Singer Shreya Ghoshal recently spoke about how uncomfortable she was when young girls sang her suggestive songs. Referring to “Chikni Chameli” as an instance of lyrics being misinterpreted by children, she spoke in an interview with Canadian YouTuber Lilly Singh.
Ghoshal explained that she gets embarrassed when girls from the age of five or six sing such numbers without understanding the meaning behind them. “I have a few songs which may be borderline raunchy, like ‘Chikni Chameli.’ There is a very thin line between being sensuous, sexy, or being out there, making yourself objectified, or women in general,” she said.
She said that although these songs are intended to be fun, watching little children sing them makes her feel embarrassed. “They come and go, ‘Can I sing this in front of you?’ Then I feel really embarrassed that a little girl is singing those words. It doesn’t fit, it doesn’t sound right, I don’t want that,” she said.
Ghoshal stressed the need for improved writing in such tracks, stating that she likes lyrics to be respectable while they hail womanhood. “It is not incorrect to be celebrating, cheerfully speaking about how sexy I am or how sensuous I am, but don’t pen it in such a manner. Perhaps if a woman would have been penning it, she might have written it in a very gracious way,” she said.
She also saw that music and film have a tremendous cultural impact in India and therefore must set a certain standard. Item songs from Hindi cinema have been under attack for objectifying women for ages, and “Chikni Chameli” is one of them where the lyrics are based on an open expression of boldness of the woman about her sexuality.
Over the years, several Bollywood item songs have sparked debate on their impact on societal perceptions of women. Many critics argue that these songs reinforce stereotypes and promote a culture where women are viewed as mere objects of desire. While some defend item songs as a form of artistic expression, others insist that a more nuanced approach to songwriting is necessary.
Ghoshal went on to explain that the responsibility of ensuring proper content does not lie with singers alone but also with lyricists, composers, and filmmakers. “Music and cinema influence our minds and culture. We need to be more careful about the type of messages we are sending out, particularly for the young audience,” she explained. She ended by emphasizing the importance of responsible songwriting so that music will still be a force for good on listeners, particularly young ones. “There is a way to celebrate femininity and confidence without reducing it to something crass. Good writing makes all the difference,” she asserted.
Edited By- Anusmriti Gauguly
