In February 2021 Ulrike told me about a scholarship opportunity and asked me: “What is your dream, Asha?” I said: “I want to become a rapper!” And within a second the idea was born that I would apply with a rap song for the scholarship. The program in Switzerland is called Be that Girl and their slogan is #GirlsRoar. This made it easy to find a title and refrain for my rap!
I started writing a text about what I want to express in the rap. It was very difficult for me to do this in English. It was also impossible for me to write in rhymes. I was just not used to this. It’s even very difficult for me to do it in Hindi – but I am learning now. So I started and send it to Ulrike. Ulrike put it in first rhymes to make me understand better. And then she brought in her network and all together we made it. Rijul, whom I knew from the Jaipur Literature Festival, became my sparring partner for the rhymes. He has re-written the rhymes and adjusted it to the chords. A huge step was made and I loved the outcome. Then another friend, Subu (Subhadra Kamath) joined the team and she added the music. Even sound skateboarding sound is in there ….. the wheels are rolling 🙂
I don’t know the outcome of the scholarship yet, but the process itself – making my own first rap song – was pretty awesome. I loved every minute of it! And I learned a lot.
Currently I am working with Rijul on the Hindi version of the song, because I want the guys here in my area to understand what is bothering us, the girls!
For now I am very, very, very happy to present my FIRST RAP – I hope you like it!
words: Rijul Kataria | music: Subhadra Kamath
The story begins when I was a child
Born in Janwaar, into the wild,
As a girl, Adivasi, there was always a line
And If I stepped over, there would be a fine.
But my eyes saw the future and I could dream,
As I climb the hill and loudly scream,
That this is my time and I want to rise,
I will claim what’s mine, earn this prize.
I am that girl who wants to roar,
Up in the sky, as I soar,
The words are mine but I speak for you,
And without fear, I will say what’s true.
I went to school, but I wanted to play
I wanted to learn, but in my own way
So hard I worked, in everything I did,
I wanted to do, what I couldn’t as a kid.
This skatepark is my zone, I fly on four wheels,
I came on TV, newspapers, and film reels,
Flew to London, China, to show what I can do,
Representing India, me, and you.
I am that girl who wants to roar,
Up in the sky, as I soar,
The words are mine but I speak for you,
And without fear, I will say what’s true.
Today I feel proud, for what I have done,
But I also know I am not the only one,
My parents, neighbours, everyone around,
This is my Janwaar, my very own ground.
But you see me as a woman, and call my name
Harass, Embarrass, play this horrible game.
You see me rise, and pull me down,
But you are scared, hiding, and I will not frown.
I am that girl who wants to roar,
Up in the sky, as I soar,
The words are mine but I speak for you,
And without fear, I will say what’s true.
My family support me, they set me free,
I live my life and I don’t need to marry,
My terms are mine and so is my time,
I won’t wait to take what’s mine.
I thank all those who support me today,
For without their help I wouldn’t know my way,
My parents, my idols, and all my guides,
Thanks for the wings, for now I can glide.
I am that girl who wants to roar,
Up in the sky, as I soar,
The words are mine but I speak for you,
And without fear, I will say what’s true.
A long road ahead, but I have just begun
If I rest right now, there will be only one.
And all that work I did on myself,
Will be sitting there alone, by itself.
I want to rap, tell you my story,
And I don’t want fame, or name, or glory.
What I want to do is be a voice,
For all those girls who (don’t have a choice) *2
My voice alone will not win this fight,
We need to come together to win this, right?
I invite the boys to write their song,
Join me in this chorus and sing along…
I am that girl who wants to roar,
Up in the sky, as I soar,
The words are mine but I speak for you,
And without fear, I will say what’s true.