Suneeta Rao Says Her 1991 Song ‘Pakke Irade’ Resonates With Youth Protests
MUMBAI — Indian singer Suneeta Rao has expressed solidarity with young protesters, saying her 1991 song “Pakke Irade” continues to reflect the frustrations and determination of today’s youth amid ongoing Gen Z protests.
In an Instagram post Wednesday, Rao shared a video montage featuring images from the protests and highlighted the relevance of the song, which appeared on her 1991 album “Dhuan.”
The singer criticized what she described as the suppression of dissent and mistreatment of young demonstrators, declaring that “enough is enough.”
“PAKKE IRADE! This song released on my album ‘DHUAN’ in 1991 echoes the sentiments of the youth today. With everything that’s happening in the country- dissent being disallowed instead of being heard and protected- voices being stifled- children being brutalised- listen to the lyrics of this song released so long ago which are so relevant even today,” Rao wrote.
She also quoted a line from the song, “Pathar ke hain vaade pakke irade toote na!” emphasizing its message of determination and resilience.
“Enough is enough. Shame on the powers that be and more power to our spirited and determined youth. I am with you!” she added.
Rao’s comments reflect her support for young people raising concerns through public demonstrations and her belief that the themes explored in her music more than three decades ago remain relevant.
The singer began her musical career in 1989 with “Suneeta Senorita” before gaining widespread recognition with her hit song “Paree Hoon Main.”
Her 1991 Hindi pop album “Dhuan,” released through Gramophone Company India, featured music composed by Lesle Lewis and sold more than 75,000 copies.
The popularity of “Paree Hoon Main” and its music video helped establish Rao as a prominent figure in India’s independent pop music scene, earning her the nickname “Paree of the Masses.”
She later collaborated with composer A. R. Rahman on “Adi Paru Mangatha” from the 1994 Tamil film “May Madham.”
Rao also released music videos for “Dehka Dehka” and “Kesariya,” which further strengthened her popularity.
Her subsequent work included the single “Chhoti Chhoti Baatein,” released as part of the Magnasound album “A Reason To Smile” to commemorate 50 years of India’s independence. She also contributed to the collaborative track “Wajah Muskurane Ki” from the same album.
With her latest social media post, Rao has drawn a connection between the socially conscious themes of her earlier music and the concerns being voiced by a new generation of protesters. (Source: IANS)
