Chandigarh: As farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, continue their protest at the borders of national capital Delhi, which began in late November, the internet is being flooded with songs of revolution and rebellion.
Inspired by the farmers’ agitation that began many months ago, Punjabi and Haryanvi singers are churning out one number after another, and garnering millions of views online.
This comes at a time when farmers have refused to budge from their demands of a total repeal of the Narendra Modi government’s three new farm laws, even after the Centre proposed written assurance on the issue of minimum support price and seven other amendments to the new laws.
Also read: Indian farmers want parity, not charity. Modi govt would do well to not teach them agriculture
Punjab’s current spate
The biggest names from the Punjabi music and film industry have lent their support to the agitation and farmers’ causes in general, and sung dozens of songs on government apathy towards farmers and Punjab.
The ‘Kisan Anthem’, sung by more than 10 Punjabi singers led by Mankirt Aulakh, has gathered 1.8 million views as of Wednesday evening after being released just a day earlier.
Kanwar Grewal, another popular singer who has been part of the farmers’ agitation since it began in June and is camping with them at Tikri border, also released a song Tuesday, titled ‘Jawani Zindabad’. The song is an ode to the role played by the youth in this agitation.
Rajvir Sidhu released ‘Delhi Fateh’ Tuesday, Gagan Mallah released ‘Sun Delhiye’, G. Sandhu put out ‘Chup Karja Delhiye’, while Smart-E aired ‘Baaghi Kisan’ Monday, and Pinder Kahlon released ‘Kisan Andolan’ Wednesday.
Grewal had earlier sung ‘Pecha’ in collaboration with Harf Cheema. This song, which has garnered 2.8 million views since its release on 21 November, states:
“Naal tere Punjab Singha, bas na di yaari dilli dee
Kaalia neetiya karde laagu, oh niyat maari dilli dee
Tere gall tak pahuch gayee aa aan kuhadi dilli dee
Oh teri khudhkushian to kahto vajdi taari dilli dee.”
(With you, Punjab Singh, Delhi has a bond just in name,
When black policies are laid down, Delhi makes its bad intentions clear,
Delhi’s axe has reached your neck
Delhi doesn’t care if you commit suicide)
In October, the same team had released ‘Ailaan’ which got 2 million views.
Actor-singer Harbhajan Mann has also sung a couple of songs on the farmers’ protests. Last week, he released ‘Haq’, penned by Harvinder Tatla, which said: “Mehla vicho nikal ke tak Dilliye/Mud-de nahi laye bina haq Dilliye (Delhi, get out of your palaces and see, we will not return without our rights).” This video has garnered 5,35,000 views so far.
Mann’s other song on the issue, ‘Anndata’, which was released a month ago, is a soft soulful number, expressing gratitude to the farmer and his profession.
Ranjit Bawa, another popular singer and composer, released an album titled ‘Bolda Punjab’ last week. Its title song was an instant hit with 3.4 million views.
Its lyrics said: “Ni tu jina nu si udta Punjab dasdi, Dilli ja ke paate kachehre sukne
Rabb na kare gora pher aa gaya, le layo azaadi pher yoga kar ke
(Those whom you called drug addicts are now drying their clothes in Delhi
God forbid if the British come back to rule, you can get freedom by doing yoga).”
Singer Jazzy B released ‘Bagawataan’ last week, while actor-singer Gippy Grewal released ‘Zaalam Sarkaaraan’.
Himmat Sandhu’s song ‘Asi vaddange’, which came out two months ago, has 7.1 million views.
Another actor-singer, Darshan Aulakh, released ‘Kisan’ two months ago.
Farmer-related songs released in September included Anmulla Jatt’s ‘Kisan’, Elly Mangat’s ‘Baaghi Kisan’ and B. Sandhu’s ‘Kisan vs Delhi’.
Haryanvi singers too follow suit
Not to be left behind, Haryanvi singers too are putting out songs in the farmers’ support and exhibiting revolutionary fervour.
Kelam Siwach’s ‘Kisan Delhiye’, released Monday, states: “Hak lene aaya se kisan Dilliye, leven na tu humare imtihaan Dilliye (We are here to claim our rights, don’t test us too much, Delhi).”
Another popular singer, Raju Punjabi, released ‘Kisan’ Monday.
Other Haryanvi songs on the issue so far, include Ajay Hooda’s ‘Kisan vs Delhi’, released last week, and Nitin Chaniaala’s ‘Kisan Andolan’ released on last month.
Also read: Farmers with tractors, hookahs & chaupar — rare photos of protests at Delhi’s Boat Club
Hope these songs are not misogynist in nature and demean women – atypical of Punjabi songs. Little wonder why Punjab’s gender ratio is so skewed.
As a response GOI should introduce quota for every state in FCI procurement, right now majority of procurement is happening from Punjab which is unfair to all the rest of the states. Why should rice eaten in West Bengal come from Punjab rather than Bengali farmers.
Plenty of farmers protesting and rightly so, maybe stop listening to everything the media tells you.
Let’s hope these tyrant laws overturn
Punjab and Haryana comprises just 4% of the Indian population. Rest are not interested.
More “supporters” of farmers than farmers themselves…