When Sheila turned singer for Delhi's Games anthem

Published>Thu, Sep 02 10 05:17 AM

The Commonwealth Games anthem Dilli Meri Jaan, also touted as the Capital's song, has a new singer lending her voice to its words ? Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit herself.

The upbeat anthem starts off with Dikshit reciting the first few lines, pleasantly yet proudly announcing how the Capital becomes home to every stranger, and makes a friend of him.

The anthem, launched on August 25, has been playing on a few FM radio channels since then. Listeners were pleasantly surprised when it started with Dikshit calling out in a soft yet firm voice: Sheher woh, jo ghar ban jaye, Ajnabi bhi dost ban jaye... Sheher woh jo rishta ban jaye, mera ghar, mera pataa, meri shaan, Dilli... meri jaan...

Stating that lines were specifically penned for her, composer Palash Sen of rock band Euphoria, told Newsline, "My sister, Dahlia Sen Oberoi, wrote the lyrics and Sheilaji has been very gracious in agreeing to lend her voice. In fact, she was very enthusiastic about the song. Upon hearing it for the very first time, she wanted to be a part of it."

Sen recounted how Dikshit had come to his house in Saket on July 17, heard the lines and was ready to record after a brief practice session. "She recites the opening lines, setting the mood for the song, and we take it off thereafter. Sheilaji loved the song the very first time," he said.

He said that the rehearsal session lasted for barely half an hour, during which Sheila grasped the pace and rhythm of the song, and was ready to go.

"For a woman who took so much care to record a song, I can say for sure that she must have taken every step possible to make this event a success. We should all now prepare for the mega event, and not get bogged down by the negativity surrounding it," he added.

Dikshit's rendition has already created a buzz among her team of officials in the government, who have taken it upon themselves to popularise the anthem. A senior official said on the condition of anonymity: "It is for the first time that a Chief Minister has come forward to participate in such a gracious manner, and has herself called out to one and all ? making them feel at home. It is indeed a very warm gesture on her part to sportingly lend her voice."

Musical instruments such as sarang, sarod, electric guitar, drums and tabla were used during the making of the anthem. The video is under development.

Source: Web Search