Ravi Kishan defends Bhojpuri language; says, “People have this notion that only songs like Kamariya and Lollipop Lagelu, is Bhojpuri”

Ravi Kishan is brought up with how Bhojpuri is portrayed in popular culture. He has introduced a private member's Bill in the Lok Sabha to place Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Speaking with Hindustan Times, he explains that the identity of the language is more than just the songs we have heard all these years, he said, “My mother tongue is spoken or understood by 25 crore people in India. It's the second most spoken language in Mauritius. People have this notion that only songs like Kamariya and Lollipop Lagelu, is Bhojpuri. It has it's own literature. Our late President of India, Rajendra Prasad ji had a connection with the first Bhojpuri film made, Ganga Maiyaa Tohri Piyari Chadhaibo (1963).”

The 55-year-old, who has been a prominent figure in the Bhojpuri film industry, said, “Because of few money minded people making those kind of films or the songs, we can’t say that’s all Bhojpuri is all about. Voh nahi hai jo dikhai de raha hai, it’s not just that. Bhaasha mein ek mithaas hai, and to bring that forward was my intention as a Lok Sabha member. The lingo is loved by so many. I have been known because of Bhojpuri cinema. I am now working in many languages but people still remember ‘achha Ravi Kishan Bhojpuri wala’ Laapata Ladies, Maamla Legal Hai they have all happened now, par shuruaat Bhojpuri se hui thi.”

Kishan has received a good response from his fraternity and the film industry since the news broke, “Everybody has just been congratulating me. People now know I went for the right reasons to the Parliament. I am a man with a mission.”

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