Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauds rapper Hanumankind for promoting 'traditional martial arts' globally with song 'Run It Up'

Narendra Modi praises Hanumankind

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Kerala-born rapper Sooraj Cherukat, better known as Hanumankind, for promoting India’s rich traditional culture to a global audience through his latest song, Run It Up.

Speaking during the 120th episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi expressed admiration for how Hanumankind is blending contemporary music with elements of Indian heritage.

“Our indigenous games are now becoming a part of popular culture. The new song of the renowned rapper Hanumankind, Run It Up, is becoming quite famous these days,” PM Modi remarked.

He highlighted the incorporation of traditional Indian martial arts in the song, stating, “Our traditional Martial Arts like Kalari-payattu, Gatka and Thang-Ta have been included in it. I congratulate Hanumankind that due to his efforts, people of the world are getting to know about our traditional martial arts.”

Run It Up, which has been topping the Official Asian Music Chart for three consecutive weeks, follows Hanumankind's breakout hit Big Dawgs. This track gained significant attention, even briefly surpassing Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us on Spotify’s Top 50.

The music video for Run It Up showcases India's diverse culture, weaving in elements of folk traditions and showcasing traditional martial arts, all of which have helped it resonate with a global audience.

Who is Hanumankind?

Hanumankind, the rapper, singer, and actor from Kerala, was born as Sooraj Cherukat in Malappuram in 1992. He embarked on his music career in 2019 with his first single, Daily Dose, and quickly gained recognition after performing at NH7 Weekender, a popular event held across various cities in India.

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His stage name, Hanumankind, is inspired by Lord Hanuman and the concept of mankind, reflecting his belief that the name represents the world around him. Sooraj’s childhood was shaped by living in multiple countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and Dubai, due to his father’s job in the oil industry. Eventually, he moved to the United States at the age of nine, where he later attended Houston Community College.