iNDICA NEWS BUREAU–
Anuradha Palakurthi, a noted Indian-origin playback singer, will be one of the featured singers at the COP 28 Resonance Climate Concert. She runs JuJu Productions, is the serving chairperson of MIT’s Heritage Arts of South Asia (MITHAS) and co-hosts a weekly Radio Music India show on WLYN 1360 that educates and entertains listeners on the Carnatic & Hindustani classical roots of Indian Film music.
Anuradha has recorded playback for South Indian films. Widely regarded for her versatility across vocal genres, she was the featured female singer in live shows in the USA with Kumar Sanu, Suresh Wadkar, Deepak Pandit and Bappi Lahiri.
Excerpts from an interview:
You are going to sing the Climate Song, which will be heard across continents at the historic UN COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai. What went through your mind when you were approached to lead the theme song on the greatest existential threat facing humanity and our planet?
A sense of responsibility to convey the gravitas along with my deep-rooted optimism that humanity will find a way. At a personal level, a sense of honor and humility to have been asked to carry on a tradition of musicians leaving behind a legacy and impact.
Share with our readers your early conversation with the song-writer Neelesh Misra.
Neelesh and I wanted the song to exude an uplifting and optimistic spirit. We included ancient wisdom of the sages that perfectly encapsulates the need for balance in existence. Neelesh has this magic of making impactful words that can sing by themselves — and so was the first person that I reached out to.
As the song transformed from paper to process to passionate rendition, how did multi-Grammy Winner Ricky Kej’s composition contribute to enhance the richness of melody and memory?
Ricky’s first cut melody was the final one — with multiple lilting calls-to-action. His composition conveys urgency and actionability. The music was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and has an international soul, like the message of the song itself.
Why do you feel it is important for music to play a role in advocacy that transcends linguistic and geopolitical boundaries?
Music speak to all of humanity — it is the common language. It has driven peace movements, helped action anti-hunger movements – it has made us better human beings. Dr George Jacob and the San Francisco based Bay Ecotarium led the charge on this on this concert and hopefully will catalyze action. Under George’s leadership it continues to set the pace in creating international awareness. It is perhaps being the only Smithsonian affiliated institution leading multiple climate and ocean conservation living museum initiatives.
You are one of the few musicians who have risen to the challenge of giving voice to the voiceless plants, animals, oceans, nature and life itself on our Blue Marble that is crying out for sustained healing. What legacy would you like to leave for the future generations with your music that is woven into a higher societal purpose?
Since we lived as hunter-gatherers there are documented stories, prayers, incantations from different civilizations that preach balanced exploitation and respect for earth — agriculture, wildlife conversation, fishing, tree care. Industrial progress made us forget those values. It is time for us to go back. I realize that I am but a small cog in this effort to restore earth’s resonance — and that is the title of the song — Restoring Resonance.
