City music director dedicates album to Mandela

More than his contribution in Telugu film industry, Satya Kashyap, an upcoming music director got the much needed recognition as a musician through his admiration for Nelson Mandela. Satya’s regard for Mandela, right from his younger days, made him compose and dedicate a soulful song to him.

The song that begins as ‘Mandela Veerudave Ra’ in Telugu; which also has Hindi words, has fascinated many; prompting regional news channels to call him up for interviews. The album released by Satya on Mandela’s birthday this year in July through YouTube, is highly ranked among regional channels.

After the demise of Mandela on December 6, at his Johannesburg home, the song which is being played repeatedly on news channels has become a favourite with many. “Even before coming to Hyderabad to pursue my musical career, I had always thought that one day, I would dedicate something to him (Mandela) through my music,” said Satya Kashyap, who is the composer, lyricist and vocalist of the heart rending musical composition.

Moreover, he says that his goal was accomplished, when the South African Diaspora, living in the city, came forward to congratulate him and expressed their gratitude for dedicating a song to Mandela, a father figure for them. “It is a great feeling that a father figure of our country is remembered and loved so much that a musical album has been dedicated to him. He (Nelson Mandela) is a great icon, and we have the same respect for Mahatma Gandhi in our country too.

This is how relationship between India and South Africa always remained good,” said Franklin, and his group of friends from South Africa, who are pursuing their education here in Hyderabad in different universities.

The audio-visual album takes the viewers through the historic journey of Nelson Mandela, through his lifetime, starting from the movement led by him against discrimination of the indigenous community, during his student days; to his arrest and 27 years of his prime spent in South Africa’s dingiest prison and his victorious emergence over the colonial rulers from the confines of prison. Satya, is currently working on music for Telugu movies including ‘Nutilo Kappalu’ starring Rajendra Prasad, and many other under noted banners, besides Hindi film projects including ‘Money Return Guarantee’.

To his credit, Satya was also associated with the music team of super hit film Raktha Charitra.