Ali Gul Pir’s new track attacks Pakistan’s patriarchal system

Collaborating with the local rapper Eva B, the comedian Ali Gul Pir released a music video for Women’s day.

In Pakistan, March 8 is directly associated with the infamous #MeraJismMeriMarzi slogan and with a completely wrong interpretation. This slogan shook minds that many people were unable to process that women deserve bodily autonomy.

The slogan has been twisted and stripped of its original meaning and is used by detractors who argue that the Aurat March promotes vulgarity and obscenity.

In an effort to remind everyone about the true meaning of the slogan, Gul Pir released a new song, Tera Jism, Meri Marzi, where he highlights the harassment women face every day. The music video shows a wife being beaten by her husband and then fighting back.

The lyrics of Tera Jism, Meri Marzi covers several types of harassment and injustice faced by women, from domestic violence to street harassment and groping. While some may comment that the lyrics are crass, Gul Pir is just speaking the truth. Those offended by the lyrics should be more offended that women have to experience this.

But most importantly, it features Eva B, a young, niqabi rapper from Lyari. Her lyrics mirror Gul Pir’s rap and feel like a reply to the crassness. Bold and sharp, Eva B takes pride in the choices women make; whether it is wearing a hijab, completing their education, or fulfilling their obligations.

The rap also states that daughters along with sons are not safe from incidents of rape and injustices. Ultimately, the song seeks to empower women by demanding they speak, opposing a common refrain in the song: “Chup aurat achi, bolnay wali gandi [A quiet woman is a good one, the one who speaks up is bad]”.

Gul Pir is no stranger to speaking up about gender-based violence and has called for a conversation on the topic through one of his favorite mediums — a comedy sketch.

Tera Jism, Meri Marzi has received interesting reactions, with many people catching on to the message and applauding Gul Pir for it.

However, the video has also been criticized by people who thought that the singer is trying to paint the wrong colors.