Delhi's dipping air quality has become a major point of discussion - at chai sessions during morning walks, on social media, at the workplace, at festive gatherings - everywhere. A few days back before Diwali, when Delhi's AQI hit the severe mark on the scale, musician-duo Nirbhay Garg and Vasu Sharma sang their version of legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's
Tumhe Dillagi Bhool Jaani Padegi, with new lyrics, about Delhi's toxic air and the challenges faced by the residents. The song has reached 2,625,159 views and received 2,15, 608 likes on Instagram till now.
'Music is one of the best ways to spread social awareness''
Jal rahi paraali hai, badal rahi Diwali
hai, yeh kaali chadar har jagah aur khaansi bani qawwali hai,' says music producer Vasu, at the beginning of the music video, where the two are seen sitting on a
chaarpai, with their instruments and props like a
hookah, an inhaler and wearing a string of masks. Regarding their composition, Vasu tells us, "A few days before Diwali, I returned from Himachal after meeting the artiste community there. I was all charged up but as soon as I entered Delhi, I observed the soot that had taken over the city and I started coughing as well. I channelled all my frustration into making a musical rendition of Nusrat Saab's classic qawwali with Nirbhay."
The duo created the rendition to be able to send a message to people living in and on the outskirts of the city. "No one person is responsible for the condition we are in. The responsibility of maintaining a safe environment lies on everyone and we all have the right to breathe clean air," says Nirbhay. He adds, "We also wanted to highlight the dichotomy of human nature, so we kept props like the hookah and cigarettes. We want people to understand that apart from the necessary policy-level action, we need proactive steps to curb air pollution from NCR residents as well." Vasu, says, "We are happy that our message is reaching people across the country. This has inspired us to create more music about the causes that matter to us and Delhiites," says Vasu.
'Smog ka dariya hai...'Spoof song on air pollution in Delhi-NCR goes viral
The lyrics 'Asthma, Bronchitis
se phir na bachoge, bill hospital
ka ghata kar toh dekho.
Tumhe clean
hawa bhool jaani padegi, Delhi NCR
mein aakar toh dekho' prod one to think about the challenges faced by the city and its people. "We wanted the song to be hilarious and catchy while also being relevant and meaningful. The aim was to release a song which made sense to the masses and brought out the feelings of the common man. Music and art are a few of the best ways to spread social awareness. If our message has reached people, our purpose as musicians has been fulfilled," says Nirbhay.
A recent report by the India Meteorological Department on NCR's air quality suggests that 'no significant respite is expected till Friday'.
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