Thaindian News

By Shilpa Raina
New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) “Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto”… the Commonwealth Games official song exhorts youngsters to live, rise, ascend, win and play the game without malice, says lyricist Mehboob who brainstormed with music maestro A.R. Rahman for six months before coming up with the final version.

Mehboob’s brief for the song was simple — it should be targeted at youth and bring out the essence of India and sportsmanship.

“If you hear the song, you will see how we have used words to give this song the punch and feel it required. The title of the song ‘Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto’ means live, rise, ascend, win in English and such words are very catchy. So while writing we have kept the young generation in mind,” Mehboob told IANS in an interview from Mumbai.

Apart from this, the song has lines such as “Milap ho to khel mein bada mail hai” (If you have harmony in the game, there is fun to enjoy it). Explaining the meaning, Mehboob said: “The line conveys the idea that if a game is played without malice, it is the best way to do it.”

There are interesting lines like “Josh hona chahiye dhakka na maro”, meaning the conduct of the game should be fair and one should play the sport with fervour.

Mehboob and Rahman go a long way back. Be it “Rangeela” or “Vande Mataram”, the two have produced all kinds of music together.

So will this song be as popular as their patriotic song “Maa Tujhe Saalam” from their album “Vande Mataram” to commemorate 50 years of India’s independence in 1997?

“Well, first of all, it is a matter of pride and honour for me to get the opportunity to write the lyrics of this song. Then, I am sure the song will definitely reach out to everyone,” said Mehboob.

“I am sure, music and sport lovers will enjoy this song as much as like our previous songs,” he added.

It took them six months to finish the CWG song, which involved a bit of travelling as Rahman sits in Chennai and Mehboob in Mumbai.

Mehboob had to postpone plans for his directorial venture “Ek Minute” for the CWG song.

He doesn’t reveal much about the project and says he will talk about it when the time is right. As of now, all he wants to do is hum “Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto”.

Talking about his relationship with Rahman, he said: “We share a comfort level and have no ego problems. Apart from this, our first film together, ‘Rangeela’, was a huge hit. Ever since, we have worked on several film projects together. I feel ours is a give-and-take relationship.”

“Over these years, we have become more of brothers and are a family. So, that chemistry reflects in our music,” he added.

Besides “Rangeela”, the two have worked together on several film projects like “Bombay”, “Doli Saja Ke Rakhna”, “Daud”, “Yuva” “Thakshak” and “Dil Hi Dil Mein”.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)