Bhim Geet
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Bhim Geet
Marathi: 2015
(Bhim Geete, in Marathi)
The song he died for / Mithila Phadke, The Times of India, May 24 2015
Bhim geet, which praise Ambedkar's movement, are songs of self-respect for many Dalits
`Kara kitihi halla, majboot Bhimacha killa.' (Attack all you want, Bhim's fortress is strong) The song, praising Dr B R Ambedkar, is many SC youths’ mobile ringtone
Songs like `kara kitihi halla' are called Bhim Geet -songs espousing Ambedkar's social and political philosophy . A pre-Independence musical form that grew around Dalit activism, Bhim Geet continue to draw followers across ages.Long before writers like Baburao Bagul and Namdeo Dhasal and organizations like Dalit Panther made their mark, Bhim Geet were the community's voice.
“When Babasaheb Ambedkar began his activism in the 1920s, Bhim Geet singers played a vital role in spreading his philosophy,“ says Ganesh Chandanshive, professor at Mumbai University and a folk performer himself. He recalls Keruba Ghegde, Bhau Phakkad and Hariharrao Sonule as some of the earliest singers of the genre.
“There used to be a saying, `Bamna ghari lihina, kunbya ghari daana, mahara ghari gaana (there is scholarship in a Brahmin's home, grains at a Kunbi's, and music in a Dalit's),“ says professor Prakash Khandge, head of Mumbai University's Lok Kala Acad emy . The folk songs and ballads spoke of equality and fraternity to the then largely illiterate community .
“Like the protest songs of the Civil Rights movement in the US, Dalit activists used Bhim Geet to challenge the system,“ says poet Vaibhav Chhaya. In the 1940s and early 1950s, the songs of men like Wamandada Kardak captivated audiences, soon followed by Shravan Yeshwante, Prahlad Shinde, Pirajirao Sarnaik and Annabhau Sathe. “Ganatich majhi gulaamaat hoti, zindagich majhi salaamaat hoti...Todlis majhi gulaamachi bedi (I used to be counted as a slave, I spent my life bowing before others...You were the one who broke my chains),“ sings Shinde.
The Bhim Geet movement, says Khandge, slowed down with the start of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement in the mid-1950s.“Ambedkar, too, was part of the movement.The primary concern then was the creation of a separate state,“ explains Khandge. The Bhim Geet movement fell further behind in the 60s with the Shiv Sena raising the decibel on the Marathi manoos issue. “Slowly , all those who were singing Bhim Geet began to explore broader social themes. Some moved to folk theatre,“ Khandge says.
It was around the same time that Dalit activ ism found new voices in writers like Bagul and Dhasal. “Golpitha by Dhasal and Baluta by Daya Pawar were written. The `little magazine' movement that began then produced several writers and poets,“ Khandge says. “The work that used to be done by the Bhim Geet singers was then taken on by the new wave of activists.“
Though largely replaced by literature, the Bhim Geet movement refused to disappear. The songs continued to thrive in pockets of Mumbai and outside, through qawwali events. “The Dalit community lived in areas that also had a large Muslim population,“ says Chhaya. Bhim Geet qawwalis flourished in Mumbai neigh bourhoods like Bhendi Bazaar, Mazgaon, Naigaon, and also inside Worli's BDD chawls.
“Both were minority communities,“ Khandge says. “That created a bond and they learnt from each other.“ Repartee and animated ditties flew back and forth, and Bhim Geet qawwali events ensured that the tradition adapted to the changing times. In fact, in time, these performances began featuring film-inspired romantic themes.
But through shahirs like Sambhaji Bhagat, the ballads began exploring themes like globali zation and feminism. “My performances have female sutradhaars,“ says Bhagat, who has just returned from a rousing event in a slum settle ment at Pune's Mangalvar Peth. “There are many young performers on the scene today . And it's the younger generation that makes up most of the audience at these events.“
Those like Kabeer Shakya and his band Dhamma Wings have even adapted songs writ ten by veterans for newer audiences. Shakya's repertoire includes a popular, guitar-accompa nied version of Wamandada Kardak's `Chaan danyachi Chhaya'. “These songs had played a huge role in changing society during their time,“ says Shakya. “We want to do whatever it takes to bring them, and the path-breaking ideas they talk about, to today's generation.“
Popular Bheem Geete on YouTube
Indpaedia searched YouTube for the most popular Bheem Geete. It would, of course, be unfair to compare the number of times a song posted six years was viewed with one posted only a month or two before this chart was prepared (towards the end of May 2015).
