MUMBAI: The excitement surrounding the Mumbai Festival 2024 now reaches new heights with the launch of the influencer marketing activity to raise awareness of the festival, the thrilling "Mumbai Ek Tyohar Hai Hookstep Challenge" choreographed by Remo D'Souza, and invited social media users and influencers to create their versions on social media to spread festive cheer and win passes for various activities at the Mumbai Festival.

With a fantastic lineup of renowned vocalists, "Mumbai Ek Tyohar Hai" features the mesmerising vocals of Sukhwinder Singh, the power-packed voice of Shankar Mahadevan, the soulful melodies of Harshdeep Kaur, the contagious energy of Falguni Pathak, the powerful tones of Avadhoot Gupte, and the rhythmic beats of The Dharavi Dream Project. This collaboration captures the spirit of Mumbai's cultural diversity by bringing together a wide spectrum of musical talents. The anthem is more than a melody; it celebrates Mumbai's soul.

The anthem will become the city's heartbeat with its throbbing beats and upbeat lyrics. It will echo throughout the streets during the upcoming Mumbai Festival from January 20 to January 28, 2024.

With the resounding message of "Everyone's Invited," the Mumbai Festival seeks to unite individuals from all walks of life to celebrate the festive atmosphere of this cultural event.

Shri Girish Mahajan, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, "The Mumbai Festival will reflect the vibrant spirit Mumbai embodies. It will showcase everything Mumbai offers for people from every walk of life. This festival will turn the entirety of Mumbai into a festival that one will never forget. A celebration of this magnitude will only highlight Mumbai's unique character globally, attracting tourists from all over the world who come to witness the depth of our city's legacy."

Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairperson, the Mumbai Festival Advisory Committee, said, "As a Mumbai Festival Advisory Committee member, I am delighted to see this seminal cultural event take shape. A product of the collective efforts of Mumbai's public and private sector stakeholders, the festival will be an unforgettable experience for tourists and Mumbaikars alike. A tribute to the city's diversity and artistic enthusiasm, the festival showcases Mumbai's true essence: "Sapno ka Gateway", a melting pot of countless hopes, ambitions, cultures, and dreams."

Commenting on the anthem, Shamir Tandon, Composer of 'Mumbai Ek Tyohar hai' Music Anthem for the Mumbai Festival, expressed, "Mumbai, my birthplace, where dreams find their rhythm and aspirations thrive in the city's pulse. It's a vibrant tapestry where relentless dedication fuels ambitions into realities. Amidst a sea of talented musicians, engineers, and artists converging from diverse origins, I found my place within this bustling ecosystem.

Crafting the "Mumbai Ek Tyohar Hai" anthem for the Mumbai festival was a cherished opportunity, a celebration that resonates with the essence of this cosmopolitan hub. Embracing voices from every corner of the nation in this lively metropolis, we stitched together 'Mumbai Ek Tyohar Hai,' an anthem harmonising myriad influences and genres.

Through a symphony of varied instruments and melodies, we painted a musical canvas honouring the city's unity in diversity. The resonating beats of the Nasik Dhol, the spirited rhythms of Garba, and the triumphant echoes of Balle Balle mirror the essence of Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi cultures interwoven seamlessly within Mumbai's fabric.

We welcomed iconic voices like Sukhwinder, Falguni Pathak, Avadhoot Gupte, Harshdeep Kaur, and others, and we captured the soul of their regions in every note. This amalgamation of talent and sonic heritage epitomises Mumbai—a perpetual festival that pulsates with life day and night, earning its title as the city that never sleeps. We have also captured the underbelly of Mumbai with Dharavi Boys rapping what they feel!

In this anthem, we encapsulated Mumbai's spirit—a melodic saga that unites myriad cultures into one symphony, echoing the unity in our city of dreams."

Padmashri Shankar Mahadevan, Award-winning Singer and Composer, said, "Thrilled to lend my voice to Mumbai Festival's anthem, a rhythmic piece embodying diverse emotions, spirit, and unity. As a proud Mumbaikar, contributing to this project has been a joyous experience. Special thanks to the collective of singers, Sukhwinder Singh, Harshdeep Kaur, Falguni Pathak, Avdhoot Gupte, the Dharavi Boys and Shamir Tandon for infusing true brilliance into the anthem. Music, with its unique power to connect, will resonate through this anthem. I eagerly look forward to the Mumbai Festival, where our collective voices will echo the festive spirit of Mumbai.”

Excited about the collaboration, Dolly from The Dharavi Dream Project, said, "Dharavi, often recognised as the second-largest slum in Asia, conceals a treasure—the continent's second-largest recycling hub. At The Dharavi Dream Project, our musical compositions draw inspiration from the beating heart of these streets. Our journey has been shaped by the genuine rhythms of Mumbai's gullies, fostering a deep connection with the community. Through music, we empower the talented youth, transforming these streets into stages of opportunity, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow."

As the Mumbai Festival draws nearer, the anthem previews the cultural extravaganza that awaits, ensuring a nine-day celebration that will win over the hearts of tourists and Mumbai residents.