AR Rahman and Mukhtar Sahota Sneha Mistri

The project, which started off in January in response to the Tsunami in Asia, was given further impetus by the recent earthquake in Kashmir.

It has culminated in a CD due to be released next week titled 'We can Make it Better'.

A total of seventeen artists have come together for the single. The track is produced by Mukhtar Sahota, with string arrangements by AR Rahman.

Others artists include Sukhwinder Singh, Jaspinder Narula, Shaan, Hans Raj Hans, UK Apache, Am'nico, Dhami (Heera), Channi (Alaap), Djinn, Mistri, E=MC, Shahin Badar, Sumeet, Surinder Sandhu ( sarangi ), and Shahbaz Khan ( tabla ).

Mukhtar Sahota said: "The idea behind the track was to take a similar approach as to the Band Aid single but with Asian artists from around the world. Asian music is so diverse and I felt that if we can bring different music genres, from Eastern and Western continents together, we can make a difference and at the same time the recording could be a history in the making."

Money from the single will go to Save the Children in India and Islamic Relief.

Singer Sneha Mistri said: "After seeing the images on TV I just felt lost and helpless with all the suffering going on. So when I was approached to be part of this, I felt a sense of relief to be able to do something.

"I hope that we can make a difference, however small because we will always have more then those people directly affected in both tragedies."

The project is the result of a collaboration between InternalMusic, Streetlife productions and Realtone Records. The video for the single, featuring all the artists, was shot in 3 locations: the UK, India and Canada earlier this year and made over a 4 week period.

Organisers say all artists gave their time free of charge and the money raised will be donated to the charities excluding any distribution and retail costs that may apply.

The single is due for release on Friday 11th November from HMV and Asian music outlets.