Ramaiya Vastavaiya

“Cinema is the greatest mission for all young men to bring different countries into one fold.”

- Raj Kapoor

This cover of the classic Hindi song Ramaiya Vastavaiya is originally from the blockbuster 1955 Indian film Shree 420, produced by, directed by, and starring one of the most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of Hindi Cinema: Raj Kapoor. While the song is in Hindi, the main line, “Ramaiya vastavaiya” is from the Telugu language and translates to “Rama (God), will you come?”; many of us might find this an apt phrase for these uncertain times we are in. The rest of the song itself evokes a feeling of a hopeful yearning through the ups and downs of life. My video opens paying homage to the original song as filmed in the movie with the 1950s Indian film music sound, before transitioning into a more high-charged contemporary pop and rock-infused version, featuring people of all backgrounds moving within the music. 

Perhaps more than any other time in recent history, people across the globe are being drawn closer together in the shared experience. From the reality of quarantine in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the fight for racial and social justice, as year goes on, so many of us across the world are sharing in each other’s joys, sorrows, stresses, and laughter.  As Kapoor’s quote above suggests, he believed in the power of cinema and art to bring people together. In the same vein, my cover song video aims to show that no matter who we are, what our background is, or what our situation is, we can all come together and delight in the joy of music and dance.