An animated music video created by indie music producer DJ Su Real is growing more and more popular by the day, and it’s not at all surprising. The song, titled ‘Soldiers’, features addictive vocals by Tanya Nambiar and General Zooz (of the Reggae Rajahs) – but that’s not why we love it so much.
Inspired by the Kiss of Love movement, it calls out moral policing of public displays of affection in India, declaring – loudly and emphatically – that in this country, people should be free to love and express that love.
The Kiss Of Love movement was kickstarted by youngsters in Kerala who were tired of rampant moral policing by fundamentalist groups who believe that public displays of affection is vulgar. In protest, a group of youngsters gathered in public places to hug and kiss – the very acts that aggravated the moral police.
In parallel, in the video, an army of love soldiers congregate on the dance floor, dancing to the bass-driven beat and making out too, as lyrics reinforce the visuals, “too much suppression leads to aggression/too much repression leads to expression/this is a public display of affection/Goa to Guwahati, love is the mission.”
Su Real comments, “If we get even a few more soldiers on the dance floor, feeling the good vibrations and spreading the love, well, at least I’ll be more optimistic… not just about my musical career, but the human race.”
‘Soldiers’, as a song, aids in the fight against enforcing rules against that which should be an individual choice, and not a matter of public discussion or debate. So, as the DJ says “we need to keep on kissing until societal change is effected, so pucker up!”- and dance along to join the revolution.
Watch the video, off Su Real’s latest album Twerkistan, here.
Featured images source: Soldiers
Written by Advaitaa Ravi
[…] Indeed, as most Indians can attest, it is rare to see a couple walking down a road holding hands, while kissing in public is out of the question. There have been many cases of moral policing of couples in public, but also, importantly, an increasing questioning of this, such as 'The Kiss Of Love' in Kerala. (Read our piece about the 'Kiss Of Love' movment and DJ Su Real’s ‘Soldiers’ music video). […]