EXCLUSIVE! Singers Divya Kumar-Lalitya Munshaw On Paying Tribute To Chhatrapati Shivaji In Mann Mann Swaraj

Divya Kumar-Lalitya Munshaw Exclusive For Mann Mann Swaraj: On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, singers Divya Kumar and Lalitya Munshaw present a heartfelt musical tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with their recently released song 'Mann Mann Swaraj'. Blending emotion, devotion, and patriotic flavour, the track aims to celebrate the courage, vision, and legacy of the great Maratha warrior.

In an exclusive interview with Filmibeat, the duo opens up about the inspiration behind the song, the responsibility of honouring a historical icon through music, and why culturally rooted compositions continue to hold deep relevance even in today's trend-driven music landscape.

1) When you were first approached for the song, did you feel an added sense of responsibility knowing the cultural and historical significance of the occasion?

Divya Kumr: For me, the responsibility was to express the emotions and message of the song effectively through the lyrics and performance. Whenever you are singing about a warrior like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, there is naturally an added sense of responsibility. It is important to present it with respect, passion, and sincerity. So yes, there was definitely an added responsibility. At the same time, we were well guided by Lalitya ma'am and Raghavendra ji, who explained the meaning behind every line and helped us understand how each emotion needed to be expressed through the song.

2) You are widely associated with devotional and heritage music. What was it about Mann Mann Swaraj that made you want to be part of a warrior-inspired tribute like this?

Lalitya Munshaw: At Red Ribbon Music Company, we certainly release commercial and romantic songs, but it is equally important for us to create music that is inspirational and carries a meaningful message. Mann Mann Swaraj is one such song. When we speak about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his legacy and values hold immense significance, and we wanted the tribute to reflect that spirit sincerely. I felt that Divya Kumar's voice, with its freshness, strength and emotional depth, could do complete justice to the song. She has brought great energy and conviction to it. The lyrics have been beautifully written by Shri Raghavendra ji, and the music composed by Pawan Kumar further enhances the emotion and grandeur of the tribute.

3) Shiv Jayanti evokes pride, devotion, and strength all at once. In patriotic compositions, intensity can overshadow emotion. How did you channel those layered emotions into your vocals and balance everything out?

Divya: We both had different roles in the song, and my responsibility was to bring out the emotional side of the composition. I focused on keeping the expression mellow and heartfelt, while Lalitya ma'am approached her portions from the perspective of Jijamata, which brought a completely different tone and emotional depth to the song. Maintaining that balance was very important. The lyrics and the composition themselves guide you in understanding what the song demands at each moment, and that helped us divide and deliver our parts in a way that kept both intensity and emotion intact.

4) Songs rooted in history and culture often carry a deeper message. How important do you think it is for music labels today to invest in themes that celebrate cultural heritage and collective memory?

Lalitya: I think it's extremely important for music labels to invest in songs that celebrate our culture and heritage. Inspirational music helps keep our values alive and connects the younger generation to our roots. At Red Ribbon, we don't focus only on commercial music; we consciously create meaningful projects that carry a message. We also produce dedicated content for children through our channel, Red Ribbon Kids, so they can understand and appreciate Indian culture from an early age.

5) In an era dominated by pop and streaming trends, do culturally rooted songs face more challenges - or do they stand out even more?

Lalitya: Yes, it is definitely challenging in today's trend-driven music landscape. As a label, we have to work harder to ensure culturally rooted songs reach the right audience. We recently released a commercial track for Valentine's Day, and now, on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, we are presenting this special song with Divya Kumar. While we have delivered many commercial successes over the years, projects like these require extra effort and support. But we believe such songs are important, and we will continue to create and promote music that celebrates our heritage.

6) When we speak about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it's impossible not to mention the deep respect and bond he shared with his son, Sambhaji Maharaj. Recently, audiences have been talking a lot about Sambhaji Maharaj's story again, especially after Vicky Kaushal portrayed him in Chhaava last year. As an artist, do you feel songs like Mann Mann Swaraj, or a film like Chhaava, help listeners emotionally connect with figures like Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj beyond textbooks?

Divya: Honestly, I wasn't very good at studies during my school days, so textbooks alone didn't create that connection for me. In fact, I feel I've learned a lot more about history through Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films than from textbooks. Growing up, we also understood Shivaji Maharaj's legacy through songs, local celebrations, and cultural programmes, which made his story feel more alive. Recently, after watching Chhaava and seeing Vicky Kaushal portray Sambhaji Maharaj, the story felt even more real and emotionally impactful. Music and films have the power to go beyond facts and dates - they help people feel history, connect with it emotionally, and carry it in their hearts.