The oldest currently-available Bheem Geet were posted in 2009.
Methodology: Indpaedia’s volunteers looked at all the 180-odd songs listed as Bhim Geet that emerged on the first 10 ‘pages’ of YouTube in reponse to a query about Bhim Geet, and all 36-odd songs listed as Bheem Geete on the first two ‘pages’ of YouTube in reponse to a similar query about Bheem Geete, or roughly 216 Bhim Geet(e) in all.
113 of these 216 songs had been viewed more than 2,000 times. They have been ranked according to their popularity. Another 13 songs emerged randomly during this search, but have not been ranked because they were not selected according to fixed criteria.
Limitations of this method: Songs not labelled Bhim Geet(e) did not show up in the YouTube results and, to our regret, were not ranked in the table below. Errors and omissions may please be pointed out as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name within 15 days.
Therefore, for whatever it is worth, the cumulative popularity of the 113 most popular Bheem Geet(e) that have been listed as Bhim Geet or Bheem Geete is as below.
The top 113
|
Name of song/ video |
Details of songs/ album |
Artiste(s) |
Length of song(s) |
YouTube popularity |
1. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 01 |
Songs played in this video include Jivala Jivacha Daan |
Pralhad Shinde |
8:58 |
276,641 |
2. |
Bhimrao Kadadla |
|
|
4:54 |
276,583 |
3. |
Jivala Jivach Daan |
Chhati thoku hey sangu; Bhimai yaad tujhi; Bheemrayane Balita; He paani aanile mi etc. |
Best Of Sonu Nigam |
44:17 |
178,024 |
4. |
Bhimrao Kadadla |
|
Singer: Adarsh Shinde, Dilraj Pawar, Santosh Gade, Mangesh Jadhav, Shakuntala Jadhav. Music:- Dilraj Pawar, Santosh Gade |
4:56 |
176,118 |
5. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 02 |
Songs include: 1. Bhimraya tujhi sath hoti 2. Man maza gelya |
|
8:50 |
78,274 |
6. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 02 |
Songs include: 1. Bhimraya tujhi sath hoti; 2. Man maza gelya ananduna; 3. Nav gajtaye ya jag bhara; 4. Asa pudhari hoil ka? |
|
8.50 |
78,042 |
7. |
BuddhaBhim Geete |
|
Ft Adarsh Shinde |
43:05 |
74,431 |
8. |
Adrsh [sic] Shinde 4 |
|
|
6:04 |
73,606 |
9. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 03 |
Songs include: 1. Majhya Jaticha jaticha 2. Bhimgiri la petvile |
|
8:38 |
70,853 |
10. |
Bhimraaj ki beti |
Vishwaratna (part 1) |
|
3:54 |
68,958 |
11. |
Nila Wadal |
|
Sahebrao Yerekar |
7:18 |
61,341 |
12. |
Gandhi cha jivan daata majha BhimraoHajar pasche chya notavar |
“Nice answer to those people who tend to compare Dr. Ambedkar with Gandhi or any other person” |
|
5:58 |
56,165 |
13. |
Jaybhim Walyachi Shan |
|
Singer- Rahul Bhosale, Swapnaja Engole |
4:51 |
53,751 |
14. |
Bhimraya tuzi sath hoti (1981) |
|
Pralhad Shinde |
3:12 |
46,507 |
15. |
Lay Majbut Bhimacha Killa |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
6:10 |
41,383 |
16. |
Bhimke lakhte jigar |
Vishwaratna (part 1) |
|
6:18 |
34,144 |
17. |
Bhim Ke Lakhate Jigar |
|
|
9:23 |
30,944 |
18. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 06 |
Songs include: 1. Andherya vastita Bhimane lavlaye Diva |
|
5:16 |
30,397 |
19. |
Bhim ke lapte [lakht-é-?] jigar |
|
Ankush DJ |
9:33 |
27,015 |
20. |
