BENGALURU: People often fail to see the differently abled as equals, with a right to a life with dignity. What better way to communicate this to them, than with a triumphant song?
The famous Bollywood singer Shanker Mahadevan launched a special song titled ‘Garv Se Jiyenge’ on Sunday which he described as “special”, “beautiful” and “important”.
The song has been composed for an ongoing campaign called “Garv Se” that was launched by Enable India – an NGO that aims to empower the differently abled – in collaboration with the Accessible India Campaign under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The aim of the campaign is to reach 10,000 Indians by December 3, the World Disability Day.
“I love to use the power of music to inspire people. I admire Enable India’s work in creating a platform to provide employment to people with disabilities and get them to live a life with dignity. Garv Se Jiyenge does just that,” says Shankar Mahadevan.
The song sends across a message of equality and the right of every individual to live a life of dignity. Some of the lyrics of the songs goes as - “jitni dhup teri, utni hi meri, jitni chand tera, utna hi mera… garv se jiyengae hum,” (As much the sun is yours, it is mine. As much the moon is yours, it is mine. We will live with dignity). The music video features many other differently abled persons with blindness to physical disability and cerebal palsy. The music video was shot for a period of two weeks in Bengaluru.
Shankar live streamed the launch of the video on Facebook and it quicky went viral.
Lyrics Writing Competition
As part of social programme initiative of Shankar Mahadevan Academy, lyrics competition was also held last year. The academy recieved about 50 lyrics from 17 countries and one winner was declared early this year. The winner was Jyoti Kundar from the academy. Her lyrics were sung and composed by Shankar Mahadevan.
Dipesh Sutaria, founder of Enable India, and Sridhar Ranganathan, founder of Shankar Mahadevan Academy, have plans to collaborate further.
“We hope it becomes an anthem for the disabled,” says Dipesh.
Attempts are being made for the song to be telecast on various channels. “It will be finalised in a week,” adds Dipesh.