“Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye Je”, is the song that gave rise to “Gandhi – A Portuguese pays homage to Gandhi”, Rão Kyao’s new album to be released on 14 May.
Gandhi – A Portuguese pays homage to Gandhi was born from a challenge launched by the official entities of India to 124 countries, to reinterpret a theme that Gandhi loved so much. Each of these countries had to choose a musician to recreate “Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye Je”, which became an anthem for all Indians. It is this theme that now appears as the album’s second presentation single, and which was the starting point for Rão Kyao to rediscover the figure of Gandhi and create his tribute, in a work that is a meeting point of Portugal’s connection with India.
“It was then that the Indian embassy contacted me to conceive a version of this theme, based on the fact that they knew of my involvement with Indian music,” says Rão Kyao.
After having finished the recreation, he got an immediate reaction, which was unexpected, from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who referenced and published it on all his social networks.
In this second single, Rão Kyao reveals a more introspective component of his music which, in these challenging times, gives it a special dimension.
With a release date for next May, the album is, as it is well understood, a tribute to the Indian leader (1869-1948) who was recently honoured worldwide with the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of his birth. “He remains a futurist. His philosophy is what we need for this time”, says Rão Kyao.