Music for Masses
Singer Jasbir Jassi is known to lash out against falling standards of contemporary Punjabi songs and videos, yet his latest Tere Thumke does nothing to elevate the same.
He sounds concerned and insists there are measures to ensure that the standard of popular contemporary Punjabi music does not fall any lower. He laments that vulgar lyrics and poor quality videos ornamented with guns, open jeeps, and of course skimpily clad women hit one in the face the moment a Punjabi music channel is switched on. He strongly believes that there needs to be a self-censoring mechanism in place.“This is not who we Punjabis are. Singers are not realising the power of folk, and sadly they are refusing to derive from its rich pool,” he says.
Jasbir Jassi has strong opinions against contemporary Punjabi music, but ask him what he feels about the title, lyrics and video of his own latest single Tere Thumke and he says. “Well, I agree that the video could have been shot better.” And the lyrics? The lyrics are simple, as the song caters to the sensibilities and taste of youngsters.” Point out the skimpily clad women in the video, something he has spoken out against in videos by other singers, and he says, “But they don’t look cheap.”
His latest single might have created a storm on social media (more than 2,191,784 hits and counting), but it surely comes as a shocker for those who have listened to Jugni, the video which was directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Gurvinder Singh. “We need to understand that my serious work gets noticed only when I produce something for the masses. Yes, I remember apologising for the Dillagi video, which showed a lot of skin. But then, the song went on to become a major hit and is still viewed on You Tube. Sadly, this is the age of social media, and one has to do certain things to succeed.”
The singer is busy visiting homes of fast disappearing folk musicians and instrumentalists across Punjab and recording their performances. Calling the project Home Studio, Jassi, while showing clips on his phone, says that the project is likely to go a long way in archiving some of the best voices, sounds and compositions from the region. “This project is really close to my heart. The best is that it’s such an educative and humbling exercise. We are not inviting the musicians to swanky studios but recording everything in their own environment, which adds an element of authenticity.” Despite several offers from major labels, he is yet to decide on the distribution mode. Jassi says, “I do not want it to be seen only by a few who have access to mediums that are fairly expensive. It is important that it reaches every strata of society. Only then will true justice be done to the project.”
Talk to him about the Punjab government's controversial decision about setting up a screening body to check Punjabi songs and videos, and he says. “Are singers not doing it themselves anymore? An external censor board does not work weel in my opinion. It has to come from within.”