A scene from ‘Had Enough’ by Sunita Sarathi

Playback singer-songwriter Sunita Sarathi’s ‘Had Enough’ was born out of frustration. Sunita, who took inspiration from her own experiences, says: “I wrote this song as a response to the countless times I have been humiliated, sexually harassed and silenced,” adding that she wanted to write songs that would “spark a fire” within women, urging them to reclaim their power and challenge the status quo.

Playback singers Nithyashree Venkatraman, Soundarya Bala Nandakumar and Sandhavi have lent their voices in this song. Soundarya, who is also an actress, says, “Sunita Akka Asked if I would like to be a part of his creation at a time when I was deeply troubled by the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor. She has been my idol since school days and I was happy to sing the song written by her with her. ,

The lyrics in English, Hindi and Tamil are a scathing indictment of misogynistic norms, with the singer expressing anguish and anger. Music has long been a powerful force for social commentary, protest, and change. According to National Award-winning music director Arvind Murali, the song can provide a soundtrack for resistance and empowerment.

The driving rhythm, distorted guitars and soaring melodies of ‘Had Enough’ create a sense of urgency, mirroring the anger that fuels the song. Music producer Jones Rupert blends elements of rock, pop and fusion to create a sonic landscape that is both rebellious and infectious.

Sunita says, “I wanted the raga and music to express the emotions felt by women, while keeping it simple so that the average person can sing or hum it. I also wanted the tempo to be upbeat with subtle Indian elements. The first half of the song expresses anger and frustration. In the latter half, the melody changes to express hope and faith in our freedom.

The music video, directed by cinematographer Subhash, features cameo roles from playback singer Sayanora Philip, singer and composer Khatija Rehman and Chinmayi Sripada. The Hindi lyrics were written by Alok Shankaran. “‘Had Enough’ has given women, including me, the courage to speak out against any form of harassment,” says Avril Quadros, former Bollywood singer and ICF PCC coach.

The song has received nearly one million views on Instagram and is available on Spotify, Apple iTunes and YouTube.