16 Aug : It will be another 10 days before the CW Games theme song is officially launched but Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman promised it would be worth the wait as his ‘Yaaro India bula liya’ would be unlike anything that has happened before.
Rahman said the song would go beyond Shakira’s chart-buster for this year’s soccer World Cup ‘Waka Waka’.
Rahman said the launch of the song will have to wait some more because he is still giving some final touches.
“I have been working on the song for the past six months. It is in my voice with a chorus and I promise that it will be a big part of the celebration and will be unlike anything that has happened before in India,” the celebrated musician told reporters.
Rahman, however, refused to give details about the song beyond the opening line ‘Yaaro India bula liya’, saying it would be better if it is launched properly.
“I can’t reveal much because I have to tweak the lyrics a bit and add some sound elements. But the song is about India, about energy, winning and not giving up. We want the crowd to sing along with us at the opening ceremony. It is simple but not simplistic,” he said.
Rahman has also planned an orchestra and a dedication to the country’s cultural heritage and Mahatma Gandhi.
Rahman said that he was initially apprehensive whether the GoM will like the song but they liked the song.
“I was a little bit apprehensive if they will like it because the Group of Minister consist of aged people but they all liked and approved it,” he said.
The GoM heard the rendition of the theme song composed by Rahman.
“We discussed the theme song among ourselves and AR Rahman, (Film Director)Shyam Benegal and (Producer) Bharat Bala. The GoM has approved the theme song in principle. It will be before public in another 10 days,” Reddy said. He said some final touches have to be given for the song.
Organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the theme will make every Indian proud.
“The GOM gave us their consent in the 26th meeting yesterday and I am sure Rahman’s song will make every Indian happy and it will spread awareness,” he said.
The opening ceremony will have Rahman performing live.
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who heads the CWG cultural committee, was also present along with noted dancer Shovana Narayan, creative head of the committee Bharat Bala and director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, Viraf Sarkari.
With the mega sporting event just seven weeks away and hit by allegations of corruption and financial irregularities, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who headed the GoM, made it clear there is no change in schedule and said there should not be any concern over some delays in meeting deadlines in the readiness of the stadia to host the events.
Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the beleaguered Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, said “Everything is going well. I liked the song.”
The GoM was also meeting for the first time after alleged corruption and financial irregularities rocked the Games and against the backdrop of missed deadlines for the readiness of several stadia in the Capital.
Singh directly stepped in on Sunday and reviewed preparations for the games.
The others in the GoM include Sports Minister M S Gill.Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also attended the meeting.