‘Rupaiya... has proven to be the tipping point’

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Singer Sona Mohapatra is elated. Her song Mujhe kya bechega rupaiya, which she performed on Satyamev Jayate, has gone viral and has got over five million hits across various Internet and social media platform.

The song was aired on the third episode of Satyamev Jayate based on dowry issue. Sona shares with us how she’s got a huge response from fans who were touched by the song.
She says, “As an artiste it’s a proud moment for me to be able to reach out in this manner. It feels great that a meaningful song, created for a serious show like Satyamev Jayate, should prove a hit. It is an indication of a truly mature and music loving audience. Ever since it aired, I have received hundreds of mails and messages from people describing how the song has given them the strength and energy to make some very important decisions and how it has infact acted as the decisive ‘tipping point’ in their lives.”
Undoubtedly, it’s being seen as the best anti-dowry song, and its simple words and beautiful composition has struck the right chord with listeners. Sona agrees and says, “It’s definitely one of the most progressive, liberating songs about emancipation in general, apart from marriage or dowry. It’s about understanding that the power and choice always lies with you. Dowry is an abhorrent, deplorable practice and it’s important that we acknowledge that it is very much alive in the 21st century across urban and rural India. Most of us may find the topic ‘done to death’ but the sad truth is not talking about it doesn’t mean that it has gone away.”
She adds, “Some of the lines in Rupaiya will resonante no matter which part of the world you might sing it in. For that I have to credit lyricist Swanand Kirkire and Ram Sampath, who created such an evocative melody. Aamir too was involved in every little detail that went into the musical end of the project.”
When asked how Aamir responded to the song, Sona says, “He was delighted and reacted almost exactly like he did on the show. He’s the driving force and visionary of this project and has the unbridled infectious excitement of a child. He was very clear that in this song the woman was the one in control of her destiny, this is unlike the regular songs where she leaves the onus to her father/babul and at best sings to him in a beseeching tone. In Rupaiya, she is ‘telling’ her father, possible future husband, friend and mother (not requesting!). The lines being, Babul pyare, Sajan sakha re, Sun o meri maiya! Bojh nahin main kisi ke sar ka, na majh dhar mein nayya… Patwar banungi, lehron se ladungi, Arre mujhe kya bechega rupaiya!”
Talking about her fans’ support, Sona says, “My fans have been very patient and I have them to thank from the bottom of my heart. They are the reason why I’ve stuck to my guns to be part of music that is uncompromising and in sync with me as a person.”
Asked if she’s incharge of the music project of Aamir’s show, Sona says, “Ram and me are partners in our music production house, OmGrown Music. He is the composer and I am the producer. Our working association with Aamir started with Delhi Belly. My role involved liasing between several creative points including Aamir, multiple lyricists and writers. The project also included brainstorming sessions on the songs and lyrics, casting of singers and coordinating musicians, shoots and managing budgets.”
Sona is busy with the show, but she has films in the pipeline including Reema Kagti’s Talaash. She said, “I hope to get back to the live circuit with my band in the coming month. More than this, I am looking forward to a holiday to New York with both my sisters.”