Poll songs in Jammu and Kashmir transcend all barriers

Election songs have been pouring into campaign rallies and social media platforms of the political parties in Kashmir during the ongoing assembly elections, and the music being played transcends social, geographical and political barriers.

From different versions of Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s nazm ‘Hum Dekhenge’ and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf song ‘Sheroon Ka Sher Hai Humara Leader’ to Bollywood’s famous song ‘Zindagi Har Kadam Ek Nai Jung Hai’ and ‘Tu Tera Astr Hai Tuhi Tera Shastra Hai’ from Kannada film KGF2, political campaigns online and offline are a musical medley.

Rather than sending any ideological message or reflecting the values of the party or an individual, a contesting candidate told ET that it is a way to dazzle the electorate with specific information hoping that it will translate into votes on election day. “It is also a way to bring fun into politics and campaigns as people in Kashmir like to have spectacle of sorts on all occasions,” said Muhammad Ashraf Bhat, 75, a shopkeeper in Srinagar, 70, who has attended election and political rallies since 1960’s.


The catchy song, “Tum Aise Rehbar Ko Vote Dena, Watan Ko Jo Mahtab Karde” from across the border in Pakistan, is being used by political parties in Kashmir, Chenab and Pir Panjal Valleys to attract the attention of young voters across the region. Some of the candidates have even used popular Arabic, Punjabi and Persian songs which are popular on social media sites during their campaigns. In Kashmiri language a song "Bankho Wazir-e-Aala” loosely translates to “May you become the chief minister” is being customized by workers of almost every political party and contesting individual, by replacing/pre-fixing his or her name into the lyrics. Even those candidates who may lose their deposit in these elections are relishing the momentary solace of the songs portraying him/her as potential CM candidate.

Music and songs played in the rallies or background score of their social media videos does not set any candidate apart from others despite their differing ideologies or affiliations. “Everyone is owning the lyrics and customizing it to their own interests and necessity. Music just builds solidarities around the candidates,” Aijaz Rahi, from Nowhatta Srinagar, who has composed election campaign songs for different political parties in this election season.

The political parties and several contesting candidates have also made several customized songs in Kashmiri language to woo the voters. Rahi says that he has charged Rs 5000 for a complete song package including lyrics. “If a party or a contesting individual comes with his own lyrics, then we charge less,” said Rahi, who has set up a studio in his own house and runs a youtube channel as well.

The candidates hire vehicles to drive through their constituencies, blaring these customized songs from loudspeakers. “Usually what people like is rhyming lyrics with the name or symbol of the candidate, over a blend of local folk music and padding of western music,” said Rahi.

The assembly elections are happening after around a decade here and one phase of the elections on 24 seats has already concluded and two more to go on September 25 and October 1. The results of the elections to the 90 member assembly will be declared on October 8.