anthem stands for," says Arijit Datta, music producer and vocalist on track.
The Anthem's strength is the overwhelming respect it stirs up for the nation, and the group wanted to keep that intact. "When we were recording the vocals, whoever went to sing their part and no matter how many takes anyone took, everyone stood through the entire recording process. Even the chaiwalla who'd drop in at the studio would stand in respect when one of us sang the Anthem," recalls Sapna.
The Anthem has the resilient capability of uniting the country. "I know this is a massive project, but I also know that it is a small step in showcasing us as a united country," concludes Sapna.u00a0
Get yourself featured in the video
Film yourself outdoors (any place that symbolises your city) and send in your videos by August 10 to the following address: Mad O Wot Productions, Hemkund Society, Plot No 450, 14th Road, TPS III, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050.u00a0 Or if the clip is small enough then you can just email it to madmadowot@gmail.com
| Who's behind Project Unite? |
| Randolph Correia: Music Producer |
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