In 2022, amid fierce protests and a national debate over the hijab, Saniya Mistri Qaiyummuddin took the stage of Hunarbaaz and let her talent do the talking. Dressed in a pink salwar kameez and a hijab, her powerful rap performance not only won over the crowd – it brought Karan Johar, Parineeti Chopra and Mithun Chakraborty to their feet for a standing ovation.
In a digital age driven by unsolicited opinions, the lines of basic respect are blurring. Case in point: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Casually tugging at a woman’s hijab at a public event and then meeting the resulting firestorm with deafening silence instead of an apology.
In this atmosphere, when representation matters and events or incidents are ruthlessly scrutinized on the Internet, Saniya Mistri Qaiyummuddin has emerged as a compelling voice in indian hip hopchallenging stereotypes and creating a niche for herself on her own terms, covering important topics through her raps, with her hijab in place.
In an interview with SCREEN, the 19-year-old rapper and poet reflected on her recent track Ladki Jeet Gayi and highlights the difficulties that rising artists face in the industry. Dissecting the line of the song”,Jinka Laalchi Tareeka, Business Bana Dete Ka artist“Said Saniya, “There are a lot of people willing to take advantage of up-and-coming artists. An artist earns 100 rupees and sometimes 4-5 people earn 10, 20 and 30 rupees each. “Their greed turns the artist’s passion into a business.”
Much of the media coverage surrounding Saniya focuses on her decision to rap while wearing a hijab. But she emphasizes that her art is more than her identity. “I want people to see me as an artist, an activist, a social worker, whatever resonates with them. I never started my art thinking I would become a Muslim rapper. I started because I want everyone to see what I do and what I stand for.”
Challenging narrow narratives about Muslim women, she said: “People often judge Muslim women based on rumors or stereotypes. Some women choose to follow their religion, others don’t. But it’s not fair to generalize that Muslim women are oppressed. Everyone has their own story.”
While she has faced glares and occasional skepticism from audiences unfamiliar with hijab-wearing artists, she emphasized that her fellow hip-hop artists have always accepted her. “The hip-hop community has never judged me differently. Sometimes the public comments are negative, sometimes positive, but among the artists I have felt supported.”
However, the hijab debate has intersected with Saniya’s personal and educational life. She remembers how her college in Chembur banned the hijab, forcing her to drop out after the first year. “It was strange. They didn’t want girls to wear hijabs, but everyone was subject to other dress rules,” she shared.
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Professionally, however, he feels that the controversy has not hindered his art. “An artist can come from any community or background. Art is for everyone. It should not be labeled by religion, caste or place.” Despite the social and political undertones of her work, she does not see her music as overtly political.
“I represent myself in my art as I live. I want people to normalize seeing a hijab on a rapper without it being a big deal.”
Born in Govandi, BombaySaniya reflected on the disciplined life she had growing up. “From home to school and from school to home,” he said, adding, “I never dropped out of school. Most of the time I didn’t have friends; I used to write in journals. When my family found out I was starting to write rap, they were very supportive. They were like, ‘Yeah, it’ll work. Do whatever you want if you think it’s right for you.'”
Saniya credited his consistency for his growth as an artist, saying, “To be seen in the hip-hop industry, you have to keep creating without worrying about failing. Whenever I feel like I should do something, I do it.”