Daily Recco, May 28: Swadesi's Chetavni to the complacent society

The times are difficult. True, the pandemic has ruled our lives since 2020. However, we cannot simply wish away the grim realities and social injustice that plague our society and world. From the degradation of the environment, societal oppression of the marginalised, to profiteering from the wars, the hypocritical world needs to be shaken up.

And the revolution has come in the form of music through the album Chetavni — the debut album by the band Swadesi, released in February 2020.

Before we delve into the album, let us first tell you about the band. They identify themselves as a group of socially conscious rappers, writers, music producer and performers, who consciously aim to bring about change through art and music. Take, for instance, their single number (not from Chetavni) The Warli Revolt. It speaks about the plight of the Warli tribe and their fight against uprooting the Aarey Forest in Mumbai.

Swadesi's debut album goes on to establish just how serious they are about their identity and cause. Chetavni, translating to ‘The Warning’ is just that — a roaring warning to those at the helm of power — politically and socially. From laying bare the current state of affairs, to questioning the concept of war and exposing the war-profiteering, to uncovering the classical hypocrisy of standing up for LGBTQ rights while ostracising the eunuchs on the streets, the album calls the societal bulls**t the way it needs to be. It is a signal of revolt in every sense. And the fact that they chose to protest through their poetry, rap and music makes it all the more powerful than any other means. 

This nine-track album also stands out because it blends their voice of dissent with poetry gilded in hip-hop of catchy folk-fusion beats. An appealing proposition to all strata of society, breaking the barriers of age, gender, social or economic class. An album that you can listen to and enjoy with almost anyone. In the self-indulgent world of ‘mainstream’ music that has inundated the ecosystem, it is time for a refreshing respite. Swadesi has brought just that with Chetavni.

To break the hedonistic rot that begins right at the top, the real revolution always has to begin at the grassroots and move upwards. Chetavni is that brilliant confluence of music, words and ethos. There could be no better way to shake up that lethargic and complacent soul and bring back that spark within, this weekend

Also read: Viva, the revolution in Indian pop