Bhojpuri songs on Kashmir now a rage

Lucknow, Aug 27 (IANS) The Bhojpuri music industry has always been receptive to changes in the political climate and this time is no different.

The abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir has led the Bhojpuri music industry to rapaciously take to songs on the subject.

The social media is flooded with such songs that are laced with humour and patriotic fervour. Some of these songs have attracted over 100,000 views.

One such song by popular Bhojpuri artiste O. P. Raj imagines a scene where a Kashmiri bride is brought to Uttar Pradesh in a palanquin and says, "Kashmir se bhauji layenge"(will get sister-in-law from kashmir) while another goes as, "Kashmir mein leb do katta zameen"(now buy land in Kashmir).

O. P. Raj said: "People want to listen to these songs. We are not commenting on Kashmiri women, nor talking about land-grabbing. The idea is to build a relationship between two states."

Awadesh Premi, a Bhojpuri singer, said: "After the abrogation of Article 370, people are talking about purchasing land in Kashmir. This is the popular sentiment and the songs reflect this."

He further explained, "Earlier, Kashmir was different from other states. Marriage is the beginning of a new relationship and strengthens bonds. After the Central government's decision, a friend said relations with Kashmiris will be streamlined when we marry in each other's land. This was the idea that we converted in to a song."

Salman Siddiqui, who is popular as Sallu Khesari-2 in the Bhojpuri music world, said: "After Article 370 was abrogated, the first thing that spread on social media was the idea of marrying Kashmiri girls and purchasing land in Kashmir. This was the idea behind my song."

His song is about a man who says his name will figure in the Guinness Book of World Records when his marriage procession goes to Kashmir.

There are several patriotic songs, hailing the Modi government and cautioning Pakistan on the Kashmir issue too.

Earlier, Vikram Singh Saini, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar district, courted controversy when he said that the party workers were happy because they would now be able to marry fair Kashmiri girls".

The Modi government had stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status by nullifying Article 370 and announced the decision to split the state into two Union Territories on August 5.