Music as a means of Registering Protest

Music has been a crucial medium for communicating the ambitions, struggles, and resistance of the people of Kashmir, a region driven by political turbulence and social unrest. The moving and evocative heritage of ‘Wanwun,’ a folk music genre which is deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of the Kashmiri people.

The term, ‘Wanwun’ comes from the Kashmiri language, where ‘wun’ means song or melody and ‘wan’ signifies grief or mourning. In essence, ‘Wanwun’ is a musical representation of defiance against hardship, pain, and sorrow. It represents the trauma and resilience of the Kashmiri people as a whole, providing an emotional outlet for their suffering and a way to hold onto their cultural identity in the face of political unrest.

Themes like grief, longing, exile, and the harsh reality of life under conflict are frequently covered in ‘Wanwun’ songs. They portray the deep suffering that Kashmiris have gone through as a result of years of political repression, militarism, and bloodshed. The lyrics frequently create images of a paradise tainted by conflict, with peaceful slopes cast in darkness by the threat of violence and unpredictability.

ہاگلو / ‘Ha Gulo,’ which means ‘Oh Flower,’ is a Kashmiri folk ‘Wanwun’ song written by the revolutionary Kashmiri poet Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor, popularly known as “Shayir Kashmir”. The song is originally sung and composed by Ghulam Mohammad Sofi also popularly known as ‘Ghulam Mohammad Wanwun’and is his most well-known composition.

Lyrics and Meaning

Ha Gulo tuhi Masah Wich Won Yaar miyun

O’flowers have you seen my beloved?

Bul bulo tuhi cheind Toon Dildar miyun

O’nightingale help me find my love

Wini Diwan Poshan prichomm yambar zalan

Tell me o’ narcissus, did my beloved pass by?

Chaye Chaye zaye gov amaar miyun

How would he know how I nursed my agony

Ash Rozum yaar watym az pagah

I remain hopeful my love will come today or tomorrow

Ulfatuq sodha kunum gum meyl hytum

I sold my love and bought sorrow in return

Ath tareeqas peth chaliyuv bapar miyun

Like this my story kept on going

Khaste dil Mahjoor Sar sabdith wanan

Broken Hearted Mahjoor after finishing everything says

Tas madanwaras nasa aww aar miyun

That beloved never got any compassion for me

Explanation

The song opens with a moving tribute to Kashmir’s flowers, addressing them as witnesses to the peace and beauty that once prevailed in the area. The picture of flowers, which is frequently connected to innocence and purity, stands in sharp contrast to the terrible reality of bloodshed and conflict that has consumed Kashmir. Using nature as a witness, the listener’s attention is drawn to the destruction of Kashmir’s landscapes and the loss of innocence brought about by the unrest.

The song vividly describes Kashmir’s breathtaking scenery, including its high mountains, beautiful gardens, and flowing rivers. But these beautiful images are tainted with the melancholic thoughts about the destruction caused by conflict. The song mourns the blood-stained rivers, and the trampled gardens; the mountains echo with agonising cries, expressing the deep sense of loss and sorrow that the Kashmiri people feel in the midst of the turmoil.

Moreover, it is possible to see the refrain of “Ha Gulo, kya khabar tumko”, which means “Oh flowers, what do you know”—as a rhetorical question directed towards people who continue to be unaware of Kashmiris’ sufferings. The line highlights the disparity between the serene beauty of the land’s nature and the tormenting reality that the people face. It expresses a sense and outrage towards those who choose to ignore the human cost of conflict.

In this manner, ‘Ha Gulo’ goes beyond its poetic beauty to become a moving critique of the injustices that the Kashmiri people have had to endure. Its subtle visual and intense impact, is not openly aggressive, but also energises listeners and arouses empathy for the difficulties of Kashmiris. Therefore, it is possible to view ‘Ha Gulo’ as a type of protest that questions popular perceptions and calls for recognition of the human repercussions of the conflict in Kashmir.

The fact that ‘Ha Gulo’ is still so popular today is further evidence of its significance in Kashmiri culture as a symbol of resilience and resistance. Its evocative lyrics and melancholic melodies continue to resonate with listeners despite attempts to silence dissenting voices, serving a reminder of the resilient spirit of the Kashmiri people.

‘Ha Gulo’ carries a strong sense of dissent and struggle against the injustices experienced by Kashmiris. As a timeless protest song in Kashmiri culture, it is a monument to the human spirit’s resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship due to its moving imagery and evocative impact. It is a perfect example of the revolutionary power of music as an instrument for expressing disagreement and registering protest. With its profound words and captivating melody and intense show , the song captures the courage, resistance and brotherhood of the Kashmiri awaam against injustice. “Ha Gulo” is both a political statement and a cultural antique that commemorates Kashmir’s ongoing struggle for freedom and justice for several decades, thereby sparking hope and brotherhood among the people of Kashmir as well as those who hear it.

Written By: Hurmat Farooq

Edited by: Gunjit Verma

This is a guest entry written for The Jamia Review.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.