by Babra Wani
SRINAGAR: In Kashmir, all elections in history have been interestingly different from each other. The same is true with the ongoing assembly election, taking place after a decade.
In this election, the major political parties have almost similar manifestos. Dictated by the August 2019, decision-making, they all call for the restoration of the rights and privileges Jammu and Kashmir once enjoyed. They use different languages to tell the same thing.
They all use music, go door to door and employ the cultural artists to gain the attention of the electors. The strategic employment of music, particularly folk songs, is a renewed tool for political expression. They use the social media big time. They use history’s most powerful slogans and none of them belongs to them. What is interesting, they use the same song.
This election saw a traditional folk song emerging as the most powerful and alluring voice. Bankhou Wazeeri Aala – May you become the Chief Minister.
The fierce campaigning by the parties has thrust into the spotlight the Wazeeri Aala, a timeless Kashmiri melody, with its infectious rhythm and poignant lyrics resonating with the masses. This is the song that one hears in all party campaigns.
The song’s journey to viral fame began several months ago when renowned Kashmiri folk singers Nargis Altaf and Imtiyaz Wanpore respectively recorded their renditions. Nargis’s version, expertly recorded by Master Irshad in a studio setting, has garnered an impressive one million views on YouTube, courtesy of Kashmiri JCI Studio’s channel, boasting over 271,000 subscribers. In contrast, Imtiyaz’s nine-month-old version has accumulated a respectable 61,000 views.
What sets Nargis’s rendition apart is its authentic chakkir style, a traditional Kashmiri genre, which has been lovingly preserved and presented. The song’s success can be attributed not only to Nargis’s soulful voice but also to the contributions of three other talented individuals who have lent their musical expertise and vocals, elevating the track to new heights.
Interestingly, Wazeeri Aala is not a political anthem but a cherished wedding song, traditionally sung during nuptial gatherings. The lyrics, penned primarily in Kashmiri with a smattering of English words, are credited to Arif Ajaz, as claimed by Nargis in the video. As the song continues to weave its sonic spell, its enduring appeal lies in its ability to transcend boundaries, uniting people across political and cultural divides.
As the popularity of Wazeeri Aala continues to soar, a fascinating narrative has emerged, revealing the song’s complex history and multiple interpretations. Beyond Nargis Altaf’s widely acclaimed version, another talented artist, Imtiyaz Wanpore, has also lent his voice to the melody, sparking a captivating tale of creativity and ownership.
In a candid phone conversation, Imtiyaz, a resident of Wanpora, New Khandah, asserted his role as the song’s original creator, “I wrote and sang Wazeeri Aala years ago, during a family wedding, where I teasingly serenaded my cousin, the groom, with the impromptu line, laalo mahraaz laalo, banikhov wazeeri aala (Dear groom, will you become the chief minister)?” Imtiyaz recounted, “I never expected it to gain such widespread recognition, but I am thrilled that my kalaam is being appreciated.”
Imtiyaz’s version, featuring Javed Goldie, Ghulam Mohiuddin aka Saqi, and Nargis Gulzar, offers a distinct flavour, with the singer claiming, “I have stayed lowkey due to lack of family support, but I am glad my song is being used, even if I did not receive any calls from political parties.” Notably, Imtiyaz penned the lyrics in 2016, and his music accompanies the song, underscoring his creative ownership.
Interestingly, the song’s journey does not end there. Multiple recordings of Wazeeri Aala have surfaced on various YouTube channels, each offering a unique perspective on the melody. As the song continues to evolve, its multiple lives serve as a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring appeal of a simple, yet poignant, Kashmiri folk song.
While this song is hugely popular and attractive, this has led electors to ask just one question – if the political parties stand for almost the same; if they use the same strategy and even the same song, what is eventually dividing them? Why are they fighting each other?
