The iconic Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz wrote Hum Dekhenge in 1979. The song has, since then, been sung in protests against oppressive regimes, acquiring new life during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 and early 2020.Its Tamil version ‘Naam Paarpome’ retains the spirit of the original and evokes an idea of quiet defiance.It is sung here by Sangeetha Sivakumar and Vignesh Ishwar. Below is a translation of the Tamil lyrics.‘Naam Paarpome’ We shall seeIn my heart, we know, we shall seeWe shall see. One day, the dawn shall bring salvationWe shall see, We shall see that, We shall see. The promise of the ancient wordWe shall see, We shall see. The power that weighs us down like a mountainWill be blown away like dust, like lint. In the march of the downtroddenThis world will sway and reverberateThe voice of those who dominate will be silenced by thunder and lightningWe shall see, we shall see. When you experience the divinity inside youThere will be no schism, no hateThose who could not stand together as oneShall unite under the umbrella of kindnessThe crowns will be shatteredThe thrones will be dismantledWe shall see, we shall see. The name of the Lord would endure foreverIt would be shrouded, it would be repleteIt is the scene, it shall be seenIt would be the resounding sound of your inner selfIn you, and in meAll life would spring to attentionIn that you shall be and I shall beWe will see, we will seeWe will see.(Translated from Tamil to English by Rajesh Garga.)Sangeetha Sivakumar is a senior Carnatic musician, with more than 30 years of concert performances across the globe. Her music is known for its crispness, clarity of thought and presentation. For the past decade or more, Sangeetha sees her roles as a vocalist and educator as being only manifestations of her central belief that Carnatic music belongs to the larger societal canvas. Whether she is on the proscenium stage singing, or talking to young minds in schools, she shares the art with the heart of a dreamer, the mind of a scholar and the spirit of an activist.Vignesh Ishwar is one of the leading young musicians of Carnatic music. A highly accomplished vocalist, he has been regularly featured in major festivals and venues, India and abroad and has won several prizes and awards. Holding a Masters degree in sound and music technology, Vignesh is also a volunteer and an integral part of many initiatives such as Svanubhava, Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha, Carnatic Music in Chennai’s Public Schools to name a few. Vignesh is a part of the core team led by his guru T.M. Krishna which is working hard towards supporting marginalised artists adversely affected by the pandemic.
