After Bob Dylan was awarded the Noble Prize recently, a global debate has been sparked on whether songs can be considered literature. But did you know that for some time now one of his songs, "blowing in the wind", has been taught in a university in India?

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[Photo Credit] "Passion is a young man's game, older people gotta be wise"

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Yes the song is part of the syllabus for a MA degree!

The Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university in New Delhi has been teaching Dylan's iconic song, "Blowing in the wind", in its Masters in Literature classes since the year 2011 as one of their poetry papers! As per statistics available with the department, around 40 students are enrolled in this class at present, and the numbers have been steady over the years. In addition a teacher was once quoted in a news article saying that the students respond very well to the paper, and there is a lot of interest in it.

It is rather Interesting that literature, as defined earlier, completely ignored popular cultures and it is refreshing that universities are opening up to writings which has managed to capture the imagination of a whole generation, like Dylan's did. It can be said that among Dylan's songs, "blowing in the wind" is like an anthem for a generation which was coming to grips with a new way of thinking in the 60's and the 70's. Even today you will hear people of a certain age start singing, or humming, when ever they are confronted with this song, or any of his others.

So If you want to study for a MA in Literature, where Dylan's song is part of the syllabus, you know which university to join!

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[Photo Credit] The Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi

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But why this particular song?

I cannot answer that question but I put below the lyrics of the song (or poem) for you to evaluate. But I shall also quote from a professor with the department of English, Mukesh Ranjan, who said

In his lyrics, Dylan has been articulate about the unrealised expectations of mankind.

Blowin' In The Wind - Lyrics

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man ?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand ?
Yes, how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea ?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free ?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky ?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry ?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

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[Photo: Google Images]

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