Synopsis

Shot entirely in black and white, the "Krishna" video follows a schoolboy caught between childhood innocence and teenage defiance. His rebellious behavior disappoints the older members of his family, creating a tense emotional break. Shame and remorse eventually give way to forgiveness and reconciliation. The narrative unfolds alongside Colonial Cousins' fusion of Hariharan's devotional singing and Leslee Lewis' English-language pop vocals, connecting a traditional spiritual mood with the concerns of a modern, changing generation.

Factoids & Trivia

• The song was released on Colonial Cousins' self-titled debut album in 1996, during the peak of India's Indipop era.

• Hariharan's opening devotional passage draws on the Kannada bhajan "Krishna Nee Begane Baro," while the English sections question religious conflict and call for a more peaceful world.

• The black-and-white presentation set the video apart from the bright, consumer-oriented style common in many Indian pop videos of the period.

• The music video received the Star Videocon Award for Best Music Video.

• The song was reportedly recorded, mixed, and mastered roughly two years before it was released.

• Its arrangement deliberately places Indian devotional vocals, bansuri, tabla, and classical phrasing alongside contemporary Western pop production.