Some 11 years ago, Ali Gul Pir made a memorable entry into the Pakistani entertainment industry with his tongue-in-cheek song, Waderai Ka Beta. While his debut song took direct digs at the feudal culture, the other songs that followed were either as poignant in their critique or not as musically rich.
That, however, didn’t stop Pir from saying his heart out, be it against commercialism in Ramazan transmissions or a song titled Tera Jism Meri Marzi released just days before the Aurat March. Pir’s transition from a comedian to a rapper and now, a public figure who openly identifies as a feminist is definitely a journey worth looking into.
'Tera Jism, Meri Marzi'
'Chup aurat achi - bolnay waali gandi' goes the chorus of his latest track based on the most talked-about slogan of the Aurat March. The song also features female rapper Eva B, who is known for dropping bars while sporting a burqa.
"Tera Jism, Meri Marzi is a response to all the men who went berserk over a simple slogan," Pir told The Express Tribune. "I don't understand how anyone can misinterpret such a straightforward phrase. It is my body and I have my right over it.”
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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