DUBAI // An Indian singer is opting for a record-breaking way to herald the arrival of Expo 2020 – by writing 1,000 songs in 1,000 days in the run-up to the event.
Swapna Abraham, who lives in Dubai, will begin her challenge on April 8, 2017 and conclude it on January 1, 2020, when the world expo kicks off.
“I am as old as the UAE and I consider this as home, with my parents having been here from as early as 1968. We owe so much of what we are today to this glorious land. It’s one of the few places in the world where expatriates thrive so well in and invest the best of their lives,” she said.
“When I thought of doing the challenge for 1,000 days, I wanted to make it special for Dubai and so chose to conclude on the date of the launch of Expo 2020.
“The last song will be about ‘Dubai - Where The World Meets’, or something like that.”
Abraham was unconcerned about facing writer’s block, saying that her only issues would be time management and ensuring she remains healthy.
“Creative block is something I ruled out. Only time is the constraint, so I have to manage it wisely. I need four hours a day to do this. Also, I have to be careful about my health. There’s no scope for any excuse. I will either win or fail and I cannot fail,” said the single mother of two children.
Abraham’s instruments of choice for the challenge will be the keyboard and, sometimes, a guitar and she said she was confident of not repeating herself during the 1,000 days.
“The methodology is simple. I pick an idea each day, script lyrics and a tune in line with the said idea on that day, proceed to production including mixing and mastering on the same day and finish off with uploading the song before the day is over,” said the singer who has produced 21 albums so far, wrote 215 songs and performed in 18 countries across the world.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
* This article has been altered since it was first published for clarity.