By Om Tat Sat,
Once in a while, the social media is used for such a noble purpose that it gladdens our heart to compensate for all the daily dysfunction it creates. You may have seen warnings about Facebook and its manipulation of mind designed by professional psychologists. On July 22, one such mind-blowing music video featuring Vyoma and D1, was posted on YouTube by the title DHAKA-DHOTI. This was remarkable because it was a rap song in Bhojpuri language. Not something we are used to hearing, hence a total novelty.
The surprise did not end there. In three days, it had received 171,595 views and counting. That is simply mind-numbing. I am sure the young group that produced that video are elated out of their pants, unless they are clad in dhoti, as they do in the video. Their message highlights all the great aspects of Nepal as a sacred land and its variegated cultures that enrich life.
It hits upon the natural endowment of Nepal, birthplace of Buddha, the land of peace, the Gorkha soldiers, the hard-working farmers and all. The young men are complimented by young girls decked up in cultural attires in the background and also performing some movement to highlight the costumes.
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As if they have been equally motivated by the caste-discrimination Rukum and Jajarkot incident that killed six young men, they repeatedly gives a message to end discrimination and casteism practice and instead launch activities that brings good name to Nepal and our society. While they exalt the daily activities of ordinary people from morning to night, they also bring together a mix of terai and hill culture symbolized by the tile of their video, Dhaka (hill) and dhoti (Terai plain) .
The two main guys are clad in the mixed costume, one in Dhaka cap and another in Terai head feta. The group of boys waving Nepal’s flag and ethnically-dressed girls enhances the song with a sense of love in the community, while a Terai woman is shown indulged in household chores. It is the creation of sublime by using the ordinary. The presentation is what gives it a sense of joy to the viewers.
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Some of the comments are emblematic of the liking shown by the viral video. Ganga Rai writes: “K brahmin ,k madeshi, k dalit, k matwali, Hami sabai Nepali. United we stand, powerful we become. Stay united everyone.” Hence the video lyrics hit on the different ethnicity in the country as a strength when united and celebratory in all being united as Nepali.
Viewer Sanjay Acharya commented: “Honestly, This is a masterpiece. We have heard and seen a lot of songs in a patriotic theme but this one tops the chart. Probably because never heard anything like this before. Let’s share the video everyone and encourage these guys to come up with more.”
No wonder it was able to touch the hearts of the viewers who are desperately looking for some positive message in the times of disasters caused by corona and monsoon torrential rains. Mainstream news makes the people feel cheated by the leaders and people entrusted with responsibilities. People are feeling oppressed and losing their options for a better life.
In true spirit of the hip hop music that started in the ghettos of the U.S. back in the 1970s, the feeling of oppression can be sensed hence the rebellion against the dominant narrative of Nepal is presented as a challenge to those who seek to oppress. It is a positive rebellion that has hit the target, our hearts.
The video is heart-warming and definitely a winner for the group who put such a hard effort in creating it. The work and the effort shows and they deserve the attention they are getting, especially because the message they are imparting is very much needed in Nepal at the moment.
Vyoma Instagram : https://instagram.com/suraj_official3…
Vyoma Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Vyoma-official-349409242598916/
Slum Gang Instagram : https://instagram.com/slum_gang2018?i…
Slum Gang Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Slum-Gang-2008045912843180/
https://www.facebook.com/349409242598916/photos/a.350142642525576/652926545580516/?type=3
The writer is a graduate of Arizona State University in Political Science. He is working as a social activist and motivational speaker for students across Nepal since 2007. He also blogs at Strong Blog.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necesarily reflect the official policy or position of Nepalisite.
