* Expats' collective releases album to mark World Cup countdown.
With its melodious rhythm and merry tempo, a song by Indian expatriates’ collective supporting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is striking a chord with fans while highlighting Qatar’s legacy.
Titled Hakk Hakk Hayya, the Malayalam song was released on YouTube on August 12 to mark the beginning of the 100 days countdown.
The music video, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papQ-GpLP1w, features Qatar’s preparations for the mega event and the iconic locations across Qatar with accompanying visuals of fans’ jubilation, memorable moments of previous world cups and football stars.
“The album is a tribute in a constructive and creative way to Qatar, while the country is all set to host the World Cup. Through the album, we make an attempt to take part in the campaigns while contributing our bit to make the event a big success. We have tried to portray the history, the present and the future of Qatar and football,” lyricist Sreevalsan G told Gulf Times Community.
The album is produced by members of the Friends of Angamaly (ANRIA) Qatar in co-operation with Argentina and Brazil fans along with other expatriate collectives. Sreevalsan conceptualised the initial idea and shared it with his friends at ANRIA earlier this year. Famous Malayalam playback singer Anwar Sadath is the lead vocalist. Background score and mixing were handled by Arun Kumaran and videography by Sinu S Nair and Thushar while Shafeek XDC performed choreography.
“The song is a fusion of Malayalam and Arabic music. For the melody part, we followed the Malayalam style while the chorus part was composed in Arabic style. The lines lend a positive feel while echoing the jubilation and cheer of fans,” music director Collins Thomas said.
Filming and studio work started in July. Some parts were shot in Qatar while some locations in Kerala were picked. Starting with a head to head between Argentina and Brazil fans, the album features dances and cheering at various locations in Qatar including the World Cup Countdown Clock, the Corniche, Souq Waqif, various World Cup stadiums and Hamad International Airport.
Sreevalsan said the album reflects the enthusiasm of the Indian community and football fans. “All were keen to take part in the album. Collectives of football fans and artists volunteered to participate while doing the pre and post production works and performing in front of the camera,” he said.
Sreevalsan’s wife Ajitha Sreevalsan and daughter Amrita Sree feature in the album.
There are plans to add subtitles in English and Arabic to the video, the lyricist added.
Titled Hakk Hakk Hayya, the Malayalam song was released on YouTube on August 12 to mark the beginning of the 100 days countdown.
The music video, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papQ-GpLP1w, features Qatar’s preparations for the mega event and the iconic locations across Qatar with accompanying visuals of fans’ jubilation, memorable moments of previous world cups and football stars.
“The album is a tribute in a constructive and creative way to Qatar, while the country is all set to host the World Cup. Through the album, we make an attempt to take part in the campaigns while contributing our bit to make the event a big success. We have tried to portray the history, the present and the future of Qatar and football,” lyricist Sreevalsan G told Gulf Times Community.
The album is produced by members of the Friends of Angamaly (ANRIA) Qatar in co-operation with Argentina and Brazil fans along with other expatriate collectives. Sreevalsan conceptualised the initial idea and shared it with his friends at ANRIA earlier this year. Famous Malayalam playback singer Anwar Sadath is the lead vocalist. Background score and mixing were handled by Arun Kumaran and videography by Sinu S Nair and Thushar while Shafeek XDC performed choreography.
“The song is a fusion of Malayalam and Arabic music. For the melody part, we followed the Malayalam style while the chorus part was composed in Arabic style. The lines lend a positive feel while echoing the jubilation and cheer of fans,” music director Collins Thomas said.
Filming and studio work started in July. Some parts were shot in Qatar while some locations in Kerala were picked. Starting with a head to head between Argentina and Brazil fans, the album features dances and cheering at various locations in Qatar including the World Cup Countdown Clock, the Corniche, Souq Waqif, various World Cup stadiums and Hamad International Airport.
Sreevalsan said the album reflects the enthusiasm of the Indian community and football fans. “All were keen to take part in the album. Collectives of football fans and artists volunteered to participate while doing the pre and post production works and performing in front of the camera,” he said.
Sreevalsan’s wife Ajitha Sreevalsan and daughter Amrita Sree feature in the album.
There are plans to add subtitles in English and Arabic to the video, the lyricist added.
