An Unforgettable Tune 

Before you scroll down, do spare a few minutes to hear the song!

Ask any IOCian what these words are, and they will instantly break into a tune. That is the enduring impact of the IndianOil song, which was launched during the Corporation’s Golden Jubilee celebrations 11 years ago.

It was a determined effort by a team of IOCians and one of India’s foremost voices (and bands) that saw the creation of this peppy number.

“Work on the song started in January 2009 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, preparations for which were headed by then Director (HR), VC Agrawal. Every refinery had a song and the plan was to bring out a unified song for the Corporation. The premise for the song was whenever an IOCian listens to it, they should associate with it, feel proud and motivated,” says Mr. Sanjay Tripathi, who recently retired as CGM (Corporate Communications), Northern Region, and part of the team tasked to develop the song back then.

There were two mountains to climb, finalising the lyrics and getting it in a tune.

“We enlisted the services of Dentsu Communications for the project. There were a lot of deliberations with the lyrics and the IndianOil team was hands-on in developing the lyrics along with the agency. We ensured our values were highlighted and tributes were paid to our predecessors,” says Mr. Tripathi, who was then Chief Manager (CC), Corporate Office. “Finalising the lyrics took two months, it was initially six-seven verses and then reduced to five,” he adds.

Once the words were in place, what was needed was a powerful voice and a catchy tune.

“We initially thought of roping in singer Shaan. But he was just a singer, and we were searching for someone who could do both, sing and compose. We also wanted a voice which wasn’t very mainstream but at the same time relatable,” says Mr. Tripathi.

The IndianOil team reached out to Dr. Palash Sen, the frontman of Euphoria, one of India’s leading homegrown bands.

Fondly recalling the entire project, Dr. Sen says, “I normally compose a tune first, and then work on the lyrics. But for this project, the lyrics were already set. This was the first instance of my career where I had to compose a tune after the lyrics were framed.”

“I worked on the chorus first. The line was IndianOil meri pehchan hai, and I made it IndianOil, IndianOil, IndianOil meri pehchan hai. Repeating IndianOil thrice made it more powerful. I planned to compose the entire song in three days. But the lyrics were so inspiring and powerful, we finished composing the tune in one sitting,” says Dr. Sen.

“We were nervous about the song and presenting it in front of the IndianOil board. Dr. Sen assured us it would go well, and he came to present the song with only a guitarist in tow and not the band,” says Mr. Tripathi.

“I was convinced that I wouldn’t need the entire band while performing for the Board. Only if the song worked, the music worked. And we knew the song would work,” says Dr. Sen.

“It was a masterstroke. The top management was stunned by his voice. After he finished, they looked at each other and started applauding. He performed an encore too. Mr. Sarthak Behuria (then Chairman) said this version could be the song itself. That was the green light we needed,” says Mr. Tripathi.

The song was recorded ahead of the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee celebrations at Vigyan Bhavan in June 2009 and performed there in front of a live audience.

“We played it once and then we were called again to perform, the audience was in rapture. It was phenomenal, an experience we have never had since,” says Dr. Sen.

The song had an immediate effect on the IndianOil fraternity.

“CDs were made and dispatched to all locations across the country. IOCians started relating with this song, and it has truly become a motivating anthem. Every meeting and event start with this song,” says Mr. Tripathi.

“The passion with which the IndianOil team worked for this song was infectious. Even today, when we are touring across the country, IOCians approach us and tell us about the song. We have had so many instances where even children of IOCians walk up to us and talk to us about the song. It highlights the legacy of this song,” says Dr. Sen.

“We are happy to have made the song for one of India’s greatest companies. And to see that it still is cherished by the company, and motivates employees, is very humbling for us,” says Dr. Sen.

The song will truly go on to inspire and remind IOCians of their karam, imaan, aan and shaan for the times to come as IndianOil forges ahead to be a truly global energy major.