21 music artists come together for new 'Vande Mataram'

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) As many as 21 top-notch music artists, including singers Sonu Niigaam, Shankar Mahadevan and Sunidhi Chauhan and musicians like Amaan Ali and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, have lent their voice and hand for a new rendition of India's national song "Vande mataram".

The contemporary version of "Vande Mataram", released by Veecon Music and Entertainment, is composed by renowned percussionist Bickram Ghosh.

"My version of 'Vande Mataram' is introspective and philosophical. It is the national song woven into a new melody 64 years after independence. It is not a song of uprising as was the mainstay of the original song. I've created a melody straight from my heart and the finest of India's artists have executed it," Ghosh said in a statement.

Apart from Niigaam, Mahadevan and Chauhan, the new rendition has singers Shaan, Shubha Mudgal, Roop Kumar Rathod, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Kaushiki Desikan, Manoj Tiwari, Palash Sen, and popular band Indian Ocean.

Musicians who have played instruments for it include Kamal Sabri (sarangi), Niladri Kumar (sitar), Ganesh and Kumaresh (violins), Pandit Ronu Majumdar (flute), Rajhesh Vaidhya (veena), besides of course Khan (sarod), Bhatt (mohanveena) and Ghosh (tabla, kanjeera, percussions).

Ghosh says the experience has been "enriching", and hopes it infuses a sense of patriotism in the citizens.

"I hope people find this 'Vande Mataram' inspiring and feel proud to be Indian. This song is an ode to our India, the India of the times we live in. The India of today is strong, serene and beautiful. I hope the song makes you feel that," said Ghosh, a day ahead of the Republic Day.

A video for the song has been shot for the song as well, says J.K. Srivastava.

"It fills my heart with joy and pride to present to you the finest album based on India's national song as our tribute to our motherland," said Srivastava.

"Besides bringing together a diverse ensemble of India's leading music icons, we have shot the video using as many as 24 different grand sets spread all over India, making it very vibrant and colourful. By bringing together the genius of artists from across the country, our edition of 'Vande Mataram' truly reflects India's 'unity in diversity'," he added.