SOUNDBYTES
Ali Gul Pir collaborates with SomeWhatSuper for ‘Modi Teri’, a song that addresses the political rhetoric made apparent by the Indian Prime Minister in a cheeky, outrageous manner.
The rift between Indo-Pak artist community is thickening with every passing day as artists like Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar share the sentiment of supporting the ban on Pakistani artists. The rising intolerance in India can be attributed to the sitting Prime Minister whose ‘tough’ stance on Pakistan is not only making us weary but is downright disturbing.
But while many tip-toe around the perception and actions of such a divisive political figure, one artist who is unafraid to call him out is Ali Gul Pir. Collaborating with the music group, SomeWhatSuper, Pir has penned the verses to ‘Modi Teri’, a song that addresses the many moves made by one Narendra Modi in recent weeks to the dismay of millions, both in and outside India. ‘Modi Teri’ is as outrageous as the statements made by Modi whose pro-business elite viewpoint often overshadows the needs of the poor.
SomeWhatSuper, who rose to prominence with 'Bandook' lend a booming sound to Pir's sharp commentary.
Be it the looming water threat, the Kashmir issue, Modi’s Gujrat butchering days or the ‘spy’ pigeon that was intercepted in India, Pir doesn’t spare the many antics and presents them with a layer of booming music that is the courtesy of SomeWhatSuper.
Speaking to Instep over a telephonic conversation, Pir explained that he wrote the song in about four to five days while the song’s production took another week. While the audio released on Sunday, a video for the song is also in the pipeline and will make its way to us, the audience, by the last week of October.
The song is, according to Pir, a representation of things that people have been thinking but no one has said out loud. “As an observational comedian, I have to say things that nobody else is saying but everyone is thinking.”
Despite it being a mere 24 hours since the song was uploaded on Pir’s YouTube and Facebook page as well as that of SomeWhatSuper, it has generated anywhere between 30,000 to 40,000 hits. “For one day, those are very good numbers. And the response has been amazing. I usually make someone or the other angry but the response to this song, in that sense, has been extremely positive.”
Having collaborated with Adil Omar, Talal Qureshi and Mooroo in recent history, Ali Gul Pir returns to the spotlight with a new song that takes apart Modi's embarrasing, hate-fueled rhetoric in a manner that is cheeky and outrageous.
‘Modi Teri’ also has this layered albeit loud musical structure which is worth mentioning because of SomeWhatSuper’s unique sonic abilities. Pir, whose earlier collaborations have been with the likes of Adil Omar and Talal Qureshi (‘Kholo BC’) and Mooroo (‘Itni Chikni’), maintains that he prefers to work with people whose work he admires.
“I collaborate with people whose music I like. And I don’t like a lot of the new-age stuff because I generally feel that older music was better. However, I thought ‘Bandook’ by SomeWhatSuper was awesome and though they play electronic music, which is essentially a Western genre, they always make it Pakistani. They are very talented,” notes Pir.
The song ‘Modi Teri’ is not meant as a dig at the entire Indian people. “My issue is not with India or the Indian people. My issue is with what Modi is doing, what’s being done in Kashmir.”
Unlike many artists in Pakistan who have chosen to stay silent on this cultural debate, Pir is clear that artists should be vocal. “The thing is that India and Pakistan don’t have the best relationship. But artists shouldn’t be banned because art helps in building bridges. That said, people who work in India and are successful shouldn’t be afraid. That fear is stupid and absurd. Pakistani artists should not fear Bollywood or India. I think they should say something.”
Reflecting on the announcement of the YouTube Partner Programme in Pakistan, Pir, who performed at the event’s spanking launch, explained that such platforms are important for artists of all sorts.
“In Pakistan, you need to know how to monetize and sell your product, not just create it. I am someone whose career was made because of YouTube so I think it’s a good start.”