“…The dream is to walk towards an equal and level playing platform for Arts and to reclaim human dignity envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar.”
- From Spotify’s artist profile page on The Casteless Collective
I had to round off the trilogy of Arivu songs with the “Jai Bhim Anthem”. The Casteless Collective is a “protest music ensemble” - a group of “socially and musically diverse” artists from Chennai brought together with the particular intent of making music that speaks truth to power and brings issues of caste discrimination and inequality to the fore. The social activist and filmmaker Pa Ranjith’s vision was instrumental to the formation of the band.
The band uses traditional and local musical instruments and styles along with western music in its composition. Gaana music that is traditionally played at funerals and other community events is the vehicle to address social issues and identity politics. Gaana is popular in North Chennai - many of the performers in the 19 member band have faced tremendous caste discrimination, and some have played in funerals all their lives. They had never faced a live audience before joining the band. The members assert that the form was never meant to be performed on the stage, but the eclectic mix of various folk and modern forms allows them to create a unique sound to address issues that touch their very existence. The lyrics are conversational, while the themes are serious. The band members talk of a variety of influences including the Black Arts movement and hip-hop. The influences are varied, featuring just about every genre that “comes from a place of aggression and anarchy".
The shared stain of caste unites the artists, and each member of the band has a backstory that becomes the whetstone for their creative fervour. The Jai Bhim Anthem is a spirited rap biography of “Babasaheb”, laying bare the connection between his revolutionary existence and the state of the oppressed today - “To talk back, over- throw/ Who gave us right, tell me now?”
As Arivu launches into the crescendo of the chorus, with his other band members backing him up in a high register, triumphant cries of Jai Bhim reverberate through the crowd. It is a fierce celebration of difference, and the assertion of unity and resolve in the battle for freedom. Pa Ranjith steps onto the stage towards the end, joining the artists in their musical sloganeering.
Read Ambedkar start now, start here
See your life change, forever and ever…Jai Jai Bhim! Let’s raise our voice
No more caste, let’s rejoice…
Watch the video! I have shared the entire text of the song in English translation drawn from the subtitles.