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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to South Africa for the G20 Leaders Summit. On reaching there, PM Modi was welcomed with traditional music and dance. In this sequence, he also met Indian immigrants, including indentured labourers. Let us know what is the history of indentured labourers? What is the pain of separation expressed through songs?
The Girmitiya song that won PM Modi’s heart, know its meaning.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to South Africa for the G20 Leaders Summit. On reaching there, PM Modi was welcomed with traditional music and dance. In this sequence, he also met Indian immigrants, including indentured labourers. On reaching there, South African indentured song ‘Ganga Maiya’ was performed in front of him. The Prime Minister listened to the song with great interest and praised the performance, adding that it was a very happy and emotional experience. PM Modi shared the video on Instagram, in which he can be seen enjoying the cultural tribute. While sharing the pictures, he wrote- ‘I am overwhelmed by the welcome of the Indian community in Johannesburg. Now the question is what does indentured labor mean? What is the story behind the song Girmitiya? What is the history of Girmiya? Let us know here-
Pain of loved ones in indentured folk music
The pain of separation from loved ones, exploitation and distance from family is hidden in Girmitiya songs. This folk music is reminiscent of the tragedies of that time, when millions of Indians went abroad as indentured laborers to escape poverty. Today, through his singing, he says that our ancestors were taken away as indentured servants through deceit. Its first ship opened from Kolkata. Indians were loaded on the ship like luggage. This sound of separation and pain emerged through folk music.
It was a very pleasant experience for me to see the performance of the South African indentured song ‘Ganga Maiya’ in Johannesburg. Another special thing about this performance was that the song was sung in Tamil! There is unwavering courage in this song and people came here many years ago. pic.twitter.com/NL8n2XUS2a
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