Stereotypes- they are all around us and even though sometimes quite true, at times they can be annoyingly inaccurate. When it comes to India and stereotyping, curry and cows have mostly stolen the show. But that is the kind of generalisation usually comes from outsiders, whose depth of understanding of Indian culture could easily be threatened by that of the potholes lying astray on the roads of Mumbai. However, there is one very common generalisation that almost all of the older generation in India today believe in, which is that the younger generation is not patriotic anymore, that they do not respect their country or culture as much as they should.
As India is fast approaching its 71st Independence Day, something beautiful has popped up in the way of the upcoming celebration of this historic day. The backbone of every Indian’s pride for his country and culture- the national anthem Jana Gana Mana has broken into the YouTube charts unprecedentedly. A contemporary rendition of this timeless classic, arranged by Shayan Italia, the Mumbai based songwriter and pianist, has garnered over 12 million views just within three days of its release and now has over 24 million views already. Arranged and rendered on the world’s grandest concert piano, the flagship Steinway Model D, this rendition effortlessly matches up to the grandeur and majesty of the composition, originally done by none other than Rabindranath Tagore. The video was shot in 8K Ultra HD and Farhad Vijay Arora directed it.
Within a day of its listing, the video #IWouldStandForThis had surpassed over five million views but what makes it even more significant is the fact that it was not promoted on a big scale at all- no celebrity endorsement, no social or traditional media promotion.
“The goal was to get 71 million views to mark 71 years of Independent India. At more than 5 million views per day; at this rate, 71 million views is a distinct possibility,” says Shayan Italia.
Image Credit: youthkiawaaz.com
Then how did these views pour in innumerably, surpassing even its creator’s wildest expectations? The answer has to be the undying pride and love that the common Indian still holds in their heart for his nation. Regardless of what the misconceptions might be, today’s Indian still jumps in to appreciate and celebrate everything that is beautiful and has germinated from the homeland soil. Yes, the youth is critical of the country and is frustrated by its current socio-political climate now more than ever, but that is only because they still care about the nation that they call home. That is because they want to see it flourish just like any other “developed” country, it is because they want equity, and tolerance.
Times are trying but times are also changing. And with time the perception of patriotism is changing in this country as well. Yes, today’s generation will call out India’s ignorance every time an innocent is lynched, beaten or burnt alive. They will speak up against forced nationalism in theatres. But when the location and occasion is correct, and the national anthem is playing, you can trust them to say #IWouldStandForThis.
