MUMBAI: When composer Ram Sampath set out to create the score for Celebrating Colors of India, his vision was clear – to capture the essence of joy, transformation, and cultural pride. “I began with the core idea of Duniya Ko Rang Do – bringing joy and transformation through colour,” he shares. Drawing inspiration from his earlier work for Birla Opus Paints’ Make Life Beautiful campaign, Sampath sought to design music that could both honour India’s heritage and feel strikingly modern. The result, he explains, is “a score that feels both grand and personal, much like the monuments it honours.”
The film’s animation and visual storytelling played a crucial role in shaping his composition. Guided by the journey of the Opus Boy, Sampath allowed the character’s sense of discovery to dictate the flow of sound. “I used gentle, lighter tones to reflect his exploration, gradually moving towards fuller, more expansive sounds as the transformation unfolded,” he notes. The pacing, too, was deliberate — “The tempo was built to heighten anticipation before the reveal, opening into a broad and uplifting theme. This mirrored the grandeur of the monuments while keeping the music warm and human.”
At the heart of the score lies the translation of colour into music – a challenge Sampath embraced by weaving in India’s cultural soundscape. “Colour in India carries layers of emotion, tradition, and celebration, and I wanted the score to reflect that richness,” he explains. To achieve this, he leaned on instruments that bring both authenticity and vibrancy. “The dhol, ravan hatta, and morsing added an authentic texture, infusing the music with energy and life. Together, they created a soundscape where colour and music became inseparable.”
For Sampath, timeless music isn’t just about melody – it’s about emotional truth. “A timeless score is one that feels emotionally true, instantly memorable, and deeply rooted in culture while still speaking to everyone,” he says. In his view, the music must go beyond simply accompanying visuals; it must become an emotional bridge. “Cultural roots make it relatable, and universal emotions make it resonate. The music’s role is to breathe life into the campaign’s story, ensuring the message isn’t just heard but truly felt.”
With Celebrating Colors of India, Sampath has once again proven his ability to create soundscapes that feel lived, immersive, and unforgettable – a celebration of India’s spirit, painted in music.