Jai Bheem Bolaaya Langal |
Eka Gharaat Ya Re |
Adarsh Shinde |
7:06 |
24,049 |
21. |
Bai Japun Bol |
Bhimachya Vicharachi Chamakti Talwar Aahe Me |
|
5:28 |
22,159 |
22. |
Nonstop Bhim geete part 05 |
Songs include: 1. Navkoticha Raja 2. Bhimrayacha Malaa |
|
7:21 |
21,720 |
23. |
Na bhala Na barchhi |
Vishwaratna (part 1)
|
|
5:27 |
20,240 |
24. |
Kayada Bhimacha Marathi Bheemgeete |
|
Anand Shinde, Milind Shinde |
56:34 |
20,222 |
25. |
Buddhang saranang gachhami dhammang saranang gachhami |
Bhim jevala ga shahi thatamadhi |
Singer-Kiran Paithankar,Music-Kiran Raj,Vilas Mohite |
3:23 |
18,716 |
26. |
Bana Aata Bhimkanya |
|
Bhimkanya |
7:16 |
18,494 |
27. |
Bhimacha killa |
|
|
5:41 |
17,830 |
28. |
Jungi Muqabla (Live Show Bhimgeet) |
|
Singer Prakash Patankar |
7:11 |
17,793 |
29. |
Sawal Jawabachi Dhamal |
Bhimachya Vicharachi Chamakti Talwar Aahe Me |
|
7:09 |
17,240 |
30. |
Buddha Vihari Jauya |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
6:25 |
17,061 |
31. |
Diwani Bhimachi Diwani |
Nagpurchi Nagin |
|
4:36 |
16,666 |
32. |
Bhimrayacha Mala (1975) |
Darshan Bhimache |
Singers: Vitthal Umap and Chorus. Composers: Vaman Kardak, Namdev Dasal |
3:30 |
16,658 |
33. |
Vairyano yad rakha pure jhala atyachar chiratil gheun talwar ase Bhimrayache sardar |
Bhim jevala ga shahi thatamadhi |
Singer-Ashok Nikalje,Lyrics-Suyog Kedar,Music-Kiran,Raj,Vilas Mohite. |
9:27 |
15,614 |
34. |
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Jayanti Special |
Songs included are: 1. Baba Nantar Wali Naahi; 2. Saha December Dusht Kalane Herali;3. Pani Pelai Waghavani, 4. Bhimacha Beta, 5. Bhimrayavani Puthari Hoyeel ka ?, 6. Nagpurchya Diksha Bhumiwar, 7. Nilya Nishana Khali, 8. Arey Sagara, 9. Chandanachi Hi Chita, 1 .Song : Sutbutat Bhimrao Majha. |
|
1:01:59 |
15,299 |
35. |
Main Jaybhimwala Hu |
Bhimratn Labhale |
|
6:58 |
13,661 |
36. |
Bhashan aahe |
Aadhar Bhimacha Geet |
Rani Meshram; Vijay Kashid |
5:20 |
13,346 |
37. |
Bhima Tujhya Janma Mule (1975) |
Album- Darshan Bhimache |
Singers: Shravan Yashvante and chorus. Song by: Vaman Kardak, Namdev |
3:09 |
12,918 |
38. |
Ghar Bapache Sodun |
|
Bhim Vidhvan No.1 |
5:33 |
12,841 |
39. |
Naam Bhim Rao Ka Jab |
Bhim Sagar |
Singer: Kiran Music Director: Vikas/Anand/Anirudh/Manik Rao |
5:41 |
12,265 |
40. |
Jovar Bhimach Savidhan |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
6.04 |
11,994 |
41. |
Nav Gajtaye Ho Jag Bhar (1975) |
Darshan Bhimache |
Singers: Vitthal Umap and Chorus. Composers: Vaman Kardak, Namdev Dasal |
3:09 |
11,760 |
42. |
Woh Baat Paida Karo |
Vishwaratna (part 2) |
|
9:46 |
11,561 |
43. |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
|
4:15 |
11,529 |
44. |
Buddha dharam hai pyara |
|
|
5:12 |
10,986 |
45. |
Bhim Geet |
DR Babasaheb Ambedkar 3D film |
|
9:41 |
10,794 |
46. |
Ashi Bhimachi Karani Nyari |
|
Singer Rahul Tayde; composed and written by Sudesh Gudadhe |
10:14 |
10,247 |
47. |
He Kharach Aahe Khar |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
3:44 |
9,334 |
48. |
Bhim farmaan |
|
|
8:04 |
9,035 |
49. |
Hath Unchauni Bhim Sange Mala |
|
Lyrics & Music by Ramesh Jadhav; Singer Nirmal Jadhav (Makare) |
7:20 |
8,749 |
50. |
Are sagara bhim majha yethe nijala shant ho jaraa |
Majabut Bhimacha Killa |
