A salaam to the people's president
The video of the song is set to be released in a grand function that is going to be held at Rameswaram today.
It is going to be two years since we lost our beloved former president APJ Abdul Kalam, and now for his second death anniversary, a tribute song has been composed by music director Ghibran. The video of the song is set to be released in a grand function that is going to be held at Rameswaram today.
The song titled, Salaam Kalam, has been penned by ‘Kavi Perarasu’ Vairamuthu, and singer Sid Sriram has crooned the number. DC got in touch with the director, singer and the composer about the song and on how Kalam holds a special place in their hearts.
Sid, who is known for his song Thalli Pogathe, says he immediately agreed to sing the song when Kalam House, the organisation behind the whole event, approached him — “Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is a true visionary and one of the greatest leaders, intellectuals and human beings the world has ever seen. It was a true honour to sing this inspirational song in celebration of Dr Kalam.”
About his collaboration with Ghibran, he says, “I am working with Ghibranji for the first time, and I love this composition. It’s different from everything else I’ve done, and I think it shows a different part of my voice.” He adds, “It’s always been a dream of mine to work on a song written by the legendary Vairamuthu sir — with ‘Kalam Salaam’ that dream has come true.”
The song, produced by Swarnabhoomi Academic Institutions (SAI), has been composed in three languages — Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. “While the Tamil version has been sung by Sid Sriram, the Telugu and Hindi versions have been composed by SP Balasubramaniam and Benny Dayal respectively. The song will be sung by about five lakh students at the event,” says Ghibran’s manager.
During the memorial event, an award will also be presented by the House of Kalam to the young composer for his achievements and contributions to music.
DC also got in touch with Vasanth, the director of the visuals of the song, who is a great follower of the iconic figure himself — “The best way to carry the memories of great people is to make a film or at least a music video about them. Their thoughts and contributions can effectively be reinforced in lyrics. ‘Dreams are not what you see in your sleep. They are the things that do not let you sleep,’ is one of his famous sayings — the exact translation is captured in the song. How can you express this quote better than in form of a song?” exclaims Vasanth.
“I have shot in many significant places for the three-minute song — in Delhi, Mumbai, Leh-Ladakh, and Rameswaram. All through the shoot, for the past two months, I have been reliving his memories. I am super motivated and happy.”
It is also said that PM Narendra Modi might be visiting Rameswaram for the inauguration of the memorial for Abdul Kalam.