With the recent ‘Beep’ song being criticised for its choice of words, we look at the scenario in Mollywood, where too misogynist songs are not uncommon.
The internet is giving patriarchy a year-ending gift in the form of the hashtag #feministbollysongs. Twitter has gone berserk over it with users correcting sexist lyrics of some good old and brand new Bollywood songs.
However, this is just a beginning. If one takes a look at the songs released this year even in the Malayalam industry, some of the biggest hits were songs oozing with sexual connotation and words that degrade woman to a mere object that is made to nod to men's whims and fancies.
No matter what the lyrics, with a catchy tune the song becomes a super hit, with even five-year-olds singing them along for days.
As the world is fighting tooth and nail to move towards gender equality we seemed to be left behind and misogyny seems to be in abundant supply from Malayalam film industry as well.
Malayalam film industry has never shied away from composing songs with traces of eroticism. Throughout the growth of the industry, songs such as Praananaathan Enikku Nalkiya from Enipaddikal by Irayimman Thampi to Chempoove from Kaalapani by Girish Puthenchery were loved for its lyrical beauty.
People did not question the beauty of the game-changer Lajjavathiye even when it had lines like 'thotturumi ninnatte' which literally translates to asking a girl to stand in close physical proximity whether she likes it or not. That was a different time, when gender equality was hardly in question.
Times have changed, today songs like the ‘Beep song' by Tamil actor Chimbu is getting bashed by the All-India Democratic Women's Association for its sexist lyrics.
The Malayalam film industry however seems unfazed by all this, songs like Aval vendra ival vendra from the hit movie Premam and Premam ennal enthanu penne from Amar Akbar Anthony continue to be churned out from the industry.
Lyricist B.K. Hari Narayanan points out that although he does not support penning sexist songs, sexism is not limited to the film industry.
When asked if the public mentality would change if they are given better options, he says, "There are so many good movies being made but very few of them are successful. Who is to be blamed then?"
Singer Amrutha Suresh says, "The song almost always depends on the kind of story and characters in the movie. If the story demands such a song, then I think such songs are required to do justice to the movie."
Poet, novelist and lyricist Rafeeq Ahammed stands strongly against female objectification through songs. He says, "I do not blame the public for the contents the film industry creates. Malayalam songs with vulgar portrayal of women have been around for years now. It is unfortunate that it exists even now; it should not be allowed anymore. I never supported it and if anyone approaches me to write such songs, I will never comply."
Musician Govind P. Menon of the band Thaikkudam Bridge points out, "I personally do not agree with the composition of songs with contents that objectify women, but as a musician if a song is composed in that way, then we cannot blame just one lyricist. It is high time to push aside the place from where such ideas originate in the first place."
He adds, "The film industry has a hit-maker formula is compose such songs based on the mentality of society. But I think things are slowly changing. More women-oriented movies are being made now."
When asked about the song 'Ayo chetta' which was noted for its vulgar lyrics composed by his fellow band member Vian Fernandez, he says, "As per the rules of the band we do not involve ourselves with personal works of our band members, whether it be Vian's own compositions or Siddharth's (Siddharth Menon) latest movie. Vian is from Mumbai, where songs like these get made very often and this was pretty normal for him, so he went ahead with it even when we did not support it."
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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