Bambai Main Ka Ba, a foot-tapping rap number in Bhojpuri, sung and acted by Manoj Bajpayee reflects the pain and conflict of migrant workers has been viewed by more than 3.33 million in just three days on YouTube.
The poem composed by Dr Sagar has already bowled over many. It has a special connection to Assam as well. The music of the song is done by none other than Anurag Saikia.
Anurag, a national-award winning musician, is glad to be a part of the project which is directed by Anubhav Sinha.
“I’m very lucky he (Anubhav Sinha) made me part of this. An Assamese guy working in a Bhujpuri song…I am grateful to everyone,” Anurag said.
He added: “When I compose a song, I go with the tune first and the language comes later after the lyrics. It was a great experience as Bhojpuri has its own rhythm and own colour which is very sweet. We learn new things whenever we work with a new language which is very interesting”.
The 6.21-minute video highlights a meaningful take on one of the most popular metropolitan and busiest cities, Mumbai. The song chronicles the plight of migrants amid the lockdown. Fearing starvation in cities and with no transport options available, thousands of workers—men, women and children—braved hunger, police lathis and the blazing sun to walk the long distance to their villages.
Speaking more on the song Anurag said: “The message is quite clear if you read the lyrics. If you listen to the song two-three times you will get a new perspective every time, we believe people leave home and got to outside mainly for two reasons—some people go by choice and some people have to go for their compulsion”.
Manoj Bajpayee, one of the most critically acclaim actors of the country, said that he was completely bowled over by the lyrics of Dr Sagar. Bajpayee has given credit to the poet.
“After so many years, a poem has completely shaken me…Dr Sagar’s thoughts, his words and everything. It’s his success that I have come to this extent of singing,” Bajpayee said.
