Ahimsa
by U2

Album: Single release only (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Ahimsa" is the Sanskrit word for the absence of desire to indulge in any sort of violence. This meditative peace anthem was released by U2 on November 22, 2019 ahead of playing their first ever show in India.
  • The song is a collaboration with Indian musician and composer AR Rahman, who is best known to Western audiences for 2009's "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)," which won him an Academy Award for best original song.
  • Rahman explained the track's call for peace in an interview with Rolling Stone.

    "The concept of 'ahimsa' or non-violence - it's Indian, it's South Asian, it's Buddhist... and sometimes we have to remind people about love, about ahimsa," he said. "It takes a lot of courage to be nonviolent. It takes a lot of power. It's not a weakness, it's more power than showing might; it's going beyond that, believing in something else which is not present... something that's only in your spirit."
  • U2 played "Ahimsa" live for the first time during their December 15, 2019 gig at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium in India. The Irish rockers were joined on stage for the performance by A.R. Rahman, his daughters, Khatija and Raheema, and singer-songwriter Rianjali Bhowmick.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.