Opinion: The Blurring Divide of Punjabi Music in India and Pakistan
While enjoying my tea last weekend and browsing through Instagram, I couldn’t help but notice how the Gharwi Group’s viral verse from Coke Studio Pakistan’s song Blockbuster was all over my feed. “Ve kurta leyaiyan mai Ludhaineyon, mai suneya si kahaniyan, ve marjaneya.” Have you ever wondered what made this line so popular in the Indian social space in recent weeks?
One might assume that it’s just music, and everyone around the world enjoys all kinds of music – which is true. However, Punjabi music has always had a broad appeal to people worldwide.
Exploring the Unity of Music Across Borders
Music has long been a universal language for people to express their thoughts and emotions through words and melodies. When we talk about Punjabi music specifically, it reflects the rich traditions of the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, primarily associated with the Punjabi language.
Following the partition of 1947, Punjab was split into East Punjab (India) and West Punjab (Pakistan), becoming the most populous province in the latter country.
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“It was the partition of Punjab.. but Punjabi soul can’t be divided.. always Sanja Punjab, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, sabda Punjab,” a tweet I came across this morning beautifully encapsulated this sentiment.
Even after almost 77 years since the partition, artists on both sides of the border continue to reference each other through their music, creating a cross-border cultural diaspora that is my personal ‘Roman empire’. Let’s take a quick look back at this exchange of music and cultural influences between Punjab and pick out some noteworthy songs.
Having grown up in Eastern India with limited exposure to cinema and music, fate led me to a career as an entertainment journalist. My first encounter with Punjabi music was through Yo Yo Honey Singh, Bilal Saeed, Imran Khan, Alfaaz, and Diljit Dosanjh.
While Punjabi music has always had a presence in Hindi cinema, it began to permeate more extensively in the industry, becoming a crucial element in crafting hit albums. Today, I am specifically referring to songs produced in rural regions, rather than mainstream Punjabi music.
Ammy Virk, known for his role in Bad Newz, was featured in the 2022 movie Bajre Da Sitta with a song titled Gali Lahore Di sung by Noor Chahal and Sargi Maan. The song’s hook, “Mere valaan vichla cheer ve gali Lahore di,” translates to ‘Let the partitions of my hair resemble the streets of Lahore’ – a beautiful tribute.
Lahore in Pakistan has been referenced in several Indian Punjabi songs, such as Guru Randhawa’s Lagdi Lahore Di Aa, celebrating the beauty of women from Lahore.
Gurdas Mann and Diljit Dosanjh’s song Ki Banu Duniya Da touches on the impact of partition and makes nostalgic mentions of Punjab in Pakistan. The song reflects on the shared history and emotions between the two regions.
There was also the playful song Janjhan from the movie Lahoriye, continuing the theme of cross-border appreciation through music.
Indian singer Surinder Kaur’s blockbuster track Jutti Kasuri directly references footwear made in Kasur, Pakistan. Mannat Noor’s Multan and Neha Bhasin’s Chan Mahi also make nods to the city of Multan in Pakistan.
These are just a few examples of how Punjabi music celebrates unity and shared heritage across borders. Both Pakistani and Indian music industries have collaborated to create masterpieces that resonate across borders and keep the mutual love alive.
Which of these songs resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts with @pinkvilla and stay tuned for more heartfelt stories and insights.
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