A TV commercial to capture my attention in recent times was the one on Tata Medical Center, Kolkata. It portrayed the story of a nine year old girl Koel and her fight against Cancer. Conceived by Geeta Gopalakrishnan, and produced and directed by Vibha Bakshi, over 30 TV channels across India had carried this ad film (Click here to watch it).
Koel's struggle and her eventual triumph over the dreaded disease is said to have moved the Tatas to embark on this 'journey of hope'. On 16 May 2011, Ratan Tata threw open a 'not-for-profit', 'state-of-the-art' and 'straight-from-the-heart' facility for the treatment and rehabilitation of Cancer patients.
The film, a seamless string of striking stills, sends out a clear message with rare poignancy. Naturally, in the make-believe world of advertisements where trash rules the day (Read 'Outright Uncouth'), this film arouses a sense of awe and esteem.
The theme song set to music by Suman Chattopadhyay is incredibly gripping. It keeps haunting you, even as it elevates you from a sense of despair to hope. The original version of this beautiful song was rendered by Lopamudra Mitra for a drama serial 'Sonkhbas', and later included in her popular album 'Anya Haoar Anya Gaan'.
The lyric and meaning follow. Thanks to my brother P P Deb, for capturing the soul of this beautiful song in English.
Google to listen/watch this soul-filling rendition.
Koel's struggle and her eventual triumph over the dreaded disease is said to have moved the Tatas to embark on this 'journey of hope'. On 16 May 2011, Ratan Tata threw open a 'not-for-profit', 'state-of-the-art' and 'straight-from-the-heart' facility for the treatment and rehabilitation of Cancer patients.
The film, a seamless string of striking stills, sends out a clear message with rare poignancy. Naturally, in the make-believe world of advertisements where trash rules the day (Read 'Outright Uncouth'), this film arouses a sense of awe and esteem.
The theme song set to music by Suman Chattopadhyay is incredibly gripping. It keeps haunting you, even as it elevates you from a sense of despair to hope. The original version of this beautiful song was rendered by Lopamudra Mitra for a drama serial 'Sonkhbas', and later included in her popular album 'Anya Haoar Anya Gaan'.
The lyric and meaning follow. Thanks to my brother P P Deb, for capturing the soul of this beautiful song in English.
Google to listen/watch this soul-filling rendition.
Tumi shono na amaar kotha
Tumi dekho na amaar chokh
Mukhe jome thaak neerabata
Buke nibir raatri hok
You do not listen to my story
Nor do you look into my eyes
You do not sense my calmness
Nor the dark nights in my heart.
Tumi shono na amaar gaan
Tumi eshona onto raate
Thak sthhobdhhota jaar taan
Buke shanto nibir raate
You do not listen to my song
Nor come by the end of night
Yet the melody stays in my heart
Throughout the quiet night.
Tumi shono na amaar brishti
Tumi dekho na amaar jhhor
Dao onno akashe drishti
Buke ratrir mormor
You do not soak in my rain
Nor do you sway in my storm
As you gaze at the other horizon
The night echoes in my heart.
Tumi shono na amaar hashi
Tumi dekho na chokher jol
Ami raatrike bhalobashi
Buke ondhokarer dhol
You do not see my smile
Nor do you sense my sorrow
I love the nights
As my heart is ever in shadow.
Fear of Cancer is instinctive.
To let that fear strangle life is cowardice.
