The game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories plays several desi songs on the in-game radio station Radio del Mundo (thanks, Pradeep). Hippie anthem ‘Dum Maro Dum’ is used in the following game ad:

The playlist includes two tracks in Hindi, one in Kannada (thanks, Sheila), one in Hebrew and four in Arabic (?):

Ananda Shankar - “Raghupati” (listen to instrumental remix)
Asha Bhosle - “Dum Maro Dum”
Vijaya Anand - “Neeve Nanna (Only You Were Mine)”
Natacha Atlas - “Kidda”
Farid Al Attrach - “Hebeena Hebeena”
Ahmed Mneimneh - “Aini Bet Ref”
Ofra Haza - “Im Nin’Alu”
Samira Tawfic - “Ballaa Tsoubou Hul Kahwa” [Link]

The lyrics aren’t themed to the game. ‘Dum Maro Dum’ has a line ‘mit jaye gham’ (let the pain be erased), but it’s about getting high, not getting killed (thanks, Kaushik). Then there’s the inclusion of a Hindu hymn:

… ‘Raghupati’ is an old Hindu prayer chant, made unique by the [dance] atmosphere of the Moog synth. [Link]

It can get funny when you hear [the ‘Raghupati’] song while driving around insanely… [Link]

The monologue between songs are tired old stereotypes, no doubt in the Apu accent:

… Hosted by Panjit Gavaskar (voiced by Hajaz Akram), this station is usually played when the player steals a taxi, which is usually seen driven by a Sikh taxi driver… commentary by Panjit [includes], “Your wife is sacred because she is the cow, and oh how you milk her,” [and] “I feel so fertile now, I want to bang a statue!” [Link]

But aside from the stupid DJ jokes, it’s pretty cool to be able to listen to something other than gangsta rap, electronica or thrash metal while killing pixelated hookers. Asian Dub Foundation’s ‘Flyover‘ scores Burnout Revenge, and Project Gotham Racing 3 includes the following bhangra tracks (listen here):

“Putt Jattaan Daa” by Jasbir Jassi
“Lak Noo Hala De” by Achanak
“Akh Mastani” by Tigerstyle
“Bol Breaker” by Dhamaal SF
“Hauli Hauli” by Bikram Singh
“Maar Sutia” by Achanak
“Frankies Next Move” by Echotwist
“One Step Beyond” by Karsh Kale
“Bhanga Fever (Heavy Nitro Remix)” by MIDIval PunditZ
“Kesariya” by MIDIval PunditZ
“Boliyan” by Tigerstyle
“Maan Doabe Da” by Tigerstyle [Link]

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