Singers on the roof of Yuzana Plaza prepare to sing Our Helping Hands, written especially to raise money for victims of Cyclone Nargis. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

“HAVE our lives been lost forever in a very short time as in a play? What we have built up by our relentless effort has fallen down and spread by our side. Shall we have to write everything right from the very beginning, about the cruelty and ruthlessness of the expanse of water? Is whatever we have won in our lives subject to the law of impermanence?”

It is June 18 and music can be heard playing on the top floor of the Yuzana Plaza. The artists, clad in black and white, stand calmly, their eyes narrowed in compassion. Zaw Pai, Chaw Su Khin and L Lon Wah appear gloomy even though they have already sung their vocal parts.

The roof of the Yuzana Plaza is being used by MTV and the assembled artists to sing kanlint mae latt myar (Our Helping Hands), composed in honour of the Nargis victims by three musicians: Khin Mg Thant, Reggie and Nge Su Thit. Twenty-two artists sing in union.

Khin Mg Thant, one of the composers, told the Myanmar Times that all the artists and technical crew have waived their fees to produce the single and that all the money raised will be used to make donations.

The seven minute song has been a few weeks in the making, stemming from the experiences many of the artists have had whilst making donations.

“We made a lot of donation trips to the affected areas and we saw and heard many tragedies. I have vivid memories of the scenes in my head. Thinking about the possibility of losing my own family like them, I wanted to do something and I couldn’t wait even a second,” says Khin Mg Thant, the bass guitarist of Iron Cross.

“So, I created the songs with Raeji and Nge Su Thit. I did all the instrumental recording alone without waiting for my band-mates, who were also making donation trips individually,” he added.

Reggie, a fellow composer of the song, considers how he composed the song emotionally and what he hopes it will achieve: “Imagine being there. You’ve lost your possessions but you can replace these with new ones, but if you lose your mum, dad, wife, children and family, where will you get them again? You can replace physical losses but there is nothing that can replace this kind of loss,” he says.

“Like other artists, I haven’t gone and made donations to the people from affected areas yet. As a composer, I can’t support the relief effort with much money. Writing this song, I suppose that I am helping the victims as much as I can with my artistic temperament. I hope the people will share our feelings through the song and will have a will to help more,” he adds.

Composer Nge Su Thit, who lost half of his relatives who lived in the delta region, says he hopes the song can inspire people to give more help to the needy.

“The price of the album is not much. Everyone can buy it. I request that everyone buy the album and help the victims to rebuild their lives by listening to the song.”

Zam Nuu who sings on the record is keen to communicate to those who have suffered that people care and want to help. “While I was singing the song I remembered the heartrending scenes from my trips to make donations. I sang the song because I want them [the victims] to know there are many people who want to help them and who offer their support eagerly,” she says.

Give your helping hand with love. They are waiting for helpers to ensure the blooming of their lives once again. These final lyrics of the song invite the public to offer their support and buy the single, which is scheduled for release in July.

The artists featured on the single are Lay Phyu, Ah Nge, Myo Gyi, Zaw Pai, Y Wine, R Zarni, Herry Linn, Bo Phyu, Mg Mg Zaw Latt, L Lon Wah, Han Tun, Nor Naw, Tha O, Chaw Su Khin, Tin Zar Maw, Lay Lay Wah, Thiri J Mg Mg, Sung Thin Par, Chit Thu Wai, Gyo Gyar, Zam Nuu and Cindy.