A Jarring note?

“I’ve been in this industry since 1993. But one thing that I have never compromised on is Punjabi language,” says Jassi,known for hits like Dil Lai Gayi Kudi Gujarat Di and the most recent Laung Da Lashkara from the film Patiala House . He says Punjab is losing its real voice in all the noise,hinting at songs such as Hathiyar,Panga,Banda Marna,Lak 28 Kudi Da,Saali Mirch,Punjabi Maut Toh Nahin Darde etc. “It’s atrocious that Punjabi music is celebrating violence,abuse,and aggression. The lyrics are derogatory,” he adds.

While the trendsetters may very well be singers such as Mika and Babbu Mann who came up with Dunaali and Chaklo Revolver respectively,other singers who are following them are adding more aggression and crime to their songs,be it Honey Singh,Diljit Dosanjh,Balli Riar or Gippy Grewal.

Satti says,“These songs are inspired by the American rap. But that was born on the streets — it’s their story,not ours.”

Historians say a lot of this rot stems from the cultural baggage. “In the post-Partition Punjab,we were ridiculed as refugees,as bhaape from Pakistan and the tag still haunts many of us,” says documentary maker G S Chani.

“Punjabis have been living under a false illusion of one-upmanship,and now,it’s ringing loud and lewd in their songs. We have a tribal culture,and it got worse after the Green Revolution when the nouveau riche began to show off all that should not be. It’s desperation,lack of education and awareness that has led to this situation,” says Chani.

“ Zar,zoru and zameen (material possessions,woman and land) remain the motto of Punjabis. If you don’t have a rifle or a hockey stick in your hands,or are not driving an open jeep,you are not considered a true Punjabi. Obviously,all this will be echoed in films and music,” says filmmaker Navaniat Singh.

Noted writer Surjit Patar puts it differently. He says it’s not just about Punjab. “Across India,heroes are the men who beat up other men,who have power and aggression. It’s the same in Punjab too. When did you have a poet as a hero? It’s easier to be violent and superficial,but difficult to educate yourself to become the hero this state needs.”

Patar adds,“NRIs are busy reviving traditional folk music,but life is easy there. It’s at home where people have to suffer corruption and injustice. This pent-up frustration is finding expression through these songs.” He also blames the commercialised music industry,where people are interested in making quick buck through such cheap thrills.

Satti echoes his view. “The music industry is coming out with products only for the youth,ignoring everyone else in the process. The entire focus is on packaging,on churning out instant stars who will also fade away equally soon. It’s about quantity,not quality,” she says. Satti is now working on her new album Satti Ru Ba Ru with an aim to revive the female voice in Punjab. “The idea is to incorporate different genres in Punjabi music,and have good lyrics away from truck and drugs,” she says.

In the city to promote the music of his latest film Yaara O Dildara,releasing on August 19,Mann also expresses dejection. “Only two things survive and sell in this country — cricket and Bollywood,” he says. He is also put off at too much Jat-bashing in Punjabi music. “The aim of art is to bring people together and to stoke emotions,not to misguide or incite the youth. We need to chuck out this negativity and censor all the crap.”