Controversial View On Today's Punjabi Music Industry

[Abneet]

My view on Punjabi Music industry is harsh. Today you have uninspiring singers who's name I don't want to even mention. First of all I'll say today's Sikh youth don't even recoginize or know stories of Shaheedis or other inspiring Sikhs of the past. Instead they know of singers that promotes such things that should not even be listened at all to. I'm saying they should look up to real Singhs of the Khalsa Panth in the past in a influential way not as a idol. They have fallen into a hole listening to bad music having a bad affect on them without them noticing themselves. Even in the Rehit Maryada we were told not to be looking up to idols. Still the youth and even keshdharis themselves listen to vulgar music. I see this happening to all Sikh teenagers in America. Today you see less and less Sikh youth knowing about their heritage and what our past legends have done for us. More and more are tuning into vulgar Punjabi music.

Why am I complaining about this? It's because since they are influenced by these Punjabi singers they want to be like them in the way they look. Today Sikh girls see models, celebrities, stars and try to fit in. Don't tell me this is all false I've seen real life scenarios where a Sikh man shaves to try to look like Diljit Singh. How ridiculous is that.

The other thing is SPN community don't be fooled if these singers try to get on the good side of the Sikhs. Like some singers will sing about the Khalsa, Shaheedis, Gurus, and try to win the hears of true Sikhs. Then after they finish a song about Sikhi they go back to songs about alcohol,lust, and money. Even some supported Gurbaksh Singh with his hunger strike. To me it was for a good cause but it was all a publicity stunt. They know what Sikhi is and what to do and not do. They choose the path to earn money over keeping Sikhi values and spreading Sikhi knowledge. If they want to sing about Sikh values and heritage why not follow them too? These singers will show up for a good cause just to win the hearts of their fans. In reality they don't even follow Sikhi.

I'm not saying they are all bad. There are good Punjabi singers out there. But they should all be an good example for the Sikh Youth. As of right now, they can do a lot better. What would you like to see as an improvement saat sangat ji?

Mauf Karna Ji, if I offended anyone in terms if they like the Punjabi Music Industry as it is then be it. WJKKWJKF

 

[Harry Haller]

My view on Punjabi Music industry is harsh. Today you have uninspiring singers who's name I don't want to even mention. First of all I'll say today's Sikh youth don't even recoginize or know stories of Shaheedis or other inspiring Sikhs of the past.

who are todays Sikh youth? are you talking about young people that were born into Sikh families? or Sikhs that happen to be of young age?

If its the former, frankly I do not blame them, they have been brought up on a diet of ritual and superstition, been told to worship the SGGS, to bow before photos of Shaheedis, to mumble bani. The first Guru stated that he would not wear a sacred thread, as it would not make him a better person, that seems like a very very very long time ago.

Instead they know of singers that promotes such things that should not even be listened at all to

given the alternative of closed minded thinking, given that young Sikh girls may not wish to spend a lifetime being told what to do, what to think, how to act, how to dress, frankly I do not blame them associating such with freedom.

I'm saying they should look up to real Singhs of the Khalsa Panth in the past in a influential way not as a idol.

how do you know they do not do both? If I can write this post and read yours while playing 'the ace of spades' by motorhead at full volume, I am sure they are also capable of appreciating many different things.

They have fallen into a hole listening to bad music having a bad affect on them without them noticing themselves

and you know this from.......?

Even in the Rehit Maryada we were told not to be looking up to idols. Still the youth and even keshdharis themselves listen to vulgar music. I see this happening to all Sikh teenagers in America. Today you see less and less Sikh youth knowing about their heritage and what our past legends have done for us. More and more are tuning into vulgar Punjabi music.

its called rebellion, it happens when you force people to do something without proper explanation or wisdom, it happens when you do not have the answers, it happens when you try and force your ideals on another instead of allowing them the luxury of self awareness and self discovery.

