Predicated on the assumption that “us radical critics” and “the people we think we’re defending” are mutually exclusive groups, and that your readers don’t simultaneously belong to both.

Let me start off by saying the Shava guys are all very intelligent, lovely people and furthermore, really great musicians. By no means is anything they do intended to be disrespectful as they have a true respect for the Indian Culture and Bhangra music (questioning this, however, is valid as there is no way to know this without having met and talked to the guys).

The band played here earlier this year, as part of the Vancouver International Bhangra celebration, to great reception by the Desi and non-Desi audiences alike. This leads to some explanation of “the king” in the above video, who is Gurcharan Mall from the UK or also known as G.Mall (the one with the corn rolled hair, chains and rings). G Mall is a very well respected Bhangra musician mostly known for playing Dhol (the big Barrel Drum) but also as a producer. He has been in the UK Bhangra band Apna Sangeet as a percussionist since its start in the early 80′s, started and leads his own group called the Dhol Blasters, been in the Guinness world book of records, raised significant amounts of money for various charities and much much more, so he really is a true UK Bhangra pioneer. see video, he is the one who is playing the dhol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT1Z2Q-rJ_4

Gurcharan met the Shava crew here in Vancouver during the festival, believed in what they are all about, and as a result has gotten behind them to support them and help spread Bhangra and Punjabi culture throughout the world, yes, even if that Punjabi culture is fused with elements of hip hop, and satirical humour. Note, he is not a member of the band.

My take: I think what is missing from some of the points mentioned in other posts thus far is that, although Bhangra may have started in Punjab it has evolved from the folk music and dance form that it once was into its own genre of music, and has done so with the help of groups of like Shava. What I mean is that if you break down the musical arrangement, structure and instrumentation used, this Finnish band definitely has a big bhangra influence in its music. Just like Reggae, Dub, or Rock, can be sung in any language, it is almost like we sometimes have to separate the music and the lyrics if one wants to determine where a song fits. And in this case Shava is doing a great job considering that even “‘true” modern Bhangra music has deviated from what one would call traditional lyrics. So is this Bhangra? who knows… who cares? Is that even the question? who knows…. I have probably digressed. Does real reggae have to be sung about Babylon and the “Man” keeping us down? I dunno, But all good questions. Maybe the Punjabi songs that are now sung about cars, girls, guns etc in the hip hop fashion is not Bhangra either, maybe it is just pop sung in Punjabi, thus making this some sort of Finnish music with Bhangra elements. In North America it would just be thrown in the big category of “World Music”.

As for the satirical content of the video, well yes, there is a spoof element to this, but I only know this because I know the band. As for why Punjabi’s don’t seem to be offended by this, I would say it is because Punjabi people are usually proud when someone is into their/our culture. Shava has successfully flattered us. I guess I could conclude my point by being on the side of not over analyzing what Shava or any band is doing… The ideal: all music falls under “world music” and one determines what is good or bad through personal tastes. You either like it or you don’t. Shava: I like it. keep on keepin’ on!

I find it interesting that a recurring theme on this thread (and I do it too) is the rigorous over-analysis of the whole historical-sociological context of a song, before deciding whether or not it’s okay to like. Perhaps simpler minds would just decide based on whether or not it sounded good. Which way is right?

The dancing doesn’t come off as stereotyped but as wannabe. As a non asian audience of bollywood films and music this form of asian music appropriates from western culture anything it fancies, but on its own terms so I think this video is in that tradition.

The two areas where one could find fault with this track and video are:
(1)The lead guy with dreads – is he blacked up or has someone given him bad make up for his complexion? If the former that could be offensive but I think innocently meant in this particular video.
(2)The lyrics which naturally I have no way of translating, however if the sample given by S is representative, I’m not sure they are all that terrible, it sounds like a similar vibe to the *I’m the greatest* type lyrics one gets in hiphop rather than white imperialism.

And this is a nitpick but as a proud Finn I really have to qualify; Finland is a part of Nordic countries but not a part of Scandinavia (at least as we see it). Scandinavia is Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

When they’re infusing self-important lyrics in style of hiphop with a form of music that’s a celebration of another group, I personally get a bit uncomfortable. Especially when it’s white people claiming ownership of a colonialized country’s culture form.

Of course, you could also interpret the lyrics as being against say, self-important Finnish hiphop groups, and not all bhangra that isn’t Suomibhangra. In that case, I wouldn’t get such a white privilege vibe off the whole thing.

I’m all for bhangra/Bollywood music club nights in Finland but I’m not huge on this group. Would rather listen to bhangra from Punjab or the UK where the scene is huge.