Indian's composition chosen as Mars Anthem

Mars Society, the world's largest and most influential advocacy organization focused on the Red Planet has named Oscar Castellino’s blazing composition ‘Rise to Mars’ as the ‘Mars Anthem’. Castellino, 31, a science graduate from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, worked as a software analyst. In 2011, British-Indian soprano Patricia Rozario noticed his talent and then there was no looking back. With a scholarship to London's prestigious Royal College of Music, singing for Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee pageant, and numerous opera roles, he has come a long way. Currently, he's on scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music. His physics background and curiosity got the better of him as he met Dr. Zubrin who is the president of the Mars Society and also an impetus behind Mars Direct' – a design that NASA adopted for its Mars mission. Mars Society wanted an anthem and Castellino decided to give it a shot as Mars was his inspiration and music his tool. Castellino was surprised and delighted to know that his song was chosen as the Mars Anthem. Zubrin said that the song is very inspiring and truly conveys the hopes of those reaching for the Red Planet. Zubrin who co-wrote the lyrics said, “I would not be surprised if Castellino's composition some day became the national anthem of the Free Martian Republic.”