Amid stressed diplomatic ties between Indian and Canada over Khalistani separatists, concerts of several Punjabi singers have been cancelled.
A concert with Indian singer Gurdas Mann was cancelled earlier this week. Earlier, a live show with Canada-based Punjabi artist Shubhneet Singh, also known as Shubh, was cancelled for allegedly supporting Khalistani separatists.
A concert with Indian singer Gurdas Mann was cancelled earlier this week. Earlier, a live show with Canada-based Punjabi artist Shubhneet Singh, also known as Shubh, was cancelled for allegedly supporting Khalistani separatists.
Another Indo-Canadian rapper, AP Dhillon, who has millions of fans in India, also faced boycott calls after he posted a long note saying that it has become almost impossible to stay focused on one's craft and do what one loves.
Gurdas Mann
© X (Former Twitter)/@teamgurdasmaan
However, both countries remain connected by culture and, most popularly, music. Punjabi singers from both countries have a large number of fans — touring, producing in, or visiting both countries is part of their normal routine.
A rough idea of how famous Punjabi music is in Canada can be guessed as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been seen performing Punjab’s folk dance Bhangra and playing Punjabi songs in the backdrop.
Why Have Artists Been Cancelled?
India and Canada are experiencing sore diplomatic ties after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that his country's agencies had found a role of Indian government agents in the killing of Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has denied the allegations and stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens. Both countries expelled each other’s diplomats.
Why is Punjabi Music so Special?
Artists like AP Dhillon, Shubh, Diljeet Dosanjh, Jovita Anand, and others are seen as young hip-hop musicians who have taken over Punjabi music over the past decade. Their songs, powerful lyrics, and images represent Indian youth, and often top international music charts.
Sputnik India has spoken with Punjabi artists and Bollywood influencers to understand the backdrop and importance of Punjabi music in Canada and how the recent ties are impacting them.
“Cancelling [an artist's] concert is not something unheard of, whenever there are tensions between two nations and any diplomatic ties are affected, the cultural exchange hits at first, because that's the easiest thing to do”, Nirmika Singh, founder, Mox Asia, a Mumbai-based talent management firm, said.
Many also feel that artists should stay out of politics and not get embroiled in political issues.
Singer and music composer Arko Pravo Mukherjee said, “Artists should focus on their art and stay out of politics. Art itself is an expression of opinions. I don't see the need to voice ill-informed and propaganda-oriented opinions. From Kashmir to Kerala everyone should feel for, speak for and be of service to our nation, as a good citizen”.
Arko Pravo Mukherjee
© Photo : X (Former Twitter)/@ArkoPravo19
“Artists should stay out and away from the politics. The artists of Punjab often get embroiled in political issues. But, we are ambassadors of peace. We are not meant for it”, Indian singer Shibani Kashyap said.
Some, however, think that the Punjabi music industry - both in India and Canada - is far too big to be affected by such issues.
Trudeau Needs to Explain His Stance: Musician Ashok Mastie
A well-known singer who has often performed in Canada, Ashok Mastie, said, “It is quite understandable why [the] Indian government has reacted so strongly on Trudeau’s allegation”.
“The Canadian prime minister now should either clarify his statement or submit some evidence which backs his allegation. They should tell the reason behind such strong allegations”, Mastie stressed.
Ashok Mastie
© Photo : X (Former Twitter)/@Ashokmastie1
Why Has Canada Formed Such Strong Ties Via Music?
In the 1980s, Punjabi folk singers were hugely popular among Sikhs living in Canada. Later, Indian singers like Daler Mahendi started touring and performing in Canada.
As listeners dwelled more and the Sikh community grew, singers started adding more modern concepts to traditional music.
“All these boys who moved to Canada are immigrants, and attached to India and beautifully married to Indian music and they've constructed a whole new paradigm for music, by adding hip-hop and technologies”, Nirmika Singh said.
Singh also said that if things between the two countries don’t improve, the cultural exchange may deteriorate.
Nirmika Singh
© Photo : X (Former Twitter)/@nirmika
It's Not Just About Music, Canada Needs Punjabi Culture
For Punjabis who have grown up abroad, music is also an important medium to reflect on their identity. However, the Punjabi and Sikh bond with India is not just limited to music.
Punjabi is also Canada's second-most spoken non-official language, taught in school, and instructions in the Punjabi language can be seen written in many government departments, including immigration.
Singer Mastie said that Punjabi parents want to ensure that their kids don’t lose touch with their native language, and they work really hard to revamp a Punjab-like culture in Canada.
“As of now, all the festivals, fairs and Punjabi and Sikh occasions celebrated across Canada. You’ll see Punjabi-style restaurants (popularly known as Dhaba). Punjab and Canada are interconnected — Canada itself has no culture, but drew very much from Punjabi. In Canada, you’ll feel that its 99% percent of Punjab, one can’t remove Punjabi culture from Canada”, Mastie added.
UN Cannot Help: Nirmika Singh
Singh has stressed that artists are often easily targeted in political turmoil, and their platforms are stolen. She also said that the UN hasn't been able to help countries and that it's doing nothing.
Singh’s demand for an artist’s interest to be safeguarded by an international agency may sound hopeless, as often the UN fails to understand the concerns of non-Western countries.
Meanwhile, most of the artists who spoke with Sputnik India are hopeful that the two countries will sort out their differences and that artists will soon be able to perform. However, some stressed that Trudeau must clarify his remarks.