Singers translate manifestos into melodies
Supporters of different parties croon about their preferred candidates, extol parties, decry opponents
Elections songs used to promote political parties. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
Elections in Pakistan have always been different than those held elsewhere. One of the distinguishing factors is the use of music to promote a political identity with songs like ‘Bila teer bijay’ iconic of the PPP and ‘Naya Pakistan’ of the PTI.
With elections just days away, Pashto singers also are lining up to support candidates of their choice and expressing that support by signing songs.
A number of Pashto artistes have already voiced songs and are happy that, at least during the election season, local tunes, culture and artists — which are usually ignored — will share some of the limelight.
For the political parties, campaign songs help to spread party’s viewpoints, build solidarity around candidates, stir voter’s passion and entice them to attend political gatherings.
ANP leader Haroon Bilour, 12 others martyred in Peshawar suicide blast
This elections, the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are leading the pack in churning out campaign songs.
"Haider Khan", a campaign song for Amir Haider Khan Hoti is typical of many campaign songs. Sung by well-known singer Khalid Malik, praises the ANP leader and former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister as a ‘true and gallant’ leader who will bring ‘real change’, someone who can gather the Pashtuns on a single platform to battle for their rights.
The song goes on to urge voters to take the right decision and to stand behind Hoti who will rule Peshawar once more.
The song follows the ANP’s ideology, oriented with the party’s brand of Identity politics and slogans in favour of the rights of Pashtuns.
Apart from identity, the songs also urge unity.
The songs, though, say nothing about the lack of employment opportunities, education, health and other social issues faced by residents of the province.
Much of the ANP songs are ideological and seek to resurrect the ideology of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Bacha Khan, and his struggle for Pashtuns.
“The new generation will be enlightened by his teachings,” croons Asfandyar Mohmand, a famous Pashto singer, in his song for the party.
“The person will never be violent who understands his (Bacha Khan) philosophy,” Mohmand bellows.
Mohmand’s song, though, does not campaign for any particular candidate. But the message in the song, like other similar songs, was one of unity.
“Pashtuns will not go astray if they stand united on your [Bacha Khan’s] teachings,” the singer urges, adding that Bacha Khan was a true freedom fighter who had struggled his entire life for the rights of his people without ever taking up a weapon.
Fayaz Kheshgi, a senior singer who has also put out songs calling for unity among Pashtuns and Bacha Khan, criticised rival parties.
“You may continue your struggle for Takht-e-Punjab to reach the zenith of power, while we will be fighting for Bacha Khan— to spread his ideology,” Kheshgi sings.
His songs talk of the ‘Takht-e-Punjab’, an allegory for winning Punjab as a means of forming a national government.
Yet another campaign song ‘Bacha Khani Ba Razi’ by senior artiste Ali Haider expresses the fear of ‘aliens’ coming to rule as it compares the rule of different political parties, except for ANP, with that of the Mughals.
He chants that these ‘alien rulers’ will be replaced by ‘Khushal Khani’, referring to Khushal Khan Khattak who stood against the Mughals.
The song has also hailed Bacha Khan as a great hero and protector of the people, defender of rights and how his descendants, the ANP, will now rule this region.
The songs promise social change, favouring social stability and advocating the cause for which the candidate is in the field.
On the other hand, Zeeshan and Afaq’s song for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has kept it simple, listing the development projects undertaken by their party in the province.
Wearing PTI caps, both singers declare “our leader is Imran Khan, our charismatic leader is Imran Khan.”
“Khan has changed the province; he has ended the menace of corruption. Long live Imran Khan,” they croon.
PTI will secure landslide victory in upcoming polls: Imran
“For a revolution and new change, this time we need Imran Khan’s rule,” says Rajwali Khan Marwat as he sings a song titled ‘a new change’.
“We need a leadership that makes the country stand tall in the world community and that is possible only under Imran Khan’s leadership,” Marwat sings.
Wearing a red and green cap embossed with the phrase ‘Imran Khani Pakar’, a slogan crafted to counter ANPs’ Bacha Khani Pakar da, the song takes a swipe at ANP’s regionalism and calls on supporters to stand for a united Pakistan.
Marwat told The Express Tribune that it cost him Rs25,000 to produce the song.
“Most of these songs are recorded by the artistes themselves just for their party and their leaders,” Marwat explained.
The PTI supporter said that he hoped his songs would evoke sentiments of the voters for creating a peaceful and united country.
