Is it all about beats?

Gurnaaz Kaur

Ekko heel de naal main katteya ae ek saal ve… Mainu kadey ta lai jaya kar tu shopping mall ve… Mainu lehenga le de mehanga ja marjaneya…Aine paise dass tu kithe laike jaane ae…” the song by Jas Manak has over a million views as of now. And, if you’ve seen the video, there’s an attractive couple squabbling as the woman is annoyed at her partner for not buying her an expensive lehenga.

There is a long list of such songs, including Naah Goriye, Jaguar, Lamberghini, Prada, among others. The portrayal of a woman beseeching a man for gifts, of being a person whose affection can be bought in exchange for some materialistic things is rampant. So, is Punjabi music becoming sexist by the day?

Wrong portrayal

“Women are excelling in every field and are at the top of everything. Only those who focus on the commercial aspect of their work create such songs. They do not see what is meaningful, but what sells and will make them famous. Thankfully, there are artistes who are not popularising music that patronises a woman. Gurdaas Maan, Satinder Sartaj… their songs have substance. We must be wise about what we listen to,” says singer-actor Diljott.

The inequality reflected in these songs makes one question if that’s what we want the women to be? Raashi Sood, singer, believes women are far more responsible. “We are pretty mellow and can survive with the very basic. Not every woman wants to shop every day. There are mothers and daughters who have got responsibilities; such things are not even on their minds. I think people in the industry follow each other, one kind of song becomes a hit, then everyone begins to make similar music and it becomes a trend. Women are not at the mercy of men in any way.”

Content change

“I am among the women who like to foot the bill even when on a date. It’s a very old-school theme that the lyricists and singers have picked up. Truth be told, women today are self-reliant.Being a singer myself, I am very conscious about the music I make,” says Tanishq Kaur. She feels subconsciously there is an acceptance towards patriarchal socialisation, so the content of these songs goes unnoticed.

Till the time it is light and cute, it can pass for Nimrat Khaira, actress-singer, but one should know where to draw the line. “Koka is a tiny thing, I am sure any woman can buy it herself. As a gesture of love, she may ask her man to get her one, but songs that go on to show women are materialistic or greedy are wrong. Personally, I would listen to songs that resonate with my values and that’s what I suggest to the audience too.”