22nd December, 2016
THE METRONOME/ BLOG POST 15
The year 2016 draws to a close. A year that has seen many ups and downs, disillusionments and shaken bonds, over events that have polarised the world, in ways stronger than ever before. A time for retrospection, a time to look back at our friendships over the years through a wider lens, to cherish the little meaningful ways in which we are still able to connect with one another as human beings.
I'm attempting my first real collaboration at The Metronome, with A Song for My Friends, where I get together with Liza, Hrishi and Ayan to perform the song, that combines the video, shot by C B with still photographs taken by Maya. Liza is one of my oldest friends, the one who introduced me to choral music and my first ever choir. She is a documentary film maker and an educator at one of India's leading film, TV, digital media and gaming institutes. Maya lives in Chicago - she and I go way back to a common hostel where I was doing my undergrad in Architecture, and she, her post grad in Transport planning. She's also a fabulous photographer, and has had her work featured in many international publications. She posts her pics regularly on Instagram. Hrishi and Ayan are two of my youngest friends - they're an insanely talented guitarist - pianost duo, and both of them write, compose, produce, perform and sing their own music as well. They have their own YouTube channel where they post their work frequently.
SONG AND VIDEO CREDITS :
Vocals : Liza ( Elizabeth Zopari ), Hrishi Giridhar, Ayan Banerjee, Sawan Dutta
Guitars : Hrishi Giridhar
Keys : Sawan Dutta, Ayan Banerjee
Song written, composed, produced by Sawan Dutta
Still photographs : Maya Tatineni
Video : C. B. Arun Kumar and Sawan Dutta
SONG LYRICS :
Here's a song I dedicate
To the many friends I've made
To bonds that stand the test of time
To friendships that won't fade
The friends we love, the friends we fear
The friends we call up once a year
The friends with whom we drink and dine
The friends we only know online
We've had our ups we've had our downs
Saffron kings and orange clowns
We've spoken words that we regret
Said some bitter words, and yet
When we look back on our lives
When all our deeds are done
We shall meet in magic lands
Where the water meets the sun
And know, whenever you hear
This song playing on your phone
That your friends both far and near
Are with you, you're not alone