22nd December, 2016

THE METRONOME/ BLOG POST 15

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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. 

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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. 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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