The ‘shelter’, once filled with loneliness, alienation and silence, suddenly turns into a shared space of warmth, hope and companionship—all because of one song. Chandni Raat by Ali Sethi
By Palak Jha
I revisited this beautiful song with my classmates recently, and I was so deeply moved that I have penned this article. The song is a moving piece of music that combines peace and beauty with visuals that get etched deep inside the heart.
Chandni Raat captures the listener’s attention with its calm, yet, haunting melody, bringing to life images of a quiet, detached serenity, mixed with intense inner struggle and the restlessness of uncertainty. The setting where this song unfolds is just as powerful—a dimly lit hall, like a big refugee tent in nowhere, cloaked in shadows, and tinged with an air of mystery and solitude. It’s almost desolate, a place where silence speaks louder than words, and every object tells a story of resilience, loneliness and survival.
This hall is like a shelter, made perhaps of glass and other material, though many of its panes are cracked and broken. The broken glass gives a sense of struggle and loss, a reminder of lives touched by hardship.
Along the room’s walls are cement benches, cold and uninviting, reflecting the harsh realities the people have been compelled to face. The room itself feels cold and hollow, as if warmth is something rare and precious.
People gather around a small fire in the middle of the room, made up of newspapers, trying to draw whatever comfort they can from the little warmth it offers. Some sit alone, wrapped in silence, their faces hidden behind newspapers; others try to lose themselves in simple games, like playing cards.
In one corner, parents take care of their young children, feeding them, or, softly rocking them to sleep. It’s a place where everyone is looking for some kind of distraction, a small moment of peace an sanity in a world that feels tough and unforgiving.
Amid this quiet, a young man walks into the ‘shelter’. There’s something about him—a sense of purpose that feels out of place in this dark, dreary space. He carries a kind of light within him, a quiet confidence, and he doesn’t hesitate as he moves toward the center of the room.
Without saying a word, he begins to sing Chandni Raat, and his voice is like a gentle breeze moving through the room. It’s soft but strong, a voice that seems to carry hope and warmth. The melody and lyrics are delicate yet powerful, and as it fills the room, something magical happens.
The song’s peaceful tune and heartfelt words start to melt away the tension hanging so thick in the air. People who were once lost in their own worlds begin to look up, turning their faces toward the singer. They seem drawn to his voice, in a collective bond, as though they can feel the warmth and kindness he has ushered in.
Slowly, their expressions begin to soften. The weight they have been carrying, seems to lift a little. For the first time, there are small smiles on their faces, and people who were once strangers begin to exchange glances, almost as if they are seeing each other for the first time.
This is where the true luminescence of the song shines through—not just in the melody or lyrics, but in its ability to connect people. The song acts as a bridge, bringing together individuals from different backgrounds, religions, and life experiences, trapped perhaps in a conflict zone. It reminds them of something they may have forgotten: their shared humanity. It’s as though the song peels back the layers of fear, hurt, uncertainty, and mistrust that has built up over time, revealing something pure and universal beneath.
As the song reaches its final notes, a quiet transformation happens. People start to rise, one by one, and move towards the singer.
They stand together, looking up at the moonlight that bathes everything in a soft glow. In that moment, they are no longer simply individuals surviving in a harsh world. They are suddenly a community, united by a shared experience of peace and connection. The ‘shelter’, once filled with loneliness, alienation and silence, suddenly turns into a shared space of warmth, hope and companionship—all because of one song.
This powerful moment reminds everyone that even in the darkest times, there are sparks of light and hope. The singer’s heartfelt performance has done more than entertain—it has reached into the hearts of each person, pulling them out of isolation, into a shared moment of peace. Music, in this way, becomes a language that everyone understands, a way to communicate feelings that words alone could never express. It brings people together in a way that few things can, offering comfort and connection to those who need it most.
Chandni Raat is more than just a song. It’s a moment that lingers in the hearts of those who hear it, a reminder that no matter how hard life gets, there is always something beautiful to hold onto. There will always be a way to find light, even if it’s just a sliver of moonlight breaking through the clouds.
Palak Jha is a Class 10 student of Dr BR Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence (SoSE), Andrews Ganj, Delhi Board of Secondary Eduction, Delhi government.