The recent tragic event in Kolkata has left an indelible mark on many, including Pramod and Raj, who, like countless others, are grappling with shock and sorrow. As US citizens with deep ties to Kolkata and Bengal-historically known as safe havens for women-they felt compelled to find a meaningful way to honor the departed and protest against such a horrific crime. Thousands of miles from their homeland, they turned to poetry and music, mediums that often convey emotions more powerfully than words alone.

Pramod channeled his literary talents into creating poignant verses, while Raj composed a melody inspired by Raag Darbari, which captures a spectrum of emotions. He lent his voice to evoke the deep pathos embedded in the lyrics, enhanced by a heart-wrenching “Alaap/Tarana” during the interludes. Raj also enlisted the help of fellow musicians-Kashif Khan, a professional keyboardist, who arranged the song, and Adnan Khan, a lead jazz guitarist, who added depth to the composition and managed sound editing in his home studio. Although Kashif and Adnan are US citizens and not of Indian origin, they shared in the collective grief over the tragic event, underscoring the idea that “human values” transcend borders. In the face of such deplorable incidents, the world unites as a global community.