Sonu Nigam and Devrishi reunite for civic pride 'Halla Bol'

When India’s cleanest city needed its boldest anthem yet, legendary singer Sonu Nigam and sonic visionary Devrishi delivered. As Indore clinched the Swachh Survekshan title for a record eighth time, the heart of the celebration beat to a powerful new song: “Halla Bol – Swachhta ka Sirmaur Indore.”

Far from being just another awareness jingle, ‘Halla Bol’ is a sonic statement—part tribute, part transformation. The anthem fuses nostalgia and newness by echoing the legendary 2016 track ‘Ho Halla’, which once redefined civic engagement in Indore. Now, nearly a decade later, its spirit returns in a bigger, more powerful form.

The Voice of Change: From Shaan to Sonu

While singer Shaan had become the beloved voice of Indore’s earlier anthems—‘Ho Halla’, ‘Ho Halla Again’, and ‘Hai Halla’—this year’s challenge called for a deeper emotional resonance. Recognizing the moment’s gravity, Additional Commissioner Abhilash Mishra proposed the name of Sonu Nigam, whose voice could evoke both reverence and rhythm.

The song was created and composed by Devrishi, the composer-philosopher formerly known as Rishikesh Pandey, who has been the creative soul behind all of Indore’s Swachhta songs since 2016. “This wasn’t just about a song—it was about cultural memory,” says Devrishi. “We wanted to bring back the emotional pulse of ‘Ho Halla’ while infusing it with renewed pride and collective spirit.”

More from Entertainment

'Jugnuma' Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee-Deepak Dobriyal’s terrific performances stood out in this beautifully restrained way of storytelling 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' Movie Review: The final goodbye of Julian Fellowes’s beloved British soap

Crafting the Anthem: Sonic Memory Meets Social Message

The title ‘Halla Bol’ was chosen to maintain continuity with the original ‘Ho Halla’ campaign. But the citizens of Indore had voted in a tagline—‘Swachhta ka Sirmaur’ (The Crown of Cleanliness)—during a citywide contest. The Mayor’s wish was to integrate public sentiment into the song, and thus, the full title was born.

Musically, Devrishi resurrected familiar lyrical threads:

“Gali gali aur mohalla, karte karte ho halla… Swachhta ke doot banke hum chale ghar ghar mohalla” — a callback to the original anthem, now reimagined in Nigam’s rich, emotive voice.
Initially, Sonu Nigam thought it might be a routine government campaign song. But as Devrishi played the melody in the studio, the celebrated singer immersed himself in its soul, offering multiple takes with variations and heartfelt improvisations. “This is different,” Sonu reportedly said. “It makes you feel proud to be part of something larger.”

A Music Video for the People

The accompanying video moves away from glamour and focuses on everyday heroes: sanitation workers, children, common citizens. “We wanted to celebrate the real faces of this movement,” says Devrishi. “Those who rise before the city does and clean its streets with silent dignity.”

Shot across Indore’s neighborhoods, the video features people lip-syncing the anthem, waving flags, and applauding safai karmacharis. It’s a rare example of civic art where administration meets aesthetics, policy meets poetry.

Devrishi: The Mystic Composer of Civic Sound

With a career that bridges ad-filmmaking, devotional music, and now, sonic philosophy, Devrishi has redefined how music can influence public behavior. From ‘More Raipur’ with Javed Ali to ‘Swachhta ki Rajdhani’ for Bhopal, his city-centric anthems have sparked musical revolutions across India.

But it’s Indore where his legacy stands tallest. With every win, he gave the city a new song. And with ‘Halla Bol’, he’s not just celebrating another trophy—but sculpting a cultural memory that will outlast the rankings.