Why am I complaining about this? It's because since they are influenced by these Punjabi singers they want to be like them in the way they look. Today Sikh girls see models, celebrities, stars and try to fit in. Don't tell me this is all false I've seen real life scenarios where a Sikh man shaves to try to look like Diljit Singh. How ridiculous is that.

not as ridiculous as a Granthi looking at porn on his phone whilst sitting in front of the SGGS, as reported a while back, I have no idea why you are complaining, since when did being a Sikh involve telling other people what to do?

The other thing is SPN community don't be fooled if these singers try to get on the good side of the Sikhs. Like some singers will sing about the Khalsa, Shaheedis, Gurus, and try to win the hears of true Sikhs. Then after they finish a song about Sikhi they go back to songs about alcohol,lust, and money

Those crafty singers eh, what do you think we should do? forcible conversion? jail? force feed them daal through a funnel?

Even some supported Gurbaksh Singh with his hunger strike. To me it was for a good cause but it was all a publicity stunt

they might see it differently

They choose the path to earn money over keeping Sikhi values and spreading Sikhi knowledge.

sorry are we still talking about those singers, or have we moved on to the many bodies that pretend to represent Sikhs

If they want to sing about Sikh values and heritage why not follow them too?

that could apply equally to the many ragis,..

These singers will show up for a good cause just to win the hearts of their fans. In reality they don't even follow Sikhi.

ditto

I'm not saying they are all bad. There are good Punjabi singers out there. But they should all be an good example for the Sikh Youth. As of right now, they can do a lot better. What would you like to see as an improvement saat sangat ji?

I would like to live and let live, and focus instead on educating our Sikh youth on the basics of Sikhism so that they yearn for naam, so that they are balanced, wise and able to appreciate all aspects of life.

 

[Abneet]

who are todays Sikh youth? are you talking about young people that were born into Sikh families? or Sikhs that happen to be of young age?

If its the former, frankly I do not blame them, they have been brought up on a diet of ritual and superstition, been told to worship the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, to bow before photos of Shaheedis, to mumble bani. The first Guru stated that he would not wear a sacred thread, as it would not make him a better person, that seems like a very very very long time ago.



given the alternative of closed minded thinking, given that young Sikh girls may not wish to spend a lifetime being told what to do, what to think, how to act, how to dress, frankly I do not blame them associating such with freedom.



how do you know they do not do both? If I can write this post and read yours while playing 'the ace of spades' by motorhead at full volume, I am sure they are also capable of appreciating many different things.



and you know this from.......?



its called rebellion, it happens when you force people to do something without proper explanation or wisdom, it happens when you do not have the answers, it happens when you try and force your ideals on another instead of allowing them the luxury of self awareness and self discovery.



not as ridiculous as a Granthi looking at porn on his phone whilst sitting in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as reported a while back, I have no idea why you are complaining, since when did being a Sikh involve telling other people what to do?



Those crafty singers eh, what do you think we should do? forcible conversion? jail? force feed them daal through a funnel?



they might see it differently



sorry are we still talking about those singers, or have we moved on to the many bodies that pretend to represent Sikhs



that could apply equally to the many ragis,..



ditto



I would like to live and let live, and focus instead on educating our Sikh youth on the basics of Sikhism so that they yearn for naam, so that they are balanced, wise and able to appreciate all aspects of life.

Some Points I agree with you Harry ji about how we should appreciate all aspects of life. If what I wrote seemed to make force only reliable option left than I did not intend to say that. You associate freedom a little too much. When Punjabi parents come to America a lot became laid back and let their children have a lot of more freedom in choosing what they want to listen and etc... So my question to you is how much freedom should be given? No doubt about it force isn't a option. Only teaching to the youth today can help them discover whats right from wrong. Rebellion only happens when one isn't taught very well about a subject in this case Sikhi. I know all this from experience and from seeing how people in my Sangat are.