“There has been a huge demand. Every person contesting the election wants to have a song as it really helps in mobilising the voter and bring them toward political gatherings.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2018.
Elections in Pakistan have always been different than those held elsewhere. One of the distinguishing factors is the use of music to promote a political identity with songs like ‘Bila teer bijay’ iconic of the PPP and ‘Naya Pakistan’ of the PTI.
With elections just days away, Pashto singers also are lining up to support candidates of their choice and expressing that support by signing songs.
A number of Pashto artistes have already voiced songs and are happy that, at least during the election season, local tunes, culture and artists — which are usually ignored — will share some of the limelight.
For the political parties, campaign songs help to spread party’s viewpoints, build solidarity around candidates, stir voter’s passion and entice them to attend political gatherings.
ANP leader Haroon Bilour, 12 others martyred in Peshawar suicide blast
This elections, the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are leading the pack in churning out campaign songs.
"Haider Khan", a campaign song for Amir Haider Khan Hoti is typical of many campaign songs. Sung by well-known singer Khalid Malik, praises the ANP leader and former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister as a ‘true and gallant’ leader who will bring ‘real change’, someone who can gather the Pashtuns on a single platform to battle for their rights.
The song goes on to urge voters to take the right decision and to stand behind Hoti who will rule Peshawar once more.
The song follows the ANP’s ideology, oriented with the party’s brand of Identity politics and slogans in favour of the rights of Pashtuns.
Apart from identity, the songs also urge unity.
The songs, though, say nothing about the lack of employment opportunities, education, health and other social issues faced by residents of the province.
Much of the ANP songs are ideological and seek to resurrect the ideology of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Bacha Khan, and his struggle for Pashtuns.
“The new generation will be enlightened by his teachings,” croons Asfandyar Mohmand, a famous Pashto singer, in his song for the party.
“The person will never be violent who understands his (Bacha Khan) philosophy,” Mohmand bellows.
Mohmand’s song, though, does not campaign for any particular candidate. But the message in the song, like other similar songs, was one of unity.
“Pashtuns will not go astray if they stand united on your [Bacha Khan’s] teachings,” the singer urges, adding that Bacha Khan was a true freedom fighter who had struggled his entire life for the rights of his people without ever taking up a weapon.
Fayaz Kheshgi, a senior singer who has also put out songs calling for unity among Pashtuns and Bacha Khan, criticised rival parties.
“You may continue your struggle for Takht-e-Punjab to reach the zenith of power, while we will be fighting for Bacha Khan— to spread his ideology,” Kheshgi sings.
His songs talk of the ‘Takht-e-Punjab’, an allegory for winning Punjab as a means of forming a national government.
Yet another campaign song ‘Bacha Khani Ba Razi’ by senior artiste Ali Haider expresses the fear of ‘aliens’ coming to rule as it compares the rule of different political parties, except for ANP, with that of the Mughals.
He chants that these ‘alien rulers’ will be replaced by ‘Khushal Khani’, referring to Khushal Khan Khattak who stood against the Mughals.
The song has also hailed Bacha Khan as a great hero and protector of the people, defender of rights and how his descendants, the ANP, will now rule this region.
The songs promise social change, favouring social stability and advocating the cause for which the candidate is in the field.
On the other hand, Zeeshan and Afaq’s song for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has kept it simple, listing the development projects undertaken by their party in the province.
Wearing PTI caps, both singers declare “our leader is Imran Khan, our charismatic leader is Imran Khan.”
“Khan has changed the province; he has ended the menace of corruption. Long live Imran Khan,” they croon.
PTI will secure landslide victory in upcoming polls: Imran
“For a revolution and new change, this time we need Imran Khan’s rule,” says Rajwali Khan Marwat as he sings a song titled ‘a new change’.
“We need a leadership that makes the country stand tall in the world community and that is possible only under Imran Khan’s leadership,” Marwat sings.
Wearing a red and green cap embossed with the phrase ‘Imran Khani Pakar’, a slogan crafted to counter ANPs’ Bacha Khani Pakar da, the song takes a swipe at ANP’s regionalism and calls on supporters to stand for a united Pakistan.
Marwat told The Express Tribune that it cost him Rs25,000 to produce the song.
“Most of these songs are recorded by the artistes themselves just for their party and their leaders,” Marwat explained.
The PTI supporter said that he hoped his songs would evoke sentiments of the voters for creating a peaceful and united country.
“There has been a huge demand. Every person contesting the election wants to have a song as it really helps in mobilising the voter and bring them toward political gatherings.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2018.