The Score Magazine - Archive February 2009 issue! | Page 42

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The Score Magazine
A
little past midnight television networks around
the planet began streaming red-tinged frantic
updates, continuously and untiringly; the date-
26/11, the day that would perhaps mar 2008
with one of the starkest endings it could possibly afford.
Little did most of the populace suspect that the course
of the next three days would provide fodder for one of
the greater stories ever told, at least this side of the sub-
continent; one that would vanquish the glories of Olym-
pic victory and sideline the escapades of the cricketing
world.
India reeled under one of the most audacious series of
terror attacks, deployed in the oft-frequented gateway
to the country, Mumbai, that dark day. However, what
eventually came through as truly remarkable was not the
glimpses of blood and bodies grieved over by hordes nor
the site of a city’s heritage laid waste by flames and ter-
ror, but the near instant response that the nation exhib-
ited, in unison; one of pure, irrefutable solidarity.
For many, that gesture has served as a point of inspiration
to contribute towards the gradual process of rebuilding,
in whichever way they saw fit.
The music community is seldom left behind and did re-
spond with a spate of tributes and gestures across the
country. Crowds were hushed into silence at tribute con-
certs and many a song dedicated toward every life lost.
One of the largest gestures with a far spread reach ema-
nated from a compact studio housed in the palatial seat
of the Nawab of Arcot, Amir Mahal, nestled in the city of
Chennai, nearly 800 miles away.
Within those sound proof walls, worked the combined
musical genius of acclaimed rapper/vocalist Blaaze and
reputed composer Prince Ali. Seasoned musicians both,
they have composed the song that is quickly gaining mo-
mentum as the voice of the resolute revolution – ‘Inqui-
lab-Stand Up & Unite’. Like most songs, this is one track
that has a story to it as well; albeit one with a reason. And
for once, it was a reason that every one identified with,
eventually.
To set the record straight, the conception of the song was
done a little before the actual attacks, and for slightly
more idealistic purposes, “We had already written it, for
India for unity, for integration, for secularism, for inquilab
and we were not waiting for any event to happen,” says
the Prince, rather soberly.
Most artists are understandably zealous about their work
and do not launch it without the highest platform attain-
able, being reached. Which is, of course a commercial
perspective; after all musicians need their daily bread
too, in these times of instantaneous piracy. Throwing
those norms out of the window, the duo decided to put
the track up for free download, on Blaaze’s official site, “It
was very kind of Prince Ali to be ok with releasing the sin-
gle online. The terror attack affected me so much that the
message of wanting to Stand Up & Unite seemed to be so
strong that it was not going to be possible to go begging
record labels to pay attention and have a heart. So it only
seemed fair to give it to the world for free, right now,”
says the flushed rapper. A statement that the Prince was
completely in accord with, “We were in agreement over
releasing it online. Normally there is disagreement when
there is money involved. We made this song for the coun-
try, with all our heart and soul. Money comes as a bonus
here.”
Of course, there would be a hitch; quite simply the fact
that the original scratch was completely in English. And
absolutely everyone would agree that in a country like
ours, language can be such a barrier with a song’s ap-
peal, as far as lyrics themselves go. Which set the duo in
motion, with the timely assistance of Raqueeb Alam “In
India, most of the people aren’t into English and there
are so many languages. So Raqueeb wrote a Hindi ver-
sion of the song for maximum reach. Of course, it was a
translation of the message; Indianized for the common
man to understand. ‘Stand Up and Unite’ was the only
phrase that made it from the original song,” explains the
composer.
The song is a rather mystic blend beginning with the
haunting chants of ‘Stand Up…’ that echo throughout the
song, with increasing fortitude as the song progresses. An
ensemble of Indian percussion driven rhythm provides
quite a rousing treat for the s