Raj Shekhar: Who Wrote Nitish Kumar Election Song 'Bihar Me Bahaar Ho, Nitishe Kumar Ho' | News World India

After Mahagathbandhan’s victory in Bihar assembly polls, almost every newspaper in the state carried a headline on the theme of ‘Bihar Me Bahaar Ho, Nitishe Kumar Ho.’ During the election campaigning it was the theme song of Nitish Kumar’s campaign and the slogan ‘Bihar Me Bahaar Ho, Nitishe Kumar Ho’ projected on big hoardings all throughout the state, was its main battle-cry.

We caught up with Raj Shekhar, the man who penned these words. Raj Shekhar is known to cinema and music lovers for his soulful lyrics in films such as Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. He hails for Madhepura district in Bihar.

Speaking about the song ‘Fir Se Nitish’ Raj Shekhar says, ‘I was contacted by the team of Prashant Kishor to write this song. They wanted a song highlighting Nitish Kumar’s contribution to Bihar.’

Sneha Khanwalkar (Gangs Of Wasseypur, Sound Trippin’) has composed and Niti Mohan has lent her voice to the song.

‘I was excited about the song. Because I respect Nitish Kumar’s contribution to Bihar, I didn’t feel any conflict of interest about writing the song.’

Raj Shekhar wanted to give the song a true ‘Bihari’ feel. ‘I knew I was given the song because I was from Bihar. So, I wanted it to have a true Bihari feel.’

‘When most people think of Bihar, they think about Bhojpuri only. But I wanted the song to incorporate other languages and dialects like Maithili, Angika, Magahi etc also. ‘

Raj Shekhar, is known for films like Tanu Weds Manu, Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Talking about the ‘e’ in Nitishe Kumar, Raj Shekhar says, ‘It is commonly used in every language and dialect of Bihar to emphasise or put stress on any word. That’s the way people in Bihar talk when they feel strongly about something.’

He also wanted the song to sound positive. ‘Nitish Kumar and Prashant Kishor’s team wanted it to be a positive song. We didn’t want to attack or belittle any opponents. The idea was to have a song about the development and aspirations of Bihar.’

The song begins ‘Phir se ek baar ho, Bihar mein bahaar ho, Phir se ek baar ho, Nitishe Kumar ho..’ and goes on to talk about how Bihar is aspiring to become free of fear and petty politics.

Is the song a big reason for Nitish Kumar’s success? ‘I don’t know how much part the song played in his victory. There are many factors behind a election win.’ He says, ‘The main slogan of the campaign also came from the song. People are congratulating me for the song.’

‘I know the song was having an impact when BJP released a song attacking ours. I knew it was being noticed and talked about.’  He adds.

The debate about writers’ role in politics is a hot topic right now. ‘I don’t think writers and poets should be seen as apolitical people. They live in this society. They are not supposed to write just about love and nature. They can’t ignore what’s happening in the society.’

Talking about ‘Award Wapsi’, Raj Shekhar says, ‘Everyone has a right to protest. The returning of awards is just a form of protest, it’s non-violent.’

He adds, ‘Poets have always written on political issue. Baba Nagarjun, Dinkar wrote against the government of their times. There shouldn’t be a problem with that.’

You can listen to the song here…