'Tera Jism Meri Marzi' and why Ali Gul Pir feels feminism should be embraced more openly

Pir’s intention behind the song was patriarchy on the head and he feels the objective was achieved quite comprehensively. “If there were some reservations about the song, they were men who had an issue with the slogan and with me identifying as a feminist," he continued.

Commenting on how the audience is now 'woke' enough to grasp the underlying sarcasm in his songs, Pir divulged, "I think when Waderai Ka Beta came out, many didn't understand my satire. But now, I think everyone is well aware of the kind of music I make and the kind of language I use."

The moral policing

Pir is quite vocal about using art for the purposes of activism and he supports causes related to gender equality and gender-based-violence because "cards have been stacked against women for far too long."

"Things are changing now," the rapper remarked, adding, "It's high time we listen to women and their ordeals. I have had conversations with people who always tell me how men also fall prey to false accusations, but what is imperative to mention here is that out of every 1000 cases that could be reported, only four or five could be wrong. What about the rest of the incidents? Do they not deserve to be heard?"

Aurat March’s social media woes

"Internet is used to initiate propaganda worldwide," he opined, adding, "And in the case of Aurat March versus the general public, it is being used rather effectively to discredit the movement."
Pir went on to comment on the recent 'blasphemy' allegations against the organisers of Aurat March after a doctored video from the march went viral.

"In Pakistan, if you accuse someone of blasphemy, the due action is taken first and the investigation comes later," the Karle Jo Karna Hai singer said. "We have to move forward from these WhatsApp forwards! They aren't true and propel vicious campaigns against harmless people."

Pir added how he would also hold some news organisations accountable for playing a small part in the said campaign. "The threats that followed after blasphemy accusations against the movement were horrendous. How can you be on the right side of things when you are siding with an extremist group? You can disagree with the notions, but how can you endorse someone being killed over it?"

Pir of parodies

Apart from his ability to call spade a spade, Pir has also made headlines for his alternate mimicry of viral videos. The most viral takes include him playing Arnab Goswami, Kangana Ranaut, Naumaan Ijaz among others.

"I started this in the lockdown last year," said Pir. "I just found these clips funny and tried to offer my own spin on them. Luckily, the audience seems to love it! I record these on my phone and the plan is to keep these coming."

Pir concluded by talking about his journey of donning many hats - one from a comic to a rapper and now; a feminist. "I started my career with comedy," he recalled. "My songs are an extension to the same. They are always satire, always sarcastic. I would choose comedy over anything, any day. Everything else I do is just connected to it."

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