A catchy rap number by kids is the first song from director Saurav Palodhi’s upcoming film Onko Ki Kothin that dropped recently. Cheekily titled Chaap niye labh nei, it takes a practical but flippant look at the reality experienced by slum children.
Set against the background of an abandoned classroom with math figures and symbols dancing out of the blackboard, the video of the song shows kids singing the song dressed in old, shabby clothes. The song makes it apparent that these kids are well aware of their adversities but have taken it in their stride quite cheerfully. They know that they lack the privileges of rich kids, but are content with their lot. They nurture big dreams just like everybody else. Though they have no money, support or education, they believe that they will grow up just like everyone else and make it big someday. Despite their childish antics and playfulness, they display a rare maturity and stoicism about their condition. They know they have problems but prefer not to worry about them; rather they embrace their present and future with joy and confidence.
Not only do the kids belie their young age in grasping their own situation, but they are also intelligent enough to understand the hypocrisies and fakeness of the rich, happily asserting that they are not like them. They are also worldly wise enough to realise that with the odds stacked so heavily against them, they cannot afford to fail or ever give up. They must remain steady in their pursuit and keep on trying till they are able to grab for themselves their mouthful of the sky. They also believe that though they are poor and are denied the benefits of good education, they have the power to bring about a revolution and change the world.
At times, the couplets they chant in unison are a mishmash of popular English and Bengali rhymes or songs, and initially sound like gibberish. But they hide a depth of meaning and irony that puts the plight of the kids into an entirely different perspective.
With vocals by Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, Gitoshree Chakraborty and Doriyaa, the song, written and composed by Debdeep Mukhopadhyay appeals because of its raw innocence and honesty. Besides the kids’ happy-go-lucky attitude, their endearing laughter and their super-confident body language, what shines through in the song is the pure and beautiful friendship shared by the slum children, that has been so well captured by the child actors. The song, which is playful yet serious, ultimately sends out the message that it is the power the children derive from their friendship that fills their hearts with hopes of a happier future and the ability to face life with a smile.
