The making of ‘Shatak’, a cinematic ode to RSS’s 100-year odyssey, brought composer Rakesh Kumar Pal face-to-face with his toughest assignment yet: writing its centerpiece song. In an exclusive chat, Pal detailed how honoring the world’s largest uniformed volunteer force demanded unprecedented depth and sensitivity.
RSS’s story is epic—founded amid colonial strife, it grew through selfless service, disaster relief, and value-based education. ‘Shatak’ brings this alive with star-studded casts and high-production visuals. But for Pal, the song was the soul, needing to mirror the sangh’s ethos of nation-first without overt jingoism.
Challenges abounded. Sourcing inspiration from authentic swayamsevak experiences, Pal navigated the fine line between inspiration and indoctrination. Historical accuracy was paramount: references to key figures, events like Ram Janmabhoomi, and global outreach.
Musically, fusing classical ragas with contemporary beats while evoking shakha discipline was innovative yet arduous. Pal held workshops with RSS pracharaks, refining drafts based on their inputs for genuineness.
Poised for a grand unveiling, ‘Shatak’ leverages Pal’s track to bridge past and present. It underscores RSS’s role in India’s renaissance, appealing to youth through relatable melodies. Pal’s journey exemplifies how creative challenges birth masterpieces, cementing ‘Shatak’ as a cultural landmark.