Vedan is a rap artist from Kerala. In Malayalam language, Vedam (വേടന്) means hunter, the aboriginal hill tribe. Deeply influenced by the political thinking of Marx, Ambedkar and Periyar, his rebellious rap songs talk about the anti-class and anti-caste grievances of the people living in the margins of the Indian society. His music is inspired by the late American rapper Tupac Shakur. He believes in using the power of words and rap music to convey his political message. The lyrics of his song ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ and video are shared here, it talks about the age-old caste-discrimination and the pains of the marginal people living in the Indian society.
Translation
Who the slave and who the lords of these irrigated fields? Who fenced them into thousand fragments? How many kinsfolk decimated? Spines stooping Heads hanging How long will you survive?
You are born of this soil, yet Looked upon with hatred Laboring beneath the sun your skin is burnt to blackness.
The hearth is not lit in your shack Your little girl sleeps half bellyfull
You laboured turning nights to day. Blood turned to sweat to dry. Changed countrysides to cities. Cottages to Hi-rises; Soil to Gold. Gold snatched away from you
Who demanded back that gold was struck down to the ground. Limps flailing and spitting blood. Who demanded justice Was thrown into dungeon losing his head.
The God to whom you pleaded For gold ,justice and harvested fields And a bright future, You didn’t get any of these. Yet, you did not wither For You were conceived in Fire Baptised in a Sea of Tears.
Yearned for a bit of land Land that never betrayed you. A foul play behind the scene. You knew…. Justice died long back.
Reference