CWG ki Dhoom

Doctor, singer, composer, and now film music director Palash Sen was literally in a state of euphoria after an extended meeting with Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit on Friday evening.
The Dhoom-er came out of the meeting and told us that what he had been working on for the past few months had finally gotten approved and finalised. “There are two versions of the CWG 2010 anthem – English and Hindi,” reveals the singer, “One is named Gateway To Your Heart and the other, Dilli Meri Jaan.Delhi is all about heart and emotions na, hence the titles.”
But why two versions? “Gateway..., a two-and-a-half-minute song, is in English so as to be able to connect with the foreign audience of the Games. It will be played August onwards internationally,” he explains. Dilli Meri Jaan, the Hindi version meant especially for Delhiites, he divulges, is courtesy a special request by the CM, “to encourage the jazba and junoon of Delhiites. It will be played all over Delhi, July onwards. It was all her idea.” Interestingly, this Dilliwallah had composed this song almost 10 years ago, which is being used now.
A 30-seconder of the anthem’s English version will also be played at the FIFA World Cup on June 11. “Rina Ray, tourism, art and culture secretary, and Sindhu Mishra, secretary, Sahitya Kala Parishad, got the idea that this could be played at FIFA as well. Hence I had to speed up,” he explains. To give it an international feel, Palash will be recording Gateway... in London. “Along with my bandmates and Eric Pillai, I’ll be recording it at legendary guitarist Mark Knopsler’s Studio in London, one of the best studios in the world. I’m also using the popular Soweto Gospel Choir for the same.” His son, Kinshuk, will also be a part of the chorus.
So how did all of this happen? “One day, I got a call from Sindhuji asking me if I can compose and sing the anthem, and I cheerfully said, ‘Neki aur poochh poochh!’ I was kinda nervous while presenting the song before Sheila Dikshit, but when I saw her tapping her feet and clapping, I knew what was going to happen,” he grins.
Will he be in the two videos? “I hope so,” he laughs. “Actually, nothing’s been planned as of now.” His wish, however, is to show “through the video, what Delhi used to be, the essence of our city – the lanes of Daryaganj, the galis of Chandni Chowk... the kulfi vendors, Sita Ram ke chhole bhature... – and contrast it with the present day Delhi – the Metro, the flyovers, the fast-paced life et al.”
The lead vocalist of Euphoria is also making his debut this year as a film music director for a Malayalam film called Best Of Luck, and Euphoria’s fifth album will be out in September. “It will be a digital album and we’re hoping the album will be released by the time of the CWG,” the musician says.
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