Musician Dave Martins has debuted a new song that aims to raise awareness about violence against women by appealing to men’s “better nature.”
The song, titled ‘If You’re a Man’ and an accompanying video were launched last Sunday at the Theatre Guild as part of a programme celebrating International Men’s Day 2012, staged by the Men’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Human Services.
“In the face of all the violence on women in Guyana, the song essentially asks men to consider that we should work, in our personal lives, to rise above this behaviour of brutalising women; it’s an appeal to our better nature,” Martins was quoted as saying in a press release.
The song was recorded at Kross Kolor Studios and the video was shot with local actors Paul Budnah, Nurriyih Gerrard and Becky Low. (You can view the video at http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHnDQ8rK5Ng)
“Initially, I recorded the song as a CD using local musicians, but I felt it would have greater impact as a video, and videographer Ian [Rajkumar] who worked for a very reduced fee, was paid by the Ministry of Human services to create that,” Martins said.
He also revealed that the song was a long time in the making. “It’s a very sensitive subject. There are many sides to it, including of course aggravation to males, and it took a while to get the song right, but we need to address the depraved nature of this behaviour while still doing it in a way that doesn’t offend,” he added.
Martins also heaped praise on Rajkumar and cameraman Deonarine Chand who “did a great job in getting the gritty look I wanted for the song.”
Speaking for the ministry, Deputy Permanent Secretary Patrick Findlay said the involvement with the “If You’re a Man” video was seen as an important outreach by an artist speaking to his community. “Mr Dave Martins has represented the sentiments of the Ministry of Human Services and particularly the Men’s Affair Bureau with regards to the way men should treat their wives and the women in their lives,” he said.
Prior to the airing of the video, the programme at the Theatre Guild featured a variety of musical talent, including songs from Circle of Love, the Messengers, Prisoners of Purpose, the Mighty Ballack and the Police Steel Orchestra together with comedy from Allendy Henry and a dance piece from the Dominion Dancers. Gerrard also read two amusing Louise Bennett poems, the release said.
DVDs of the video are being distributed to local television stations and copies will be available for purchase.
