Not everyone is dumb like Imran Khan

Mountains & Molehills
By the Bug

Not everyone is dumb like Imran Khan

I understand that artists are supposed to be sensitive. Perhaps that is why they often offer to knee-cap me when I criticize them (Far be it for me to point out that bugs don’t have knees). But what continues to boggle my mind is that the same artists, the section of our society that purports to be hypersensitive, continues to fail to address a single one of the burning political issues of the day. Not one of them rails against the status quo and national and international political injustices. Yes, admittedly, some artistes take up issues like poverty, education and health (and some even build hospitals) but then again these issues are by their nature apolitical and safe. You, have to understand Mr. Bug, that no sponsor, ever dumped an artist for wanting to educate children or improve public health or dedicating their album to Peace. This cynical may even claim that philanthropy is advisable as it increases an artiste’s marketability. Yet, not one of our artists will get up, scream down the intolerant, the truly corrupt, the war-mongerer or most particularly, our lord and master to the north of Mexico and to the south of Canada. One can not help but admit that there is so much to be outraged in the world today, yet I hear no songs of outrage. One only sees drawing-room inspired philanthropy every once in a while or our biggest band in Asia sometimes making politically correct statements.

Junoon, to their credit, were the only ones that were ever politically relevant. But that too only for some moments and that too some time ago when they raised the slogan of Ehtesab. Even that seems to have died now. The one thing Junoon and other artists needed and need to realize is that causes are not for the moment but they have to be carried through as well. Ishq was poor because it betrayed the faith and sang meaningless pop-pap. Today do they still play Ehtesab? Do they still make statements about the same? Does it matter if people don’t scream for it at their concerts anymore?

Sadly, not only do the artists make controversial statements, but their music these days holds no strong message as well. Even the new brigade of musicians deal with generalities or safe targets. EP’s Hum Ko Aazma took pot-shots at some men in uniform while they let the others go. Noori gives a message that is uplifting and celebrates youth, but once more it is way to general, i.e. yay for being young, let’s jump around and work hard. Yes, work hard, but at what?

Bono of U2 once said that, ‘When one is eighteen one thinks one can change the world. And you know what, at that age; one can quite often do just that.’ Today I find loads of bands covering U2 songs but there are no believers and no takers. At our local Rockfests kids play political songs by Rage against the Machine but only because it is great music to headband to and has choruses with expletives in them. I say it is the saddest thing to see youth show a lack of idealism. Or anger. Or a lack of direction.

I guess one should blame this all on Ghalib. When I was a kid I used to love Ghalib at school and hated reading Iqbal and his message oriented writings. Music today is more about the message of Ghalib and love. With all the bad stuff happening people want to be like Ghalib I guess, apolitical, safe, making pretty music, and concerned with where the next buck comes from. Yet sadly, times have changed and Iqbal has become all the more relevant these days. He may seem dated in his convoluted vocabulary, but his message is truly current. Junoon and Shahzad Roy have attempted to take him on. But Roy-Boy turned him into a fantasy swordplay video and Junoon just chose to deal with him in the most general and commercially palatable manner (Rise up you jawans in Saqinama). Even when other artists of protest (Faiz) are taken up and appreciated, the political element from their message is purged.

I could go on but I fear that I have begun to bug myself. Sorry to be so heavy this week, but this had been bugging me for a while. Life is short. It sure as bug isn’t about penny-anny, lovey dovey, groovey shroovey, candy flavored non-issues. One ought to pick sides and make a point. Write and comment and make your point at KiraMaqora@gmail.com

(Published in Sunday Magazine, Feb 2 2003)