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

www.highonscore.com 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