Indian diplomat-poet Abhay K’s Earth Anthem launches globally, praised by UNESCO

Jununeun Junuune BRASILIA: An Earth Anthem penned by poet-diplomat Abhay K, put to music by maestro L Subramaniam and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, was launched in Brasilia on World Environment Day.

On the occasion, a Brazilian version of Earth Anthem was translated into Portuguese, composed and rendered by Brasilia Brass band and sung by Brazilian singer Babi Cereja was also released.

Inspired by the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam from the ancient Indian text of Upanishad, and the blue marble image of the Earth taken from space by the crew of Apollo 17, Abhay K penned Earth Anthem in 2008 in St Petersburg, Russia. It has been translated into 30 major languages spoken across the globe since then, said a statement.

Elaborating upon the need for an Earth Anthem, Abhay said: “Whichever country we come from, we all have our planet in common. A tribute NelsNelsonlsoon Manaandeladella geteets pprisonison SoutSouthut AfriAfricarica.ca BritBriitainai ggivesve SSuez Cananalanal EgypEgyypttian contcontrontrolro aafterte 772 yeaearsears.rs ArgeArggenntinain surrsurrenrreendersders BrititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititiBritititaiain,ain, endnndingin theth 74-74-ddayay Falalklalklanklandsands Islslanslandsands conoonflflflflflflflflflflflflfliflflflflflfliflflflflfliflflflflflflfliflfliflflfliflflflfliflict.ctct Abhay K. to her in form of an anthem, therefore, should be able to find favour with people from all countries. Such an anthem will not only connect all of us across the world through a common musical thread but will also inspire the next generation to put the lliffefe senenteentenctennce planet before themselves.”

“Earth Anthem fits well at all levels, from the local to the global. School children can begin the day by singing Earth Anthem, United Nations General Assembly can begin its session by singing Earth Anthem, it can be All-Alll-IInddia CongCongrengressress accccceptseptts thehe Brirritishtish pplan foror ppartitrtitioition.ion. AAbrrahamha LLincolncooln ddelivelivvers hisis famamouamous—ouss—HousHouseus DDivvided—dedd—speespeecheech SpriSprringfifiengfifieldfififififiefifififififiefifififiefififiefifiefield IlliIlllinoisnois.is SStaatue LibeLibberrty arriarrrivves thehe Newew YorkYorrk Haraarbourbour.ur played along with their national anthems, global events such as Olympics can begin and end with Earth Anthem.”

“We have made a long journey from the caves about 10,000 years ago to the United Nations today. The world has become a village of approximately 200 interdependent households. We can sing a common song praising beauty, diversity and glory of our planet that hosts and nurtures us all. Even as individuals, we have a direct relationship with our planet. We can pay tribute to her singing an Earth Anthem.”

Abhay K. is the author of The Seduction Of Delhi and the editor of CAPITALS— a poetry anthology on the capital cities of the world. His poems have appeared in over two dozen international literary journals including Poetry Salzburg Review and The Asia Literary Review. His call for an official Earth Anthem has been termed inspiring by UNESCO and is supported by Habitat for Humanity, Dada Saheb Phalke award- Jununeun Jununeun winning director Shyam such as The New York PhilBenegal, Oscar-winning harmonic Orchestra and director Jefferey D. Brown, Zubin Mehta (Fantasy on Bollywood actress Manisha Vedic Chants) and has made Koirala, and Hollywood achistoric collaborations and tor Robert Lin, among othrecordings with people like ers. Yehudi Menuhin, Stephane

Abhay K. added that Earth Grappelli, Stevie Wonder Anthem project will continue among others and has esand he would invite world’s tablished himself as a force leading musicians and singthat is strongly Indian but ers to collaborate to create universal in nature and apsubsequent editions of the proach, the statement said. Earth Anthem. Kavita Krishnamur

World renowned music thy is one of India’s most composer and conductor, celebrated film playback violin maestro L Subramasingers. Trained in clasniam has over 200 recordsical music, she has sung ings, mind-boggling repera wide range of classical toire and techniques and is music based songs. She has the creator of global music worked with a variety of concept. His album Global music composers including Fusion is musical milestone Laxmikant-Pyarelal, R D featuring artists from five Burman and A R Rahman. continents. He is also the She has received four Filmfounder-director of Laxmifare Best Female Playback nayaran Global Music FesSinger Awards. She was the tival which has brought the main featured soloist in the world’s leading global artists “Global Fusion” album reto India since 1992. leased by Warner Bros, fea

Over the years, Dr Subturing musicians from all the ramaniam has written five continents. Bindu Subraand created works for the maniam has also sung part world’s greatest orchestras of the Earth Anthem. IANS Pr i n t e d a n d d i s t r i b u t e d by P r essReader P r e s s R e a d e r . c o m + 1 6 0 4 2 7 8 4 6 0 4 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • COPYR I G H T A N D P R OT E C T E D B Y A P P L I C A B L E L AW