Mubashir Naik
When a middle class guy from a remote place in Bandipora would have told the people around him that he wants to become a rapper, imagine the hysteria he would have faced. And now when his success has become an inspiration the hysteric people are the admirers. The Kashmiriyat brings you an exclusive with this inspirational Rapper.
Mudasir Hasan Dar famously known as Baabarr, a social media sensation in Kashmir, belongs to a middle class family of Bandipora. Born in 1995, when the valley was in a state of unrest, he has been witness to bloodshed and destruction. “I wanted to tell the story of Kashmir to people but there was no means through which I could be heard. The conflict of Kashmir has been quite frustrating and like other people of my generation, has affected my mind. The blood, the killings, the injuries, the destruction has had a great impact on me” says Mudasir, a self-made music icon.
Mudasir completed his early education from a local school in Dachigam, his native place. “I did my higher secondary education with no plan for college. During my early school days, I got attracted to ‘Rap’ and slowly developed it into my voice. Since I couldn’t afford a proper music education I had to learn everything on my own. After leaving his studies in 2012, Mudasir focused on Rap completely. “I didn’t join any academy to learn music; I started downloading Rap from internet and started practicing at home. Maybe if i would have been born in some other place, I wouldn’t have taken to Rap. The circumstances and situation lured me towards this means of expression.”
On 11th Feb, 2018 he sang the lyrical words of Habba khatoon, his first ever recording.
Gah choon pewan gati
Ake lati yee ham na
Yamini mani kermiz pati
Kemu wane ragnay awukh
Ake lati yee ham Naa
Gah chon pewan Gati.
(Your memories light my darkness
Please come back once.
O, my youth, scarlet robe
Which shop coloured you)
“This was a massive hit, becoming viral in no time. The love people were showing me boosted my morale. I started looking for things to muse my lyrics” the Rap star told The Kashmiriyat.
“In my 24 years of age, I have seen a lot of pain. People protest on streets, young boys protesting with stones in hand against the army. This is what I grew up seeing”, says Mudasir “it shapes…your personality”.
On being asked whether his music is his protest, the 24 year old replied, “I don’t want to politicise my music but yes, my music is my resistance and protest against the atrocities which we have been facing for decades now”.
“It’s natural to get emotional when you see news of children, young men and even old being shot. It pains me from inside and I try to put all those feelings into a song”. Almost a month ago, I composed a Rap, in which I tried to bring out a clear picture of our Kashmir.
Kashir kati janat
Ya sa chu jhannum
Yati ketah mechi manz saye saye saye saye
Saye
Majin raave na yati ouladeh
(Kashmir is no heaven
It is a hell
Many died so young
Mothers lost their sons)
“People have responded warmly and are appreciating my work. It’s amazing to see people listening to my songs. People congratulate me through social media which is an achievement in itself”
This 24 year old is unable to think about the future of Kashmir. “Neither do we like violence nor do we support it, it has been imposed on us. I don’t want to see people dying at young age. I wish a peaceful life for people here”.
Mudasir has high hopes of success in his profession in future as well. “Before 5th August, I launched a song with the title “Beni Azzeth” which meant with an extraordinary success. It was written against the misogynist raps coming from Kashmir. Despite internet shutdown it got more than a million views.”
He, along with another person has opened a brand namely KashGraph, where they provide online classes for competitive exams, KashGraph Online Academy. There music videos are also being uploaded on KashGraph Youtube Channel, which is the first registered Music Brand in Kashmir at Patent Design and Trade Marks Government of India.
Saarni cheezan sanieth yeli nazar chus devaan
Seyaasath daan sersie naar chu devaan
Orderah pass te encounter chu karaan
Hore your wecheht bas insaan chu maran
( Pondering on things, when I look
Politicians burn everything
With an order, encounters start
A blink of eye and people die)
Besides expressing his views in Rap, he is organizing live shows and fundraising events. The first ever fundraising show by him was for cancer patients. Held in Nadeem Memorial boys Higher Secondary school Bandipora, the event was a success and he was able to raise a good amount for the cancer patients.
He has performed in many cities, from Bangalore and Pune to Delhi and Chandigarh, he has been received warmly. It was after these shows he felt a need to restart his education. “So I joined college in 2019 after a gap of 8 years”.
On being asked if he has any message for the young people of Kashmir he said, “Whatever career you choose to pursue, get a good education first, and don’t leave your studies unfinished.”
Halmeh manz majin shure chu nevaan
Dohe tarekha police naad chuk devaan
Tamis males maji kos chu sanan
Sanha zan be, maite pate chu laga
(Children are lost from the laps of mothers
Police calls them regularly
Who cares for the parents?
Even if I want to care, I cannot)
“I remember, i was on facebook, there was a girl, i sent friend request to, she did not accept it, because i was poor and not so charming, today i have thousands of fans, life can do miracles, if you chase your dreams.”