Gopi Sunder's kind gesture

The name of Thiruvananthapuram native Sreejith is now synonymous with the fight for justice being denied. His protest - demanding action against the police officials responsible for his brother Sreejeev’s death in custody, in front of the Secretariat, has now entered day 771. The people of Kerala have rallied behind the youth like never before with social media users organising a massive protest march and online campaigns, spreading the news of the young man’s plight across the world. Celebs of Mollywood too have thrown their might behind Sreejith in person and through their social media platforms. Music composer and singer Gopi Sunder has gone a step further and dedicated a song for Sreejith — the proceeds of which will go to Sreejith.    

The song Justice for Sreejith is trending on YouTube with close to 4 lakh views. This song evolved from a deep emotional turbulence Gopi felt. He explains, “I am not a person habituated to reading newspapers. But after understanding Sreejith’s hapless plight, I became emotionally disturbed. When I returned to my pending song composing work, I realised that I just could not concentrate on the songs. It was Sreejith’s face that stayed in my mind so I decided to dedicate a song for him.” That decision taken, Gopi called up B.K. Harinarayanan for the lyrics, composed the song and assembled the singers. “It was all done in one day,” he reveals. The 1 minute 53 second song is sung by Gopi Sunder, Sithara, Abhaya Hiranmayi and Mohammed Maqbool Mansoor. The lines of the song proclaim ‘you are not alone in your struggle; we are there with you in fierce strength.’

The income from the song will go to Sreejith. Happy that the four lines have found resonance amongst the listeners, Gopi says he has found a semblance of peace by composing this song. He mentions, “Whatever compliments are coming my way rightfully belong to Sreejith.” In an emotionally charged voice, he further says, “I made this song for purely emotional reasons and that is a first for me. I am a businessman-cum-music composer and a person who does not even lift a finger till I get my remuneration. But this song has not been done with any commercial purpose in mind but comes from the innards of my heart.”  He states that he is not a hero for composing this tribute song but it is Sreejith who is. “If I had a brother and such a fate were to befall him, I may not be doing what Sreejith is doing for nearly two years. Let alone me, how many young people would do it? It is the humanity in me that made me do this and if this song can bring good to Sreejith, I will be the happiest man.”