Chandigarh/New Delhi: As thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, travelled to Delhi to protest against the new farm laws, songs describing resistance have come alive on the routes connecting Punjab to the national capital.
The songs speak of strength in unity, the pride of the land, and the rights of the people fighting an establishment.
The protest music, as it has started being referred to now, is being shared widely on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and YouTube.
Singers who have lent their voices to such songs said it is also an assertion of their deep-rooted Punjabi identity.
As per singer Kanwar Grewal, who sung popular protest songs ‘Ailaan’ and ‘Pecha’, said: "This is a big issue for us. We are all connected with the soil."
Grewal is planning a third song ‘Jawani Zindabad’ to emphasise on the participation of youth in the farmers’ protest.
Written by Harf Cheema and sung by both Cheema and Grewal, ‘Pecha’ has garnered over 30 lakh views on YouTube.
The song mentions about the differences between Punjab and Delhi, suicides by farmers and the Centre's "kaliya niti (bad policies)”, and shows convoys of trucks and tractors blocking highways, and people shouting slogans.
"The song is about common people fighting against the government for their rights. It is a democratic country. Everyone has the right to express their views. Farmers are protesting and we are using music as a tool,” said Cheema.
Here’s a look at both the songs:
According to Cheema, 70-80 protest songs have been composed and circulated in the last few months since farmers have been protesting against the farm laws, much before they started their journey towards Delhi.
"All this is for farmers who feed us day and night. This is all we can do for them,” said Cheema.
Famous Punjabi singer and actor Harbhajan Mann, who has been backing farmers' protests, also came out with a new song earlier this week.
"'Murrde ni laye bina haq, Dilliye'... is all about how farmers, carrying rations for six months, are protesting and stresses that the safety of their fields is very important. It is a fight of their existence,” said Mann.
The video of the song shows how farmers braved water cannons and broke police barriers to continue their journey towards Delhi.
He has also come out with ‘Anndataa, Khet Saadi Maa, Khet Saadi Pagg’ (fields are our mother, fields are our pride).
"When farmers are facing tough times, it is our responsibility to stand with them. Farmers feel that these laws are not in their favour. We should support them in their agitation,” said Mann.
‘Dil le gayee kudi Gujarat di’ singer Jasbir Jassi said it is good that Punjabi artists are backing the farmers.
"Punjab ka jo jeevan hai emotional raha hai (Punjabis are known to be emotional). After a long time, Punjab is seen as Punjab. There is no Hindu or Muslim or Sikh or rich or poor. Everyone has come together, including the youth, who were earlier being accused of consuming drugs. The important thing is it has been a peaceful protest,” Jassi told news agency PTI.
Punjabi musicians Babbu Maan, Jass Bajwa, Sidhu Moosewala, R Nait, Himmat Sandu, and Anmol Gagan have also released their own songs praising the fighting spirit of the Punjabis in songs such as ‘Jatta Takda Ho Ja’, ‘Asi Vaddange’ , ‘Delhi Aa Punjab Nal Pange Thik Nahi’ and ‘Kisaan vs Rajneeti’.
The farmers fear the new farm laws will dismantle the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates. They have called for a Bharat Bandh on December 8.
