Arts and Entertainment

Grad student aims to unify Penn Staters through musical collaboration

Pradit Kulshreshtha wants his Penn State anthem to unite cultures on campus.  Credit: Pradit Kulshreshtha. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — “Together We Are One” is Pradit Kulshreshtha’s very own tribute to Penn State. Now he wants to make it everyone’s ode to the school.

“With the changing times, there’s a need for Penn State to adapt new ways to capture the young brilliant minds worldwide and music is something which requires no language to inspire and communicate,” said Kulshreshtha, a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and master’s student in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Released in the summer, the India-born Kulshreshtha composed and wrote the 3-minute, 40-second tune, with support from a $1,000 Ardeth and Norman Frisbey International Student Award, given by Penn State Global Programs for "outstanding contributions to international understanding." His vision is to make Penn State's name known across the world as a school that empowers unity among students and faculty from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

It's Kulshreshtha's vocals on "Together We Are One," but he's also giving others a voice in the song’s progression. He’s seeking online feedback on the tune, hopes to produce a music video that will enlist the talents of multiple Penn Staters, and will share the song’s vocals and music for anyone to customize his creation to fit their musical tastes.

"Even with a basic knowledge in audio production software, Penn Staters will be able to manifest a great sounding version of the song without bearing any extra cost of hiring expensive artists," he said. "More than anything, this music project will allow Penn State’s enriched diversity of Samaritans to work together and stand in union to echo the University’s core values across the globe."

Kulshreshtha’s lyrics for “Together We Are One”:Intro

In the guiding light, by our souls

We share the echoes of love,While we stride likeThe Nittany Lion,We aim high asWe soar high,'Cause we are Penn StateThe proud Penn StateChorus'Cause together, we are oneVerseIn the freedom air, we breathe in the gloryOf our realm,Come paint the worldWith your dreamsWith honor and peace'Cause we are Penn StateThe proud Penn StateChorus

'Cause together, we are one

Click here to hear "Together We Are One." 

Last Updated October 30, 2015