Noted lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar has penned a new song "Zindagi Pukaarti Hai" (Life Beckons), which he said wold be recorded in Bombay and performed live at a movie awards function on January 18.

Popular Bollywood music composers brothers Jatin and Lalit, who only use one name each, have composed the music and the recording will take place at their private studio.

"The song is about keeping a positive outlook to life and calls on people to help society at large," Akhtar said.

"The sales and distribution details are being finalised and after this the music video and CDs would be released," he said. All the proceeds would go to tsunami victims and relief work.

The number of people officially declared dead or missing in India from the December 26 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis is more than 16,000.

Bollywood playback singers Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan are among those involved in the planned recording.