You must’ve come across the phrase Pen Di Siri lately, if you’re a social being in Pakistan. The phrase has become a rather viral meme with everyone sharing their take on the hilarious joke. While many attribute Khadim Hussain Rizvi for the phrase’s popularity, the phrase was actually used by another religious figure in a speech that was unrelated to the infamous Faizabad dharna.
Ever since the Faizabad dharna, though, the phrase Pen Di Siri has become a popular meme
#PenDiSiri pic.twitter.com/itG7bhCFNo
— ZUBAIR MALIK (@iZo0bi) November 28, 2017
As part of his contribution to the meme, Pakistani singer Ali Aftab Saeed, released his song “Pen Di Siri”
.@aliaftabsaeed's latest makes me feel better about everything. #PenDiSiri
Link to full video here: https://t.co/8sjKFrsVem?amp=1 pic.twitter.com/FugIOgICys
— bilal tanweer (@bilaltanweer) December 4, 2017
And people all over social media are falling in absolute love with it
Superlative ?
— Neel Chaudhri (@NeelumChaudhri) December 5, 2017
???? Loved it..!! Do you write the lines as well..?? You have your unique way of delivering the message..!! Keep up the good work..!! Will see you when i visit Lhr..!! All the best..!!
— Arslan Ejaz Sadiq (@ArslanEjaz39) December 5, 2017
The song has catchy lyrics that people are already humming
o ker dia kamaal teri pen di siri. chhhaaa gaye
— Hasan Nusrat (@HasanNusrat1) December 5, 2017
With people even pointing out how the phrase has received an “artistic” update thanks to the song
Great, enjoyed it, don't stop please keep going…aur pen di siri ka itna artistic istemal shaed koi na kr skta ?? thumbs up
— Awaz-E-Dost… (@absarsherazi) December 4, 2017
The singer, Ali Aftab Saeed, founded the band Beygairat Brigade who had a famous hit song “Aalu Anday“
The band was formed in 2011 with Ali as the lead vocalist of the band.
While everyone else is celebrating the phrase, this woke AF person just pointed out her very valid opinion on the sexist origins of this phrase
Why do people (mostly men) have an issue when a woman voices her concerns while #PenDiSiri statements go under the carpet. Selective moral outrage? I hate it. https://t.co/Lq8AOJZDDg
— Snober Abbasi (@snobers) November 30, 2017
Interestingly, it’s not just phrases like “Pen Di Siri”, our culture has a habit of abuse or gaaliyaan being centered around women.
While this could be the fact that we, as a culture, think of women as the izzat, or property, of their men that need to be protected and any abuse hurled at the izzat is taken very seriously. Or gaaliyaan being gendered could just be due to the fact that we are just a sexist bunch of pigs.
Either way, this is a good video to check out:
Cover image via: Ali Aftab Saeed / YouTube