Singer-Milind Shinde, Video Director-Mahesh More, Ganapat Pawar |
3:51 |
8,486 |
51. |
Bhim giri |
|
DJ Nilesh |
3:27 |
8,455 |
52. |
Tula Bhimana banavala wagh |
I Laal Divyachya Gadila |
Singer: Anand Shinde; Composer: Harshad Shinde; Lyrics: Sunil Khare |
6.40 |
8,384 |
53. |
Asa Aahe Nil Wadal |
Nagpurchi Nagin |
|
5:05 |
8,164 |
54. |
Hota to Bhim maza Kohinoor haratacha |
|
|
3:00 |
7,856 |
55. |
Yeh kalam jo aai |
|
|
6:38 |
7,806 |
56. |
Dila kaydyacha danka haath jodaya laavla |
|
|
5:47 |
7,689 |
57. |
Hello Vahini Mi Jay Bhim Boltoy |
|
|
4:20 |
7,181 |
58. |
Zhenda Bhimacha Tya Dilivari Udto |
Bhimkanya |
|
4:43 |
7,115 |
59. |
Trisarnachi Mangal Vani |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
4:41 |
6,904 |
60. |
Aai Mala Buddha Vihari Jayach Hay
|
Bhimacha Killa |
|
3:43 |
6,515 |
61. |
Kamai Kamai Bhimachi Kamai |
Yavatmal Program 9 Feb 13 |
Rahul Anvikar |
13:46 |
6,426 |
62. |
Saheb kela tula Bhimane |
|
Singer- Gatum Avhad; lyrics - Gatum Avhad |
5:14 |
6,404 |
63. |
1 Nila Ani 1 Bhagava |
|
DL Music Arun Pathare. |
4:48 |
6,063 |
64. |
Bana Swabhimani Marathi Bheembuddh Geete |
Bana Swabhimani; Kalya Ramacha Darwaja; Bamnachya Angamadhi; Tula etc |
Anand Shinde, Adarsh Shinde, Samarthak Shinde |
1:07:19 |
6,054 |
65. |
Uddhar Jhala Khara (Hit 2011) |
Bheemaicha Baal |
Singer- Sushma Devi; Music Director- Akbar Khan; Lyricist- Manik |
6:57 |
5,764 |
66. |
Nila Nila Zhenda |
Nagpurchi Nagin |
|
3:38 |
5,751 |
67. |
Dhanya ramai |
|
|
3:01 |
5,700 |
68. |
Main Sou Dushaman Ko Bhari Hu |
Bhimratn Labhale |
|
7:04 |
5,698 |
69. |
Non Stop Bhim Dhamaka Part 1 |
|
|
22:17 |
5,627 |
70. |
Bheema moolay maanoos maansaat aala |
|
Pratapsing Bodade |
|
5,528 |
71. |
Ghar Dhani Chala Ki Nagpurla |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
4:34 |
5,515 |
72. |
Mi vadalvaara mi vadalvaara |
Album-Bhim Jevala Shahi Thatamadhi
|
Singer-Adarsh Shinde, Lyrics-Vamandada Kardak, Music-Kiran, Raj, Vilas Mohite |
4:55 |
5,223 |
73. |
Bhim Maja Nasta Tar |
|
Singer- Ashok Nhikalje |
9:29 |
5,135 |
74. |
Takmak baghe hi aata nakti rup aapla tava Bhimaan ticha naak kaapla |
Majabut Bhimacha Killa |
Singer-Anand Shinde,Video Director-Mahesh More,Ganapat Pawar |
5:46 |
5,052 |
75. |
Majhya Bhimane Desh Uchalalaa |
Vishwaratna part 2 |
Featuring Maharashtra Cabinet minister Rajendra Darda |
4:55 |
4,863 |
76. |
Anyaye Hot Aahe Hit
|
Bheemaicha Baal |
Singer- Sushma Devi; Music Director- Akbar Khan; Lyricist- Manik Mane/ Yadav |
6:57 |
4,773 |
77. |
Bhimgeet
|
|
Meghanand Jadhav |
4:22 |
4,611 |
78. |
Chandachi Chandani |
|
Vaishali Shinde |
7:23 |
4,498 |
79. |
He kharach aahe khara |
|
|
3:09 |
4,413 |
80. |
Dinancha raja bhimrao majha vikla naahi ra |
Bhim Shourya |
Singer-Anant More, Music-Sunil-Shankar, Lyrics-Dinanath Kamble |
5:32 |
4,385 |
81. |
Ranguchya lagnat gaan he bhimach vajat gaav sara alaya nachat |
Hello! Baburao Mi Jaybhim Boltoy |
Singer-Vishnu Shinde,Lyrics-Vishnu Shinde |
8:34 |
4,347 |
82. |
Samajach kaay gadya samajach kaay? |
Album-Hello! Baburao Mi Jay Bhim Boltoy |
Singer-Vishnu Shinde, Lyrics-Vishnu Shinde |
9:13 |
4,253 |
83. |
Bhimaicha Baal Janmala |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
6:34 |
4,147 |
84. |
