MUMBAI: While most musicians were busy working on new versions of the ‘National Anthem’ and ‘National Song’ for Indian Independence Day, indie artist K.C. Loy was busy creating a single that focuses on an issue that India faces today titled ‘Ab Nahi’.
The seed of this idea was planted in Loy’s mind a year ago but making ends meet was a task. However, it all fell in place by 15 August, 2015 - India's 69th Independence Day.
“The thought cropped up a year ago. This was the time when I was bogged down with the news of atrocities towards women and kids. That's when I felt that enough was enough and that one had to take action before a crime was committed for the law comes in the picture much later. The worse is that victims are looked down at, as though they have committed a crime. As a musician I felt the best way of expressing this was through music,” stated the artist.
Though the noble thought was in place, Loy had to get an investor onboard and that's when director Sangeet Sivan came in the picture. Sivan, who has directed films like, ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum’ and ‘Apna Sapna Money Money,’ has been Loy's friend for a long-time now.
“Sangeet felt that the concept was a great opportunity and agreed to invest his time, without expecting any monetary gains. We further went on to join hands with Viscomm Films; they liked the concept too and agreed to produce it. This, even while knowing that they wouldn’t be earning anything out of it. Even Aashish Rego of Shazam Studio gave us the place for free. So, basically everything fell in place,” averred Loy.
The musician has kept the music of ‘Ab Nahi’ limited to acoustic. “You will hear the mouth harp by Kunal Naik and other acoustic sounds but hardly any electronic instruments. The music had to be hard hitting with the vocals growing from zero to hundred,” said he.
The single had to be recorded in five days as their team started working on it on 9 August, 2015 – a date not too far away from Independence Day. In fact, the final product was only ready on 14 August, 2015 and made available for public viewing on 15 August, 2015.
On choosing Independence Day as ‘Ab Nahi’s’ release date, he stated, “We got freedom from the British but we are still being oppressed. And the worst thing is that we like being that way. We are fine with being illiterate. We do not want to stand up and educate ourselves. Frankly speaking I am scared to step out physically and fight against these atrocities. In fact, I tried doing that once and got bashed up by seven to eight auto drivers. So, now I use my intelligence to stand against it. I believe that hope is something that keeps us alive and Independence Day was the best day to raise these issues.”
At the end of it, Loy just hopes for his video to ring a bell in a few hearts if not all.