Renowned actor-singer Aroon Bakshi has come up with a “defining” patriotic song
By SHRI RAM SHAW
New Delhi: Renowned Bollywood actor-singer Aroon Bakshi has come up with a ‘defining patriotic song’ on Pakistan occupied Kashmir – “PoK Aithe Rakh.” The 3.39-minute song, penned, composed and rendered by the eminent artist himself, has an enthralling and mesmerizing effect.
Legendary Bollywood actors of yesteryears – Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra have all praise for this song and Aroon Bakshi. In their congratulatory messages, they have said, “By God’s grace, this song is becoming a revolution. After listening to this number, every Indian is bound to get charged-up. When such songs come into being, a sort of nostalgia erupts.”
Manoj Kumar writes, “Tu mitti da Bawya…kamaal…Zinda reh shera…love”, while Prem Chopra sums up all his expressions in a solitary word – “WONDERFUL”.
Netizens too have heaped praise on Aroon Bakshi for this patriotic song. Vinod Sharma wrote, “The patriotic song sung by Aroon Bakshi ji, a versatile actor-singer of Bollywood has already won the hearts of millions by his melodious voice in many albums. Now, with this song sung with full enthusiasm he has added another feather in cap. We do hope that this song too will create wonders in the music world. Hats off. Congratulations!”
Arohi wrote, “This is best Indian patriotic song.” Manju Sriram said, “Energetic singing and great initiative.” Prashant Shrivastava said, “There is no end of your talent. Sure PoK will be ours. Awesome song with amazing voice.” Abhijay wrote, “I have no words to describe for such a memorable song sung by Aroon ji. For writing any comments I have to open the pages of Dictionary and Directory.”
Sanjay Swaraj said, “Powerful words and singing beautifully Aroon sir.” Ekansh Bhardwaj wrote, “Solid words in solid voice sir.” Himanshu Bohra wrote, “Energetic song and full of energy.” Ishwar Vashisth said, “It’s too good…full of Josh…Yes, we will win.”
In an exclusive interview with this journalist (Shri Ram Shaw), the stalwart actor-singer Aroon Bakshi called upon to inflict heavy costs on Pakistan for aiding and abetting terrorism. He said, “Despite successes on the security front, we cannot be complacent. Pakistan is still sponsoring terrorism against India by sending in trained terrorists and providing arms, ammunition and funds to terror outfits and separatists. Pakistan is the source of all terrorism emanating against India. As long as Pakistan can carry on with the proxy war against India with the ease, which it has been doing since the last three decades, there is no reason for us to believe, that it will call it off. It is, therefore, imperative to inflict heavy costs on Pakistan for aiding and abetting terrorism.’’
Bakshi further said, “Terrorism was firmly entrenched for the last three decades in the Valley. Taking up of the gun by a large number of educated youths was not only a readily available option but an attractive and glamorous one as well. Dimensions and dynamics of terrorism were seen changing. Our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government’s firm decision has changed the scenario in the Valley.”
“J&K has been facing terrorism for last three decades. About 5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits who are the aboriginals of Kashmir were driven out from their homeland, by gun-wielding Islamist forces, sponsored by Pakistan. There cannot be a more humiliating let down for a community, which strongly believes in the idea of united India and are nationalists to the core but driven out to become refugees in their own country,” he added.
As movie buffs, we have all known Aroon Bakshi as a consummate actor. His face on silver screen is synonymous with depth, intensity, power, vigour and much more. This apart he has been a consummate singer as well and regaled audiences with high-quality songs, the virtuosity of which is borne by the fact that they have been part of the collective cinematic consciousness of movie lovers for decades.
Bakshi made his acting debut with the 1981 film ‘Sazaye Maut’. He has been in the film industry i.e. Bollywood for more than four decades and has featured in more than a hundred films including Hindi, Punjabi and Bhojpuri. He started his playback singing career with the 1986 film Karma, and then went on to lend his voice for songs in many movies. He has over 350 songs to his credit till date.
People have heard them all and sung them all and danced to their tunes with gay abandon. And the list of these songs has been endless including the more popular ones such as Duniya Di Tha Tha Tha from the Ajay Devgn starrer Platform, Tunna Tunna from the Sanjay Dutt starrer Adharma and Jhule Jhule Lal from the Akshay Kumar starrer Jai Kishen.
PoK was created after Pakistan invaded the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir immediately after India’s Partition. Under an onslaught from Pakistani forces and tribal raiders, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military help from India after which the Indian Army halted the Pakistani forces from seizing the entire princely state.
Now, more than seven decades later, while Pakistan has slid into a financial and a humanitarian crisis, India is galloping ahead in its economic and scientific parameters and improving its military prowess. The Indian side of J&K too has progressed considerably in its human index indicators while PoK has remained bereft of economic progress with low human development.