Bhimgeet Resonates Across Lucknow on Ambedkar Jayanti
In Lucknow, the typical political clamor for Dalit votes during Ambedkar Jayanti was overshadowed on Tuesday by the powerful echoes of songs celebrating the life and legacy of BR Ambedkar. These renditions, known as Bhimgeet, are deeply rooted in popular folk styles and serve as a medium to spread socio-political messages of equality, dignity, education, and resistance to caste discrimination among the masses. Over the years, they have evolved into a unique blend of faith and assertion, highlighting Ambedkar's enduring influence on society.
Folk Tunes with a Transformative Message
From a distance, the melodies might resemble traditional folk songs from Purvanchal or Bihar, but the lyrics are creatively improvised to eulogize the icon Ambedkar. One such song, circulating near Lohia Park, went: "Jug Jug Jiye se lalanwa… ho anagwana… Bheema khelein ho angawana… More baba maai ke ratanwa Bheema khelein ho anganwa…" It detailed the names of Bhimrao's parents and their joy at his birth.
Sung by Ram Chandra Prajapati, this song garnered thousands of likes on social media, using hashtags like Ambedkarwadi sohar, Bheemgeet, and Missiongeet to describe its roots in the folk genre called sohar, typically sung to celebrate a baby's birth in a family. The dramatic cadence, punctuated by dholak beats and rising vocal intensity, added a sense of grandeur to the performances, attracting large crowds well into the evening.
Diverse Musical Tributes and Emotional Impact
Similarly, Sachin Valmiki presented light music compositions dedicated to Babasaheb at the Culture Department's official program. His first presentation, "Maa baap tak gawa diya, Daliton ka sar utha diya", listed the sacrifices made by Ambedkar for society. Lines such as "Jeevan bhar sangharsh kiya, Nyay ka deep jala diya, Andhkaar mein jeene walon ko, Jeene ka haq dila diya…" resonated deeply with the audience.
His song on Ambedkar's teachings urged youth to avoid addiction and pursue education diligently. "Aye Veer nasho ko chor deo, tezaab hai botal tod deo – kab tak pariwaar rulaoge ye zeher ka pyala tod deo" received multiple rounds of applause.
Other performers included singers Ram Nivas Paswan and Ritesh Kumar at Ambedkar Mahasabha, while Tribhuvan Bharti and Shyamjeet Singh traveled from Mau and Lakhimpur Kheri to sing for their icons in Lucknow. Some songs, like "Ambedkarji ki ardhangini", emphasized the role of Rama Bai, Ambedkar's wife, who consistently motivated him.
Local DJs even blended these emotional songs with high-decibel remixed versions for shobha yatras around Ambedkar memorials and Dalit-dominated hamlets, showcasing the adaptability of Bhimgeet in modern contexts.
Insights from Performers and Scholars
In an interview, Sachin Valmiki remarked, "Music is a very powerful medium of expression of one's emotions. The deep feelings of singers for their icon could have led to what one calls Bheemgeet." He urged followers not to listen merely for entertainment but to grasp the importance of Ambedkar's teachings on education, unity, and the struggle for rights and dignity.
Socio-political commentators noted that Bhimgeet functions as a messaging instrument. Prof Sushil Pandey, a faculty member in political history at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, explained, "Indian knowledge system has many examples where music has been used for storytelling and building narratives. Times have changed but their power has not. Bhimgeet are an example."
K Kalyani, a PhD scholar at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, observed that Bhimgeet reflect reverence for various anti-caste icons, with Ambedkar being the most prominent. She studied music as a form of cultural expression that has enabled mobility for Dalit Bahujan communities and their cultural production.
This musical celebration in Lucknow underscores how Bhimgeet continues to inspire and educate, transcending mere political symbolism to foster a deeper connection with Ambedkar's ideals.
