We Australians Are Creative Inc (WAACI) is launching a music CD, ‘The Rahat Project’, that 65 artists from 12 countries have created in almost 20 years.
WAACI president Abbas Raza Alvi says ‘The Rahat Project’ music CD is “conceived as a musical tribute to the friendship, deep respect and affection for the elder poet, Mr Om Krishan Rahat.
Mr Alvi has composed and arranged the music that breathes life into the poetry selections of Rahat’s lyrics.
Artists from Australia and overseas have sung and performed for this one of its kind projects.
“These songs capture the poet’s lifetime experience, describing the history of life-changing turbulent times during the post-WWII period, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Moreover, the Rahat CD sets a new approach to assisting inter-nation cooperation. A message stick of soothing music reminds the brotherhood and peace values that once prevailed in pre-partition communities,” Mr Alvi told NRI Affairs.
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“Immediately after the Second World War, which claimed 50 million lives, the violent nature of the 1947 partition of a united India displaced 12 million people along religious lines. Moreover, it created an atmosphere of hatred amongst ethnicities. This animosity is still heavily depriving subcontinent countries of maximising bilateral and global trade, defence, and security investment,” he said.
Rahat’s poetry, influenced by the good and bad times, is laced with themes of childhood memories, childhood friends, backyards, dreams, lost friends, multiculturalism, peace and harmony.
Mr Alvi says this talented Australian creative team has composed and performed Rahat’s poetic lyrics into melodic compilations.
“Rahat’s music tracks blend the vast Australian sounds fused with the music of the Indian subcontinent. The emotions inspired by the melodic tunes (Tarz) will bring listeners together to cement bonds, reject war and differences among each other and live in peace and harmony,” he added.