Don't refer to Granthis or raagis that is off-topic. We know not all of them are bad. Some just do stupid things. Back to what you were saying about letting youth become self-discovery and self-aware that is a problem in today's culture. I don't know where you live but if you definitely let a Sikh youth today in their teenage years make their own choices you will see bad results in regards of keeping their faith.

 

[Harry Haller]

You associate freedom a little too much.

Do you really think our Shaheeds gave their lives up just for some hair? The issue was never the hair, it was the freedom to follow whatever faith in whatever way they chose, so to me, the struggle in our history is not about being free to grow hair, it is about being free, period. Freedom is the single most important issue to me, yes, I associate freedom a little too much

When Punjabi parents come to America a lot became laid back and let their children have a lot of more freedom in choosing what they want to listen and etc... So my question to you is how much freedom should be given?

That question does not apply just to Punjabi parents, it applies to all parents, I resent religion being used as a big stick to beat people with, I resent parents who know nothing about Sikhism justifying their own agendas with religion.

I was not a parent till I was given a stepson when he was 15, so I have some experience in this department, at the end of the day, what I have learned is that you cannot force anyone to do anything, all you can do is educate, the parent that rules with a rod of iron, has educated nothing, everything works due to fear, so it is no surprise that in a liberal environment, people, with no fear, behave differently.

No doubt about it force isn't a option. Only teaching to the youth today can help them discover whats right from wrong. Rebellion only happens when one isn't taught very well about a subject in this case Sikhi. I know all this from experience and from seeing how people in my Sangat are.

then I wonder why you are arguing such a moot point.

Don't refer to Granthis or raagis that is off-topic. We know not all of them are bad. Some just do stupid things.

you could apply that statement equally to our youth

Back to what you were saying about letting youth become self-discovery and self-aware that is a problem in today's culture. I don't know where you live but if you definitely let a Sikh youth today in their teenage years make their own choices you will see bad results in regards of keeping their faith.

you mean they might want to be a Sikh because they find it interesting and absorbing, rather than mumbling idol worshipers which can then be exported to the next generation?

 

[Abneet]

Do you really think our Shaheeds gave their lives up just for some hair? The issue was never the hair, it was the freedom to follow whatever faith in whatever way they chose, so to me, the struggle in our history is not about being free to grow hair, it is about being free, period. Freedom is the single most important issue to me, yes, I associate freedom a little too much



That question does not apply just to Punjabi parents, it applies to all parents, I resent religion being used as a big stick to beat people with, I resent parents who know nothing about Sikhism justifying their own agendas with religion.

I was not a parent till I was given a stepson when he was 15, so I have some experience in this department, at the end of the day, what I have learned is that you cannot force anyone to do anything, all you can do is educate, the parent that rules with a rod of iron, has educated nothing, everything works due to fear, so it is no surprise that in a liberal environment, people, with no fear, behave differently.



then I wonder why you are arguing such a moot point.



you could apply that statement equally to our youth



you mean they might want to be a Sikh because they find it interesting and absorbing, rather than mumbling idol worshipers which can then be exported to the next generation?

Our past Shaheeds would rather get their scalp cut open then their hair cut... You say it wasn't over a issue of hair. That wasn't the real issue but they showed how important hair was to them and being a true Sikh. Other than that I agree on the points you've made. Hopefully the industry makes changes for a brighter future.

 

[angrisha]

For some reason this all reminds of when everyone thought rap/rock and role etc was bad...

Honestly, I listen to punjabi music all the time... prob most of the singers that you didnt really mention. I have no problem with it at all, there is a very big difference between religion and culture. We can choose to reside in both. Culturally what these singers are singing about is relevant, weather they want to be catchy and put out a few songs you can dance too or turn around show you a deeper side of things.

No one lives in one dimension, we are apart of this world with everything else in it. Singers or artists have every right to express themselves and pay homage to Sat Guru as well as sing about and rejoice in other cultural things they so choose....

Bottom line, if you dont like it, dont listen to it.

 

[aristotle]

Bottom line, if you dont like it, dont listen to it.

This!