It is said public service is a calling that comes from within and people choose different roads and adopt different means to do it. An officer from Datwewada in Chhattisgarh, Sourabh Kashyap, has taken to rapping to help people. How? Read his story to know how a young boy from a political family also decided to serve the public, but in an unconventional way.  Indian Masterminds makes an effort to trace back his journey from a government officer to a popular rapper.

GROWING UP

Sourabh is an inspiration to many in a place like Dantewada where Naxalism and its repercussions have been affecting the lives of people for a long time now. Growing up, he always wanted to do something for the people of Dantewada, his home district. From a very young age, he was exposed to public life as his family had political background. Attending public gatherings, accompanying his father to various public places, and celebrating birthdays at orphanages and old-age homes, were common affairs for him. However, all these routine things left impressions on his young mind, and he started feeling good helping people.

After completing his engineering from Shankaracharya College in Bhilai in 2015, Sourabh was sure that he wanted to venture into public service. In an interaction with media, he had said, “I always wanted to interact with the common people, listen to their needs, and work for them.”

PASSION FOR MUSIC

Sourabh not only chose the path of public service but also tried other ways to reach out to the masses in Chhattisgarh. He entered government service and is a tehsildar in the revenue department. As an officer, he started helping out people sort out any work related to his department. However, he soon found another way to connect with them more easily. Being a creative person, he had great interests in videography and writing poems and songs. He tried delivering his social messages through vlogging but couldn’t tap the right audience. However, through the internet, he found various other avenues where he could showcase his art and reach maximum people.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMgJZ8n7m3/

During 2011-2012, he got into hip-hop music and started writing songs of this genre. He said, “Rapping helped me channelize the rage into something productive and purposeful.”

As he started producing music, people started recognizing him and taking more interest in him. And the result was the demand for his music grew. He is now working on multiple music projects in collaboration with local talents.

PLANNING BIG

Kashyap plans to give a platform to local artists as he feels that if they come together, they can change the fortune of Dantewada.

“There is plenty of indigenous talent in Dantewada, but no one has ever heard about it because we could never do away with the image of the red corridor. Their chances of ever getting a platform and getting some recognition for their talents are bleak,” he said. However, he added that though it is difficult, it is not impossible.

He now wants to work actively to bring his district on the music industry map. Taking cues from talent clubs and local hubs of artists in the metropolitan cities, he has envisioned a plan to bring local talents together and work with them closely to hone their skills. The idea is to make good music that transcends the local boundaries and reaches a wider audience.