Art is political, says Dakhni Rapper Pasha Bhai

Bengaluru

“I would not be able to introduce myself accurately because I feel I am still on the journey of discovering who I am”, said Pasha Bhai in an exclusive interview with News Trail. He added that he considers himself first and foremost a ‘Rapper’, as hip-hop and rap represent his strongest sense of identity, even though he has explored many fields and gathered a wide range of experiences.

Mohammed Affan Pasha, popularly known as ‘Pasha Bhai ’, is a multilingual rapper from Bengaluru, widely recognised for his work in ‘Dakhni rap’ and for his distinctive lyrical style. His discography includes the albums Bangalore Ka Potta (2022) and Ye Hai Baghawat (2020), along with several singles. Beyond music, he said he has been increasingly exploring fashion design and graphic design, experimenting with visual expression.

Dakhni before labels
“All of this came after I gained access to the infrastructure and opportunities to explore these fields”, he said, adding that he had previously worked in retail, a cosmetics shop, a cyber café, and as a labourer in a garment factory, and is now also an entrepreneur handling his ventures - ‘Wanandaf’, ‘Clan Bokka Phod ’, and ‘Dakhnistan Studios’. Pasha Bhai strongly believes that one must embrace being a product of their environment.

Recalling his childhood, he said, “I was curious about remaking popular songs in ‘Dakhni’ even before I knew that Dakhni had a name or an identity. I felt the songs became more personal when words from a language I knew were mixed in”, he added that this was how ‘Dakhni rap’ was born within him. As he grew older, he would take part in rap battles for fun through text messages and audio recordings, though at the time he was unsure whether he could pursue hip-hop as a career.

Power of hip-hop
At the recent NEET student protests in Bengaluru, Pasha Bhai and his rap collective ‘Wanandaf’ were seen at the forefront, using the power of hip-hop to express solidarity with the protesting students. Emphasising the connection between rap and social consciousness, he said, “You cannot be apolitical and be a rapper. You have to be political to be a rapper”.

His latest single, ‘WTF/AZAADI’, released through Dakhnistan Studios in collaboration with Syed Ahmed and produced by Saurya x Demixx Beats, features visuals of Bengaluru residents protesting in solidarity with demonstrators in Delhi who allegedly faced police brutality, alongside footage from the July 20 ‘Sansad March’ in Delhi. The song critically examines the social, economic, and political challenges confronting the country and reflects on the deeply rooted corruption that continues to affect people across society.

Rap and belonging
“Whether it is considered a dialect or a language in itself, it is something of its own”, said Pasha Bhai while speaking about Dakhni (Deccani), a linguistic blend of Persian and Deccan regional languages such as Kannada, Telugu and Marathi. He said he has witnessed a significant shift in how Dakhni speakers and the community perceive and assert their identity after years of confusion and vagueness surrounding the language.

“They may not remember me or even know me, but I am happy that they finally know the language”, he said, adding that Dakhni rap is currently thriving. Reflecting on the present generation of hip-hop and music listeners, he felt that there is often a lack of attention to detail. According to him, many listeners miss the smaller nuances embedded in songs, though artists continue to create art regardless.

“I keep listening to stories. I am curious about what a person’s story is, and while listening to these stories I am able to draw parallels”, he said, explaining that he writes and curates his songs in a way that allows people to both relate to them and think more deeply about the issues they raise. Pasha Bhai also spoke about the communal hatred and discrimination that, in his view, continue to affect marginalised communities and minorities, even in a metropolitan city like Bengaluru.

He pointed out that certain localities are often looked down upon because of the communities living there. “Let us stand on equal footing and rebuild the city we all want to live in. Get off your moral high ground”, he said, while also highlighting Bengaluru’s pressing civic and infrastructural problems.

Dance with the Devil
“We are going to have Season 3 of Ghalata-e-Dakhnistan in September, and we are looking forward to it”, he said. Pasha Bhai shared that he and Clan Bokka Phod will be organising the event, which will feature poetry, Dakhni ghazals, theatrical history, cyphers and several other performances.
He also revealed that he is currently working on a new album that will be released soon, carrying the theme ‘Dance with the Devil’.