Vedan's song included in Calicut University syllabus
The University of Calicut has included Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna idam, a Malayalam rap song by rapper and songwriter Hirandas Murali, aka Vedan, in the syllabus of the fourth-semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course.
A powerful commentary on global issues, the song has been included in Introduction to Comparative Literature, under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends).
Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna Idam is a rap song that reflects on global crises, from the Syrian war and Palestinian genocide to the death of Aylan Kurdi and the brutal murder of Asifa in Kashmir. The lyrics goes like Bhoomi njaan vaazhunnidam anudinam narakamaayi maarunnidam... (Earth is where I bide, which is closer to hell with each passing day...), highlighting the collective suffering of the people of the world.
It will be taught alongside Michael Jackson's They Don't Care about Us, which tackles racial injustice, as part of a comparative study of Malayalam and American rap cultures.
Vedan who came to the limelight with his debut music video Voice of the Voiceless in 2020, is widely known for his politically charged lyrics, often rooted in his identity as a Dalit man and reflecting the struggles of the marginalised.
'Today's culture is predominantly shaped by digital media, and it is important to incorporate these changes into the curriculum,' said M.B. Manoj, head of Malayalam and Kerala Studies department, University of Calicut.
Inclusion of songs
'Many tend to oppose the inclusion of songs in the Malayalam literature syllabus, but to ignore them is to resist cultural shifts. By including these works, we encourage students to critically engage with them rather than remain passive viewers,' he said, stressing the importance of adapting to the changing times.
The module also includes comparative study of Kathakali Padam (Kathakali song) Ajita Hare... Madhava by Muringur Shankaran Potti and its modern rendition Ajita Hare by Gouri Lakshmi, analysing how classical art forms have evolved in the current era.
Dr. Manoj said that the department had also included Malayalam film songs in its multidisciplinary course (MDC) Cinemayum Sahithyavum (Cinema and Literature), featuring tracks ranging from the classic Pennale Pennale... from Chemmeen to Nadin Nanmakane Ponmakane Muthayavane... from the 2024 film Aavesham.
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