AN EQUAL MUSIC
GINNI MAHI 20 SINGER/ ACTIVIST, JALANDHAR, PUNJAB
Sitting on the cemented terrace of her house in the old part of Jalandhar, Ginni Mahi points to the urban jungle around. Sometimes, the popularity her songs have garnered seems almost unreal to her. “Honestly, I just sing about things I feel strongly about. I never had any ambition of being called a star,” says Mahi, who hails from the Jatav community in Punjab. The young girl, with an almost child-like face, may not be the first in the state to sing about Dalit empowerment (singers like Chamkila, Raj Dadral and Roop Lal Dhir did that decades back), but she’s the first to appeal across caste lines. Her foot-tapping compositions, catchy music and easy to understand lyrics are a rage across Punjab.
Today, the narrative in most popular contemporary Punjabi music revolves around ‘Jat pride’ and ‘bravery’, whereas Mahi’s music brings forth an urgency, incorporating society’s inequality, women’s empowerment and long-lost values. “Of course, I stress on the discrimination being faced by Dalits, but inclusiveness remains an indispensable part of my lyrics, something that helps me cater to a wider audience base,” insists the singer, who has been performing live not only in India but across the world, including in countries like Greece, Germany, Canada and England. Veteran Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans says, “Mahi has given a new narrative to contemporary Punjabi music, going by what she’s achieved at such a young age.”
Mahi’s father Rakesh Chander, a social worker, played a pivotal role in moulding the young lady’s mind. He says even as a child she was musically inclined: “She would go into a trance whenever the radio or television was switched on. We always knew she was gifted.”
With two albums, Gur aan di Diwani (2015) and Gurupurab hai Kanshi Wale da (2016), besides singles like Danger Chamar, Haq, Fan Baba Sahib Di, Ki Hoya Je Main Dhee Hain, Mahi feels she is just getting started.
That said, she disagrees with the general view among many Punjabi music industry professionals that people are interested only in dance numbers when it comes to Punjabi songs. “It is quite demeaning to assume the entire audience base considers this art form only as a means of light entertainment. Socially relevant lyrics will always strike a chord; my songs are proof of this,” insists the singer who has been performing live since age eight. Next up on her wishlist: being a playback singer in the Hindi film industry and doing a doctorate in music.