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on 2006/7/22 7:01:04
This is Akshay Kumar’s message for victims of the serial blasts that rocked Mumbai on July 7, 2006.
The message appears in the inlay card for a Punjabi album that Akshay has lent his voice to. In fact, he will soon be seen delivering this message in a music video for a devotional hymn that he has recorded for the same album.
Known for singing hymns during religious rituals in his household, Akshay Kumar has lent his voice to a shabad gurbani (devotional hymn).
The hymn is part of an album called Nirgun Raakh Leeya, to be launched by T-Series in the coming week. Recorded six months back at a suburban studio, the hymn states that God is all-pervading and no religion teaches violence.
Says Akshay, “This album is close to my heart for obvious reasons. I would like to dedicate this song and the video to all those who lost their lives on that fateful day. It is quite sad when something like this happens.”
Vocal exercise
We hear that the religious-minded actor had always aspired to release an album of devotional songs.
“It was always at the back of my mind to sing a devotional song. This is a realisation of my heart felt desire,” says Akshay. He teamed up with good friend Bhushan Kumar, chairman and managing director of T-Series, for the project.
However, the actor remained sceptical about the potential of his vocal chords during the exercise. Says Bhushan Kumar, “Akshay was very particular about the way he sounded.
During the initial stages, he recorded a paragraph which then took rounds of my studio artistes. To be honest, we were quite overwhelmed and only after getting a satisfactory feedback did Akshay agree to step into the recording studio.”
Ask him to rate Akshay as a singer, and Bhushan says, “The professional that he is, I must say that he has done justice to it. You have to hear the song to believe it.”
Secular spirit
The music video featuring the actor has been shot extensively across different religious places, villages and cities across the country.
Says Bhushan Kumar, “The video has a very strong social message. We seek to transcend all man-made barriers on the pretext of religion.” Adds Akshay, “Trust me, no religion preaches violence. So spread the word and keep the faith.”
Secular in spirit, the video goes on air tomorrow. “With the 7/11 blasts paralysing innocent lives, we couldn’t think of a better time to release the album,” says Kumar. The proceeds from the sale of the album will go towards the rehabilitation of blast victims.
Mumbai…. The city that never sleeps. On 11 July hundreds slept their last sleep, even as their families stayed awake waiting for them to return. Some are still waiting….
This video is dedicated to all those who lost their lives that fateful day, and to their families who still can’t sleep. This is a wake up call for the entire nation. Let’s put our hands together and pray for peace. No religion preaches violence. So spread the word, keep the faith...
source:mid-day
