Bant Singh is a singer and farmer from Punjab, India. His story is told in detail on the Wikipedia page about him. In short, his young daughter was raped, and he had the perpetrators prosecuted – the first time a Dalit (often refered to as the ‘untouchables’) had successfully prosecuted someone from a higher caste for rape.

In retaliation he was attacked, beaten and left for dead. His injuries were so bad that he lost both hands and one leg.

Now, watch the video – see if you can detect any bitterness from him. The evil against him just gives him fuel for more songs to inspire the poor. Unbelievable. Such a incredible guy. I heard about him through Vijay Nair, one of the most inspiring music industry thinkers I’ve met in a long time, and someone with the passion of an activist about the power of music to change the world.

Anyone want to attempt a comparison between this and the video to, say, Earth Song?

A proper nutcase, and quite a scary one at times. But also a musical genius. When teamed up with Quincey Jones, he made some of the greatest soul/funk/pop music of late 70s/80s. His music went on the slide at the same time as the madness around his personal life became stranger than fiction.

Here’s a video. What do you think: Genius or just a lunatic?