Bhojpuri Holi albums on sale at a shop in Patna. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, March 14: Bhojpuri songs are back with a bang. Meanings or no meaning, the songs are selling like hot cakes in the run-up to the festival of colours, much to the discomfort of many.

Most of the songs carry dual meanings to the ears of the common man, many of whom are terming them as “an embarrassment”.

Bhojpuri songs are always in demand during Holi, but this time the names of the songs seem to have crossed a few barriers of decency.

The titles of songs include Mazedar Holi, Hi-fi Holi, Choli mein rang daalam, Laden ghusalbaa lahangvaa mein, Bada jaalidaar ba tohar kurti and the list goes on. But the one that seems to have embarrassed the residents to no end is Rang dalaam jeans khol ke. While they are a cause of major embarrassment for some, the cassettes have found appreciation with those seeking thrills at ease.

The shopkeepers, however, are not complaining. In fact, they too are thrilled. A shopkeeper in Bankarganj, Atul Kumar, told The Telegraph: “I have recently sold more than 400 cassettes of Mazedar Holi alone. We are having a bumper sale of Holi albums. The Bhojpuri CDs are selling the most. People prefer the ones with dual meaning lyrics.”

Asked if he thinks it was fair to sell such songs, Atul said: “I feel there is nothing wrong with the songs as Holi is a festival of fun. The albums are very popular among all classes of people and they are fairly affordable compared to other cassettes and CDs. For instance, Rang daalam jeans khol ke, in both cassettes and CD formats, costs just Rs 40.”

Brijmohan Singh, a resident of Boring Road, said: “This is not a Holi tradition. Celebrations should be healthy. The albums are an embarrassment. What is the use of such useless albums? Their sale should be banned. Why should one have to be embarrassed while walking out on the roads?”

Many people expressed concern over the dampening Bhojpuri culture. A senior folk singer said: “Such songs are causing the youths to misconceive these songs as the traditional Bhojpuri culture. Bhojpuri is known for loud songs and eroticism to a certain limit.” Not all, however, think the same way. Ravindra Singh, a resident of Rajendra Nagar, said: “Vulgarity is in the minds of people and they are free to think of them whatever way they like.”