Known for his peppy and fast-paced rap songs, popular Bollywood rapper Badshah on Monday urged talented Kashmiri youth to take-up music as a career saying that popular genres of music such as rap singing is effective to provide a “vent to the feelings of the oppressed”.
The rapper known for several of his chartbusters for more than a decade was addressing media at the launch of FM station Radio Mirchi 98.3 in the summer capital. Also known for his mass appeal among youth across India and Indian diaspora globally, Badshah also batted for Kashmir tourism saying “prevailing situation in the Valley has been blown out of proportion by sections of media”.
“There is a high crime rate in UP and Bihar as well but that is not played up by news media the way Kashmir situation is. The way news that bombs have exploded is portrayed is misguiding,” said Badshah. Recounting his modest growing-up days in Delhi, Badshah became nostalgic saying “As a child I used to dream of Kashmir,”
“I have been fond of Kashmir since my childhood days. This place needs an image building exercise which will help to alter its negative perception among people who want to visit this paradise,” said Bashshah.
The stylish rapper who plans to shoot a video in the Valley soon while citing examples of young and talented singers of the Valley said he has been “quite impressed” with popular Kashmiri rapper MC Kash. Badshah said rap singing can provide platform to the Kashmiri youth who have witnessed a lot of violence.
“The youth are Kashmir’s best ambassadors and I am glad that rap singing culture is gaining popularity here. Music becomes a voice for those who feel oppressed. Once they get a voice that results in a revolution,” said the rapper. “In 2010, I came across MC Kash and found him quite gifted and talented. But soon he went out of the scene and I guess left for abroad,” Badshah said.
“There is some sort of an ulterior motive behind the Kashmir conflict. Some vested interests don’t want peace to return. I feel sad when a family losses its member but my only hope is that inculcating a vibrant work culture will help progression of the Valley,” Badshah said.
Replying to a question whether art and culture can play a role in bringing a thaw between India and Pakistan, Badshah said “people to people exchange is an important confidence building measure”. The rapper was all praises for Kashmiri cuisine and craft saying local hospitality can help to encourage more people visit the Valley.
“I will be more than happy if there are more cultural exchanges in the subcontinent and across the world. Youth have to be involved in this process. Kashmiri youth must also take to social media to express themselves and use platforms such as YouTube to showcase their talent,” Badshah said.
Earlier, Nitin Singh, Regional Director, North and East, Radio Mirchi said the FM station would be focusing on catering to the peculiar taste of music of the people across the Valley.
“We are quite happy that we are here in Srinagar. We hope that the people of the Valley like the content that we have created especially for them. Our aim is to spread ‘khushi’ (happiness) amongst our listeners by bringing them the very best in entertainment.”
During the event, Badshah, who has sung several hit numbers for Bollywood movies, launched his latest hit single – Heartless – from his debut album. The Radio Jockey’s who will host the shows on Mirchi 98.3 were introduced to the audience during the launch. The RJs who took the centre-stage at the launch include Mehak, Rafia and Vijdan who narrated their experience of joining Radio Mirchi. According to hand-out issued by Radio Mirchi, the music that will play on the station is a combination of contemporary Bollywood hits and popular Punjabi numbers with a specially curated list of independent pop numbers mixed in. ” The content which has been created around a Kashmiri phrase – Assiv ti Lassiv (loosely translated to “smile and prosper”) is expected to resonate with the locals. Mirchi promises to keep listeners hooked by taking up discussions on topics that are relevant to the youth of today and also entertaining them with celeb chats, comedy and infotainment,” it stated.