Finally, a befitting musical tribute to the Seven Sisters in a music video that will highlight the rich traditions, culture and scenic splendour of the seven north-eastern states. “This will, in a way, set right a  22-year-old wrong,” Dadasaheb Phalke award winner Dr Bhupen Hazarika, who is part of the venture, said. An irreplaceable part of growing up for people of a certain vintage, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara had achieved cult status. And yet it ended up slighting those who felt underrepresented in what was supposed to be a pan-national showcase. “You blinked and you missed it,” rues Hazarika. “The brilliance of what is one of the most colourful regions of the country was reduced to a blink-and-miss musical interlude,” he remembers. Now he, along with acclaimed music composer Shantanu Moitra of Lage Raho Munnabhai and 3 Idiots fame, and lyricist Swanand Kirkire who has won two national awards for Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi and 3 Idiots, have come together  to  create the music video, Our North- East, Our Star. Apart from the trio, other well-known names associated with the project include Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury of Antaheen fame and stalwarts from the North-East like Mami Varte, Lou Majaw and Sourabhee Debburma.“The original version Sapne Sach Kare was written by Kirkire and it was translated into various languages. The entire music video is in tune with the idea of the musical unification of the North-East,” Moitra said. The choice of a Mahahrashtrian to give music to the video has left many amused. But an excited Kirkire refused to be drawn into what it means to be from a state where politicians are making careers out of exclusivist politics.

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“I feel honoured that Bhupen Hazarika is singing my words,” he said. On his initial worries about the metre after translation, he said, “I should leave those concerns to those who know the language and the audiences who will hear it.” He is impressed with the final product and listens to it non-stop. “The music of North-East is different... so young and appealing. After all, it is the music of the land where the Sun comes calling first.”   Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury cannot get over the locations. “There are very beautiful locations here in the North-East which, people in other parts of India and the world should see. Most of us don’t know anything about the region or its people. This video should hopefully make us bond with the region a lot more,” he said. Slated to hit air in December, the makers hope it becomes an anthem or sorts for this neglected region. Its producers are in talks with theatres across the North-East to air the video before screening movies. The song is also going to be promoted across all television, radio and digital platforms.