BHUBANESWAR: The recently released anthem song for men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 Asa Kariba Bobaal by Mika Singh is already a chartbuster in the state. However, there are some who have objected to the selection of Singh for this particular song.
Popular singer Krishna Beuraa, who has lent his voice to songs like Maula Mere and Main Jahan Rahoon among others, had recently tweeted about the selection of Singh for the Odia song composed by Gudly Rath and directed by Susant Mani.
He tweeted, “Nothing against @MikaSingh he has done a great job as usual, the question is, will a Hockey World cup held in Punjab would ever give a chance to an Odia artist to sing anthem for them?? Ans: NO This is sad.”
On a brief interaction with Orissa Post, he said, “I have nothing against Mika, he is a close friend. My question is that why was I, Sona Mohapatra or any other singer from Odisha not taken as the main voice for the anthem of this historic event. Are Odia singers so incapable that we need a Punjabi or Tamil singer to sing an Odia song? Secondly, the biggest film on Hockey ever made in Bollywood was Chak De India. Shah Rukh Khan and I were a big part of that movie. I had lent my voice to the main song of that movie which won multiple awards. Reuniting with Khan for this event would have been such a nostalgic moment for me.”
Many twitter users supported the singer and added that an Odia artiste should have got the chance to sing at such a huge platform. However, some twitter users stated that Mika’s involvement enhanced the popularity of the song.
Producer of the music video Nila Madhab Panda said “An Odia producer, Odia music director, Odia female singer and Odia director comprised the whole team involved in the song. The choice of Mika Singh as the lead singer is due to the fact that we needed a certain kind of voice for this song. The decision was taken by our director Manav Rath and music director Goodly Rath.”
He also said, “Why did no one complain when Anuradha Paudwal, Lata Mangeskar or Udit Narayan lent their voice to Odia songs. There are songs which compel us to choose a certain voice. We should rather be proud of the fact that outsiders are taking part in our culture and tradition.”
Composer of the song Goodly Rath said, “ This is “World Cup Hockey” not “Odisha Cup” As Mika Sing being a world figure, I found him to be the best entertaining singer for my song. Actually one should try to cope with the latest trends of music to stay in the mind and heart of audience, rather than tweeting silly stuffs for publicity stunt.And finally I am grateful to Padamshree Nila Madhab Panda for believing in me, and all the Odisha people for appreciating the song which is a great reward for me. he said. Also Lipsa Mohapatra is a very talented and popular singer in Odisha.
Singer Abhijeet Mishra said that it was the decision of the authorities to select Mika as he has the power to attract a huge number of admirers.
Grammy and Oscar winning composer AR Rahman was selected to compose and sing the theme song of the men’s Hockey World Cup 2018. Lyrics of the song are penned by Gulzar.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP