Music fans patriotism, addresses today’s social issues, say India's 'free' musicians

Ayushmann Khurrana feels we must acknowledge that society needs change, which can be brought in through music. Vishal Dadlani says 'protest music' has been a major way of promoting love for one’s country. Read on for more gyan on music, freedom and patriotism.

Ayushmann Khurrana feels we must acknowledge that society needs change that can be brought about through art and music. Vishal Dadlani says 'protest music' has been a major way of promoting love for one’s country. Read on for more gyan on music, freedom and patriotism by our favourite musicians.

Musicians from across the country talk about how music has helped in imbibing patriotism and addressing today’s social issues. Read on.

I think there’s a wave of patriotism in the youth. This is proved by the fact that so much independent music is getting consumed and indigenous bands are being celebrated. There is also a lot of national pride when international artists want to collaborate with Indian musicians.
	I feel music has become more of a tool to launch a movie than a way to create meaningful content. There are hardly any patriotic compositions these days. We do miss those ghazals and patriotic songs that were there even in film music.
Indians over the years have become more of global citizens and they don’t get moved by over-patriotic jingoism. So instead of patriotic songs, we musicians should aspire to make songs on social change. If we are patriotic, we must acknowledge that we need change and bring that in through art and music.
	Urban music, especially film music is superficial. Local musicians, regional music and protest music form a big part of what is patriotic and pure in nature. I don’t see it happening, in the mainstream music industry as much as it should.
Protest music has been a major way of promoting patriotism and love for one’s country. Several organisations like the Kabir Kala manch and others are promoting this music. However, it now has to be brought into the mainstream.
	Even in Electronic Dance Music (EDM), which is now becoming popular in India, we make patriotic songs. We don’t make remixes of patriotic songs, but have a fresh take on them. Various EDM bands also make music on social causes, which is also patriotic.
We need to start singing our songs in our regional languages. Singing in a different language makes the song alien. Unless you sing and write songs in your own mother tounge, people will not be able to relate to the song and adopt it in mainstream music.
	Music as a medium is a wonderful way to express things that are socially relevant and reach out to the masses. This Independence Day, we hope that all of us who are part of the music fraternity, use this medium to make music that is more meaningful, and talks about things that ought to be talked about.
Rahul Ram Music as a medium is a wonderful way to express things that are socially relevant and reach out to the masses. This Independence Day, we hope that all of us who are part of the music fraternity, use this medium to make music that is more meaningful, and talks about things that ought to be talked about.	Raftaar, rapper Today’s youth have a different view of patriotism. For us, it is about being yourself, of knowing who you are, and celebrating your roots. So, we can use our music to do that — that is being patriotic. For example, I use hip-hop or rap to talk about my country and why I am proud to be an Indian.