Music maestro A. R. Rahman launched his latest album, Raunaq,with Sony Music, pledging it to Vogue India’s social awareness initiative Vogue Empower at Blue Frog, Mumbai. The lead track of the album ‘laadli’ has been created in collaboration with Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court Mr. Kapil Sibal, who has given the lyrics and Ms. Lata Mangeshkar, who is the voice of the song together with A. R. Rahman. ‘Laadli’ reflects the theme of women’s empowerment. The album is available on Sony Music.

 Mr. Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, Condé Nast Indiasaid, “Vogue Empower is an important and powerful milestone in Vogue India’s journey. As we celebrate our seventh anniversary this year, we thought it opportune that we use our equity and clout to generate tangible change in an area that affects women of all generations, across all social spheres. As influencers across various fields pledge their support to the cause of women’s empowerment by lending their skills and resources, Vogue India reinforces the role it’s been playing so far—that of a powerful voice and a catalyst of change. We are excited to collaborate with personalities like Mr A. R. Rahman, Mr Kapil Sibal and Ms Lata Mangeshkar who have together created a beautiful composition ‘laadli’. And we are particularly elated that Mr. A.R. Rahman has pledged to dedicate an entire album to the cause of women’s empowerment. This is amazing.”

Ms. Priya Tanna, Editor of Vogue India introduced the Vogue Empower initiative and that Vogue India has launched this initiative to celebrate its seventh anniversary this October. The October Anniversary issue of Vogue India which is all about women’s empowerment was unveiled in the presence of Mr. A. R. Rahman, Mr. Alex Kuruvilla and Ms. Priya Tanna. The cover features twelve opinion makers and influencers who are some of Vogue India’s key ‘Agents of Change’ including Mr. A. R. Rahman.

Ms. Priya Tanna, Editor, Vogue India, who has conceived the Vogue Empower initiative said, “Vogue Empower is the most ambitious project that we've undertaken. When we launched this social awareness initiative for women to coincide with the seventh anniversary of Vogue India, we knew the intent had to translate into an impact creating outcome. We are excited, charged and inspired by the initiative and the incredible response it has garnered. At the very beginning when we made our wish list of dream collaborators, Mr. A.R. Rahman’s name figured prominently and unanimously so it's both a matter of pride and joy that we garnered his support on Vogue Empower. We have full belief that Raunaq will play an integral role in raising and spreading awareness on women and their issues which need a voice, an audience and a call to action. The message is simple - It starts with you!”

A.R. Rahman, Mr. Kapil Sibal together with Mr. Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director, Sony Music India presented a plaque of acknowledgment to Mr. Alex Kuruvilla and Ms. Priya Tanna and unveiled Mr. A. R. Rahman’s album Raunaq- A conversation of Music and Poetry. The video of the title track ‘laadli’ played out for all to enjoy.

Mr A. R. Rahman said, “I PLEDGE to spread the message of Vogue Empower by dedicating my latest album, Raunaq, to this campaign. The album echoes the significance of the cause, women’s empowerment, with the song and video, Laadli, created in collaboration with Kapil Sibal and Lata Mangeshkar. ”

Mr Kapil Sibaladded, “Laadli is the raunaq of life. She is central to the album. She is central to life”

Raunaq is a unique first time collaboration between the legendary A.R. Rahman and the multi-talented Kapil Sibal. Written by Mr. Kapil Sibal and composed by A. R. Rahman, the album is a conversation of music and poetry that takes you on a journey of varied emotions. A. R. Rahman has also played the role of a visual story teller and has conceived the narrative of the lead music video. The album features seven songs sung by the best artists from the music industry including Lata Mangeshkar, Chitra, Shreya Ghosal, Mohit Chauhan, Shweta Pandit and Jonita Gandhi. 

Sony Music will ensure that the album is available across all leading digital platforms and music stores. Adding on Mr. Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director, Sony Music India said, “We began our relationship with Rahman over 15 years ago and have worked with him on numerous award winning projects. Raunaq is one such album which has a different sound and each song is lyrically rich. Today, we dedicate this album to Vogue Empower, a social awareness initiative that draws attention to women's empowerment and we are proud to support this cause.”