Lifestyle / Yash Raj Films Launches India’s First Transgender Music Band

Yash Raj Films Launches India’s First Transgender Music Band

Lifestyle Jan 08, 2016

by Daniel Pillai

Yash Raj Films' digital platform, Y Films, makes history as it launches India's first transgender music band which celebrates the pride and joy of the trans community in India with their debut song.

It's long been argued that as much as there are many ill-fated laws and incidents that plague Indian society, it is slowly but surely growing closer toward becoming a more progressive culture and country for the LGBTQ community.

The criminalization, de-criminalization and once again criminalization tug of war surrounding the LGBTQ community is a direct result of Section 377 in the Indian Penal Code which has created much debate and discussion including political and cultural tension over the years. But it's often the artistic platforms of the country that give a voice to the unheard communities when laws and society choose not to acknowledge them. Yash Raj Films (YRF) is one such production company.

Through their online digital platform driven at the youth of India, called Y Films, YRF has started curating content that target and attract the millennial audiences. Their recent YouTube TV series called Bang Baaja Baarat and Man's World are great examples of cutting-edge and controvesial content perfectly tailored for millennial viewers.

Now, they continue to make history and have launched India's first transgender music band called 6 Pack Band and this music group shows only promise.

^{6 Pack Band

Photo Credit: Yash Raj Films/Y Films}

The band's debut song "Hum Hain Happy" was released on January 6 via a music video and went viral almost immediately garnering over 1.1 million views in less than two days. The song is a cover of Pharrell Williams' Grammy-winning track called "Happy." The cover by 6 Pack Band aims to show the unwavering sprit of the trans community in India and their ability to face adversity with a smile.

Just like the name of the band suggests, the group consists of six transgender singers who swing to desi beats, but also provide some western flair. The song consists of the traditional english lyrics which made Williams' original track famous, but this desi version has been fused with Hindi lyrics as well, appealing to the Indian community.

^{6 Pack Band and Sonu Nigam at "Hum Hain Happy" song launch in India.

Photo Credit: Yash Raj Films/Y Films}

Iconic Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam was on hand to launch the song along with 6 Pack Band at its launch event held in Mumbai. But while the singer was proud to lend his support, he did more than just attend an event, he also makes an appearance at the end of the music video and lends his melodious vocals in support too.

While "Hum Hain Happy" is all happy go-lucky, there are a few serious moments throughout the video as well that highlight the struggles and inacceptance of the trans community in India. While we won't reveal all, the most impactful is the beginning voice over, voiced by Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

“In India, the hijras are a community almost in exile. Standing out at traffic signals after failing to blend in. Knocking on our windows in the hope for some kindness and perhaps a smile" says Sharma in the music video's introduction. And it's within this context that the happiness of the trans community is portrayed. Quite poignant and powerful I say!

^{Main Image Photo Credit: Still from "Hum Hain Happy" music video – Yash Raj Films/Y Films}

Watch the "Hum Hain Happy" music video below:

Daniel Pillai

Author

Daniel is the Digital Media Manager for ANOKHI MEDIA and the host for ANOKHI's entertainment channel, PULSE TV. As part of the dream team, Daniel manages all multiple channels under ANOKHI’s portfolio, while also training new on-air talent, and showing budding p...

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