Jeevala Jeevach Daan |
|
Sonu Nigam |
56:48 |
4,080 |
85. |
Aali Aali Bhimachi Jayanti |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
6:05 |
4,006 |
86. |
Kuthlyahi Jaaticha Navra |
|
|
5:11 |
3,977 |
87. |
Bhimrayacha Mala |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
3:42 |
3,894 |
88. |
Mazhi Ramai Mauli |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
3:37 |
3,849 |
89. |
Thamba ho thamba |
Tufanatale Divé |
Lyric Wamandada Kardak; singer Rahul Tayde |
|
3,796 |
90. |
Aala Baai April Mahina |
Bhimacha Killa |
|
4:54 |
3,617 |
91. |
Bhima tuzya matache |
|
Singer: Rahul Tayde
|
7:52 |
3,482 |
92. |
Bhim Janmani Maticha jhalay Sona Part 1 |
Yavatmal Program 9 Feb 13 |
Rahul Anvikar |
10:00 |
3,427 |
93. |
Nila Zhenda Ye Lahrayega |
Bhimratn Labhale |
|
4:33 |
3,311 |
94. |
Tumhi Nek Bana Anuyayi |
Nagpurchi Nagin |
|
9:10 |
3,290 |
95. |
Krantiveer mahapurush janma aale dharativar Bhimrao Ambedkar dhanya te Bhimrao Ambedkar |
|
|
3:20 |
3,198 |
96. |
Jivala jivacha daan mazya |
|
|
3:27 |
3,183 |
97. |
Bhimsurya Kranticha |
Bhimachi Ashi Lalkaar |
|
5:02 |
3,163 |
98. |
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Jayanti Special |
|
|
1:08:33 |
3,074 |
99. |
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Jayanti Special |
Audio Jukebox |
|
1:08:33 |
3,074 |
100. |
Raaj Delhi pe ayega jaybhimvalonka |
Mai Bhimraj Ka Beta Hoo |
Singer-Vishnu Shinde,Lyrics Music-Vishnu Shinde |
5:30 |
2,751 |
101. |
Bhartiya ghatnecha tu shilpakar ahes |
Buddha songs |
|
3:51 |
2,475 |
102. |
Bhimaila pahile |
|
Lyrics: Wamandada Kardak; Music : Subodh Walke; Singer : Khushbu Rangari, Gautam Padhen |
4:41 |
2,434 |
103. |
Bhim Geete Marathi |
|
|
50:06 |
2,356 |
104. |
Ba Bhima Ba Rama |
|
Singer- Gungun Runyavale; lyrics: Ramesh Runyavale |
5:18 |
2,334 |
105. |
Sonyacha dagina |
|
Singer- Shankuntala Jadhav; Lyrics: Dinanath Kamble |
5:19 |
2,299 |
106. |
Pahile Vandan |
Bhimachi Ashi Lalkaar |
|
7:10 |
2,295 |
107. |
Bhim basala rathachya gadit |
|
|
3:01 |
2,255 |
108. |
Bhimacha Wadyat |
Aadhar Bhimacha Geet |
Rani Meshram; Shankardada |
5:27 |
2,178 |
109. |
Thaba O Thamba
|
|
Vaishali Shinde |
5:25 |
2,165 |
110. |
Rani Yach Varshi Tula Dikshabhumi Davato |
Bhimratna Labhale |
|
4:18 |
2,112 |
111. |
Bhim Janmani Maticha jhalay Sona Part 2 |
Yavatmal Program 9 Feb 13 |
Rahul Anvikar |
3:12 |
2,081 |
112. |
Bhimratna labhale, anyaay thamble |
Bhimratna Labhale |
Singer/ Lyricist-Vishnu Shinde, Music- Ashok Vayngankar |
7:12 |
2,061 |
113. |
Mangne se Kya mila hai? |
Yavatmal Program 9 Feb 13 |
Rahul Anvikar |
10:00 |
2,039 |
Another 13 popular Bhim Geet
Name of song/ video |
Details of songs/ album |
Artiste(s) |
Length of song(s) |
YouTube popularity |
Kranti vicharancha vaara |
Bhimratna Labhale |
Singer, Lyricist-Vishnu Shinde, Music-Ashok Vayngankar |
6:43 |
1,828 |
Bhim Geet Swabhi Mani Bana Aan Jay Bhim Mhana |
|
|
5:34 |
1,767 |
Karuni Karni Dipavli Dharni |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
4:04 |
1,736 |
Adhi Gautamache
|
|
Lyrics: Lok Kavi Waman Dada Kardak; Singer: Kunal Varale |
|
1,620 |
Bhimyug/ Palna |
Bhimyug |
Bhupesh Sawai (Dir: Prajakt Rebeloma) |
7:18 |
1,529 |
Bhima Tuzhya Janma Mulé |
Jivala Jivach Dan |
|
3:58 |
1,372 |
