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How Rap has become a “Boht Hard” Instrument of Protest

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Yeh Rap hai chhote, mera rap hai
Society ki gandagi par bahut bada slap hai!
Ae Duniya walon, Ae Duniya walon
               Kahaani yeh purani hai,       
Kala se hi invent hui, har yug ki kranti hai!
Chahe kalam ki ho takat,
Yaan phir ghungroo ki jhankar
Tabble ki ho taal, yaan ho
Canvas par rangon ki bochhar!

Yeh Rap hai chhote, mera rap hai
Society ki gandagi par bahut bada slap hai!
Chitra ek, paigam ek, Aawaz ek hai
Kala ki anekta mein, Kranti ek hai!
Sati ho yaan jauhar ho
Yaan Nirbhaya par Atyachar,
Premchand ki lekhni ho
Yaan Deepika ki acting zordar,
Saalon ki Kuritiyon  ko kala ne hai moda
Andh vishwas ki bediyon ko, kala ne hai toda!

Yeh Rap hai chhote, mera rap hai
Society ki gandagi par bahut bada slap hai!
Kala ki Kranti, talwar se kam nahin,
Nritya ki thap tandav se kam nahin!
Kala se Kranti ne buland aawaz uthhayi hai,
Naezy aur Divine ke rap ne anti-social system ki
Dhajjiyan udayi hain

Yeh Rap hai chhote, mera rap hai
Society ki gandagi par bahut bada slap hai!
                                                                     
                                                       -Nandini Suri

Poster made by Nandini Suri

Music has always been a medium of protesting against the socio-economic realities of the country. When the chants of resilience and the notes of dissent reverberate around the country, it is there to shake things up! Protest music finds its roots in the genre of ‘hip-hop’, which has contributed to the recent upsurge of ‘rap culture’ in the country. Rap has been brewing in the narrow lanes of many cities in India.

While Zoya Akhtar’s 2018 release Gully Boy gave the Indian rap culture a much needed mainstream attention, rap has been an integral part of the lives of many young people of Dharavi, for the past two decades. They use rap to agitate against the existing caste, class, religious and gender divisions in the society.

Not only Dharavi, rap has also been instrumental in asserting Dalit identities in the districts of Punjab. Popularly known as the ‘Chamar Pop’, this genre of music has been protesting against caste discrimination through its powerful lyrics and catchy beats.

Rap music has also found an outlet in Kahmir. Kashmiri hip-hop is fuelled by political themes and the social issues that plague the society. Rap is being used to bring about tangible change in the immediate surroundings. It is as much a form of protest as an effort to raise awareness and educate people. Many rap artists are also using this form of music to throw light on the environmental concerns.

With lyrical witticism, catchy and colloquial phrases, artists are using rap as a medium of storytelling. They are telling their stories, their struggles and their concerns through this medium.
Rap is here to stay. Rap is here to protest. Rap is here to bring about a change.



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