In its first-ever Shabad music video collaboration, “Mere Naal Hai”, Sikh Youth Australia has brought together 21 families from across the globe
As people across the world are gripped with fear and a sense of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, social distancing has become the new normal. In such a scenario staying connected and keeping spirits alive has become all the more important. Keeping this in mind, the volunteers at Sikh Youth Australia (SYA), a non-profit organization based in Sydney, launched a first of its kind “Shabad Video Mosaic Collaboration” on June 4 by bringing together 21 families and numerous musicians and composers from various parts of the world who are all members of Sikh Youth Australia. The main idea behind this initiative was to spread a message of hope and solidarity in these difficult times as the whole world is struggling to liberate itself from the terrible grasp of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Virtual Recording of Spiritual Songs
It was decided that a 5-minute composition, “Mere Naal hai” which means “He (Beloved True Guru) is with me” would be recorded virtually. Among the noteworthy collaborators were Melbourne-based renowned singer and composer Dya Singh who composed the musical score, Hardeep Girn who produced the final video and Jamel K. Singh who organized and integrated all the pieces of the recording. UK-based Veer Manpreet Singh of “Tu hi, Tu hi” fame also contributed to the soulful number while families from neighbouring country New Zealand also joined in earnest. The result was an inspirational and spiritual rendition which epitomizes the possibility of being united through the virtual medium despite the physical and geographical barriers as well as the current compulsion of staying physically distant.
A Platform to Participate in Sikh Community Affairs
Sikh Youth Australia, a non-profit organization, founded in 1999, is dedicated to providing a platform for young Sikhs in Australia to take active participation in Sikh Community affairs and Sikh traditions in order to become upstanding and responsible Sikh Australian citizens. It has been doing a laudable job in empowering the Sikh youth through its various leadership camps so that they become proficient in their chosen career path. Moreover, its monthly “Austral Youth Kirtan” programmes at the Austral Sikh Temple help the youth to maintain a tenacious link with spirituality by performing kirtan (devotional and communal singing) and doing seva (selfless service) for the community.
This recent unique and beautiful initiative by SYA is indeed an effective way to stay optimistic and hopeful as the whole world steers its way towards recovery and eventual normalcy.