Tiwari on a song

The Garhwali song, titled 'Nauchami Narayana' (nauchami meaning a person who changes colours like a chameleon and Narayana refers to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna), written and sung by Uttarakhand folk singer Narender Singh Negi, compares Tiwari to Lord Krishna, who was loved by his female followers.

The song says Tiwari and his associates misused their power and spent public money for personal benefits.

'Popular mood'

"I wrote the song in 2005. During that time everyone in the state talked about the government misusing its power. People had also heard of the womanizing ways of Tiwariji. I penned the song to reflect the popular mood. But I did not know it would become a hit again four years after it was written," said Narender Singh Negi.
The song also talks about 'fake' NGOs in Dehradun which received grants from the Tiwari government.

Interestingly, the song says those who speak against Tiwari have to face dire consequences.

Negi alleged he received threats for penning the song. "ND Tiwari did not confront me directly but his men threatened to eliminate me. I received death threats from anonymous people. The song made me popular and I was invited to sing it all over the state. But Tiwari and his men flexed their muscles to bar me from events where I was supposed to perform," said Negi.

Back in demand

After the recent sex scandal, in which the 86-year-old leader was allegedly caught on video in a compromising position with three women, the song has become a rage in Uttarakhand. "We had stopped selling the album. Now, people are rushing to our store to buy the album. Unfortunately, we do not have fresh stock," said Arvind Negi, a music album shop owner in Dehradun.

Residents of Dehradun say the song had played a major role in dethroning Tiwari during the 2007 elections.

"The Tiwari sex tapes may have surprised the nation but for people of Uttarakhand, the escapades are common. During his regime, Tiwari was infamous for his womanising ways and the videos only prove the rumors," said Anil Jaggi, working with an NGO in Dehradun.





Video on YouTube

However, for those who want to listen to the song, it is available on YouTube as well. "The song is popular not only with those who reside in Uttarakhand, but even with those from the state who work and live in Delhi.

Those residing outside the state are listening to it on YouTube," said Madhuri, a resident of Dehradun, who works in Delhi. The song's video shows actors carrying red beacon lights on their heads symbolizing VIP personalities. The video features a Tiwari lookalike, DD Tiwari, as well. Interestingly, DD Tiwari is a resident of Delhi. "In the video of the song, a resident of Delhi had essayed the part of ND Tiwari," said Negi.

'Uttarakhand Murari hain nauchami Narayana
sona tolaya, taulaya Narayana
khaja bhukhna see
batim tin lal batiyo ka dola'
- says the song sung by Narender Singh Negi

The lines mean: 'Uttarakhand's Krishna (referring to ND Tiwari) distributed gold as if it was a common lentil. He distributed beacon lights on cars (referring to government posts and ministerial berths) to anybody who came to him.'

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