Billy Joel started the fire,Javed Ali lights it afresh for SP

It was the idea of Akhilesh Yadav. We have got the rights to Billy Joels song, says Arjun Sablok of Arkash Production House,Mumbai,which has brought out the adaptation. The song has turned out to be quite inspiring. Since its release on November 22,Mulayams birthday,it has got nearly 1.5 lakh likes on Facebook.

The lyrics have been written by Mulayams teacher Udai Pratap Singh. A former Rajya Sabha MP,Udai Pratap is chairman of the UP Hindi Sansthan and has been given a cabinet ministers status by Akhileshs government.

Man se hai Mulayam includes the names of all late socialist leaders besides promoting Mulayam. It includes references to welfare schemes of the Akhilesh government. The verse Man se hai Mulayam aur Iradey Loha hai has also been made the punchline for the partys poll campaign and put up on hoardings with Mulayams picture.

Javed was in town to perform at the Lucknow Mahotsav last week and Akhilesh invited him home,where they discussed this song and others Javed is singing on behalf of the party.

Javed and Rekha Bhardwaj sing two other songs for the partys campaign: Jago Samajwadiyo and Kasam Khatey hain,both composed by Nikhil. The latter has worked for the Samajwadi Party earlier,too,and composed the party anthem,Ye Samajwadi Jhanda,again sung by Javed. Nikhil says the new songs have a new dimension,but they retain an Indian identity.

My songs have been very popular in UP and I understand what the people want, he says. Akhilesh has appreciated my efforts.