The high-energy ‘Datey Raho’ was composed and released within 24 hours, dedicated to the youth and the student movement in New Delhi
Techie-turned-musician and entrepreneur Sunil Koshy’s latest song, ‘Datey Raho’, is the result of a collaboration with lyricist Sahil Sultanpuri and guitarist Rijush Aluva. Composed during the student protest in New Delhi that resulted in the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sunil dedicates the song to the movement.
“It is not political. It is for the youth, and for our society, let nothing come in their way.”
He feels that every citizen has the responsibility to oppose injustice. “I want students to think for themselves,” he says, adding that the song was written in a span of 24 hours, a personal record.
A Motivational Anthem
Intended to be motivational, the song is a high-energy solo featuring electric guitar and harmony and was released accompanied by a video featuring visuals from the protests. “I feel a song can do what a speech or somebody advising you, cannot do. I believe it has the power to make people think,” Sunil says, explaining that the music reflects the content of his song.
Although Sunil is more accustomed to singing in Malayalam and Kannada, he says that he chose to sing in Hindi “because of its national reach.”
A History of Social Commentary
The musician says he has always been motivated to write about social issues. In the past, he has written songs to raise awareness about mental health, and feminist causes. Speaking on the protests, he says, “There’s so much unrest. Somewhere, I think it was building inside.”
He adds that he does not expect virality, only for his music to reach somebody and “make a change, however small.”
‘Datey Raho’ was released as a music video across social media platforms on July 25.
