In Haryana, provocative pop picks guns and goons
In Haryana, folk music has given way to Haryanvi pop over the past decade, marking a generational shift and taking the local music industry to international platforms. Part of this trend are themes of guns, gangs, and hooliganism, with many such songs garnering millions of views, leading to police complaints and ban orders by courts, finds Ashok Kumar
In the northern Indian state of Haryana, a surge in popularity for Haryanvi songs has led to a significant transformation in the music industry. Writer and lyricist Mukesh Jaji, who has seen the rise of Haryanvi music in the region, notes that five years ago, Punjabi songs used to dominate weddings in Haryana, while now the opposite is true.
The success of Haryanvi songs is evident in the massive YouTube views of tracks like “52 Gaj Ka Daman” and “Chatak Matak,” with more than a billion views each. Major music labels like Saregama India Limited, T-Series, and Sony Music are now producing and distributing Haryanvi tracks on streaming platforms, leading to a substantial increase in earnings for local musicians.
The industry has witnessed a shift in the production of music videos, with higher budgets, larger locations, and a more elaborate setup. This boom has attracted top talent and qualified professionals to the Haryanvi music scene. However, the genre has also faced criticism for glorifying violence and gun culture, with some songs depicting the police and judiciary in a negative light.
In response to concerns, a court order was issued in 2019, directing the police authorities to ensure that songs do not glorify violence, liquor, drugs, and other illegal activities.
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