Tuzech dhamma chakra he |
(Buddha songs) |
|
5:28 |
1,318 |
Mala bai rati sapan padal |
|
Anushka Shiktode |
6:24 |
1,296 |
Gariba madhi garib gharcha |
|
|
|
1,192 |
Mazya khambhir netyana paani chakhal talyacha |
|
|
4:00 |
1,143 |
Mrutyu Yawa Tithe |
Uddharak |
Chandrakant Yadav; Music : Jagdish Mohite |
8:58 |
1,098 |
Buddham Sharanam Gacchami |
|
|
0:24 |
498 |
Bhim geet Kotale Walavi Aali |
|
Pravin Pagare |
8:55 |
436 |
Political use of Bhim Geet
Replacing Hindu deities with Ambedkarite characters
Reworked folk songs and bestselling booklets have acted as key tools for BSP in spreading Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's ideology since the 1990s and will play a vital role in mobilising voters in the coming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
“Songs performed by women while grinding foodgrains (jantsar) or during childbirth (sohar) used to have characters from Indian mythology . They were replaced by figures related to Ambedkar's life. For instance, in one song, Kaushalya Rani (the eldest wife of King Dashrath in Ramayan) is replaced by Ambedkar's mother. In other songs, words such as doctor are introduced to give it an Ambedkaraite twist,“ Badri Narayan, who has written a biography on the architect of the Constitution, tells TOI.
Similarly , Hanuman Chalisa was replaced or supplemented by Bhim Pachasa.`Jai Bhim' is one of the most used slogans among Dalit parties or those sympathetic to their cause. “Such rewor king of the past is meant to give confidence to people suppressed for hundreds of years.Indirectly , such initiatives also help in electoral politics,“ says Narayan, who teaches social science in JNU.
Songs and literature have been integral to BSP's politics.BSP was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984. “In its first phase, BSP formed the jagriti dastas, which included painters and folk singer-songwriters. Now Dalit orchestras are being used in a big way for the buildup on the elections next year,“ says Narayan. Unlike the folk songs, which were partly an initiative of the party's cultural wing, the booklets were a product of individual creativity. Written by community intellectuals, they were devoured by those who had recently attained political consciousness through the BSP's politics. These low-cost booklets were available and sold in BSP's public meetings. “Some such writers are Chandrika Prasad Jigyasu, Guru Prasad Madan, Rajkumar Pasi and AR Akela. Their booklets on Ambedkar as well as Bahujan community and politics have sold in lakhs but few have heard of them,“ says Narayan.
India is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar this year. The build-up to UP elections is being keenly followed by political pundits. BSP , under the leadership of Mayawati, is among the two frontrunners --BJP being the other -to replace the ruling SP. But in a new book, Narayan points out that about 30%-40% of the smaller communities among Dalits in UP remain invisible to state, political parties, even academics. “Dalit communities or sub-castes are marginalised. They haven't even acquired the capacity to aspire, acquire a decent life and a share in democracy,“ he says in the book, `Fractured Tales: Invisibles in Democracy'.