Harbhajan Singh's musical protest against vulgarity
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh is upset about the current crop of Punjabi musicians using vulgar lyrics in their songs, and has taken the musical route to register his protest. In a video out on Youtube, Bhajji recites a Punjabi poem titled Ek Suneha, set to a background score.
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh is upset about the current crop of Punjabi musicians using vulgar lyrics in their songs, and has taken the musical route to register his protest. In a video out on Youtube, Bhajji recites a Punjabi poem titled Ek Suneha, set to a background score. Through his strong verses, the cricketer has addressed the contemporary Punjabi music fraternity and has criticised them for depicting the Punjabi culture and language in a derogatory light.
Without naming any particular singer, despite many calling it an indirect dig at rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, Bhajji says that he feels ashamed to hear modern Punjabi songs and that no one has disrespected the Punjabi culture and language as much as today’s Punjabi songs do. In the poem, he says that Punjabi songs should not be just about the youth bunking classes, teasing girls, getting into romantic affairs and talking on mobile phones all night.
Bhajji seems to have support from veterans of the Punjabi music fraternity, who share his sentiments. Well-known Punjabi pop singer Juggy D feels that the vulgar songs are an outcome of young musicians looking for instant fame. “Most of them (the current set of Punjabi musicians) want instant fame and they feel that the only way to achieve that is by making vulgar songs. The songs have distasteful lyrics and videos,” says Juggy D. Manmeet Gulzaar, singer and musician for the group Meet Brothers also agrees, “We have also made inappropriate songs in the past. And I admit we were wrong in that. I think Harbhajan’s message is for the musicians to make more meaningful songs that inspire the listeners and are not just for fame and success,” confesses Manmeet.
Bhajji goes on to urge the musicians to pen songs in praise of Punjabi heroes such as Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha. “Kyu uddam Kartar Sarabha tumhare geeta de nayak nahi, Kyu aawaz tumhari Bhagat Singh de kisse gaune layak nahi,” he says in the video.
