MUMBAI: Grammy and Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman and celebrated lyricist-poet Gulzar are once again collaborating, this time for the official song of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, Bhubaneswar 2018.
The lyrics of the track, titled “Jai Hind Hind, Jai India”, has been penned by the veteran lyricist. The song will have a blend of poetry and pulsating rhythm.
Coming together of these
two legends will not only inspire the players but will
also get the entire nation together to support this wonderful game unfolding
in Odisha at the World CupNaveen Patnaik, CM
The Odisha government roped in Rahman for composing the song.
“Nothing says India more than our beloved sport hockey. And nothing is more exciting than the world’s biggest hockey tournament happening right here, on our turf. The Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, Bhubaneswar 2018,” Rahman said in a statement.
“It’s heart-warming to see the entire nation pledge their heartbeats for hockey. As an extension of pledging our heartbeats, Gulzar Sahab and I have created the World Cup Song. A song that will excite and inspire, as also get you on your feet. Join me in this celebration of hockey — of not just our men in blue but the spirit of the game, the spirit of universal oneness,” he added.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he was looking forward to see Rahman perform in Odisha. Rahman is slated to perform live at the opening ceremony November 27.
“We are delighted to have AR Rahman compose the song for the Odisha Hockey World Cup. It will be an honour to have him perform live in Bhubaneswar. He is the voice of India and now with this song, the voice of India is the voice of the world cup.
“We are also fortunate to have Gulzar Sahab add his poetic magic to the composition. Coming together of these two legends will not only inspire the players but will also get the entire nation together to support this wonderful game unfolding in Odisha at the world cup,” the CM said.
Rahman is also directing the song’s video, which will be shot across the hockey heartlands of India. The song is set to release at the Kalinga Stadium inauguration scheduled for early October.
The 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup will be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 15, 2018. A total of 16 countries are participating in the 14th edition of the tournament.
This is the third time India is hosting the event after having organised it in 1982 in Mumbai and in 2010 in New Delhi.