What is more insulting to Sikhs: Bollywood or Bhangra?

[Summy]

Somebody sent me this video of a sikh student organization protesting bollywood for their representation of sikhs in their films. Thats when I began to think, even though I don't side with bollywood, how can, of ALL people in the world, sikhs be upset with their protrayl in the media.

The quarrell is that sikhs are protrayed as alcoholic, idiots, that just want to have "fun" type. Then we turn to popular bhangra. Lyrics revolve around jatts and punjabis being alcoholics, around the objectification of the female body etc...

The way I look at it, when bollywood protrays sikhs in a negative manner, it speaks to that fact that ignorance exists in the world, and I am not surprised that it happened. But how can we point a finger at bollywood and say dont take us for drunken fools and idiots, when our own music protrays that message?

Kinda hypocritical don't you think?

 

[ranjit singh]

great topic of discussion.
here's an article i read a while back that is somewhat relevant:
http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=587&cat=12

 

[Guppi Top Da]

they bezthi saardars in bollywood. ya mainstream music is bad... but they usually represent PUNJABI PEOPLE.

but wearing a pugg in bollywood movie usually means the sardar is sikh - and its just bezthi.

they make them look so foolish.

 

[Chidiya]

No offense, but what about when others are being made fun of? Why isn't anyone complaining then? It's just bollywood. Give it a rest.

 

[pritpal94]

I have no problem with Bollywood

 

[kinnell]

We can approach this thread in two ways:

First we can say, hey, that's true. Sikhs are one group of people that are made fun of by these two industries. We can discuss the topic but then understand that Sikhs are not the ONLY group made fun of in India. And this can open up to discussions about how other groups are also negatively portrayed.

Or, we can accept the fact that there will always be groups made fun of, come to the conclusion that insulting other cultures and groups seems like a way to make one's culture and group seem better and it is a thought that is inheritantly human. We could discuss why people spend so much time arguing about the insignificant differences between men rather than the huge similarities.

 

[Vick]

No offense, but what about when others are being made fun of? Why isn't anyone complaining then? It's just bollywood. Give it a rest.

Well said buddy...

 

[Basim]

No offense, but what about when others are being made fun of? Why isn't anyone complaining then? It's just bollywood. Give it a rest.

Well said buddy...

I have no problem with Bollywood

Bollywood for life my friends!! ;D I probably love the Bollywood entertainment industry just as much as I love the Bhangra industry. Actually, I would have to admit that I watched Bollywood movies and listed to Bollywood songs long before I listened to Bhangra songs or was part of this whole Bhangra scene.

But how can we point a finger at bollywood and say dont take us for drunken fools and idiots, when our own music protrays that message?

Kinda hypocritical don't you think?

This is quite true. Once Punjabis move past this idea that drinking daru, trying to act gangster, and acting like a loud idiot is "cool".. then we begin seeing the rest of the world taking us more seriously. Also, I respect the artists who actually cater their lyrics and are rolemodels in their own lives to not fall into this typical stereotype.

Just my 2 cents,

~ Basim

 

[Mukandpuria]

this just came to me......i am not sure Summy how many times you have been to Punjab, but have you even noticed a difference from Sadars in Dehli and sadars in a Pind? I personally think there is a huge difference...sadars in the pind will see a movie with a sadar being jolly and slow and get offended and people in dehli will look at it as humor. I am pretty sure Bollywood starts and directors live in big cities like Dehli and Mumbi, and there for don't find it as a big deal...just something to think about...

 

[Summy]

they bezthi saardars in bollywood. ya mainstream music is bad... but they usually represent PUNJABI PEOPLE.

but wearing a pugg in bollywood movie usually means the sardar is sikh - and its just bezthi.

they make them look so foolish.

Haha, what?! Oh I see, bhangra is more acceptable because it not only does sardars bezthi but ALL punjabi peoples, whereas those bastard in bollywood only make fun of sardars. I dont know what looks for foolish, someone in a pugh singing about alcohol, and getting drunk, in a bhangra song, and having their kids dance to it (even though they probably dont comprehend the full meaning of the song), or people watching bollywood movies that only reinforce what happens in Bhangra.

You made no sense.


ABHI,

Your post was funny just because you were like "how many times have you been to punjab". I was born and raised in Punjab and came here when I was 14, and travel back every year. There is no difference between a delhi gursikh and a punjab gursikh, only the fact that one may be influenced heavily by a hetrogenus culture.



The point that needs to be understand is there is no separation between bhangra "good v bad". If people are willing to critsize bollywood for their lack or morality wholely, as should we with bhangra music.

Nothing is more disrespectful to a pugh, and sikhism then when I hear bhangra singers with pughs on assoicate sikhi with substance abuse. Its disgusting, but nobody is gonna quite understand that unforunately, it will be belittled in most peoples ind as overeacting.

Thats article was amazing, great article... WOW. I hope your subscribe to those notions put forth ranjit