Individual Music Scene in India

After much thought, I forced myself yet again to write. A big fan of all kinds of music (I know its blasphemous to say this, considering I may not have heard all kinds of music but yeah.. try me), I couldn't help notice the lack of good music in India.
I am not completely against Bollywood or "Filmy Music". Seriously, if you thought A.R Rehman is awesome in Rockstar, suck at this... go listen to some of his older compositions in some Tamil movies. They are way better and more melodious. Better harmony, more music and sweeter voices. In fact, there are so many other Tamil music directors who I feel are equally talented. Harris Jayaraj, Illairaja (for those who have a ear for music would see through the choice) and many others. It's not that Bollywood doesn't have such people. Vishal-Shekhar, HR, Salim-Suleiman... what duos do in Bollywood, individuals achieve in the tamil movies!!!!
But that's beside the point. Where have all the "artists" gone. Did Nikhil Chinappa go out of job when no more albums were being churned out, and he having to play the same old songs over and over again on MTV Select? While my eyes and ears scout the channels in search of good music, I invariably stop at VH1 to satisfy me. MTV is playing Bollywood songs, and Channel V seems to be joining hands literally with Star in hopes to convert itself to yet another GEC.
But a couple of days ago, I noticed another trend by MTV. After a boring Coke Studios which failed miserably to come en par with the Pakistani version, they have come up with some interesting programs for the Indian audience. The first was Roots, and the new one in Unplugged. It was there that I saw Shanker Tucker and this new wave of music. Great singers and compositions. Good mix of classical and western music. In MTV Unplugged, we are yet seeing artists we have grown watching, playing music that we have heard a thousand times, but only this time, it's unplugged and more acoustic. Not exactly original but new to the ears nevertheless.
But what I miss most is those solo albums that I've heard so much when I was young and keep hearing from all the other genres but Indian. What's happening? Film music taking a monopoly? Can't be that audience not there. Let's face it, Shaan wouldn't be where he is if not for his albums. Mohit Chauhan wouldn't be singing love songs after love songs were it not for Silk Route. So what are they up to? Euphoria made an album a couple of years ago and again, disappeared. So many talented artists not coming on air due to lack of sponsors and producers. How to solve this?
But one thing that I am happy about is that no more do we need to see the battle of "Item Songs" for albums. Rakhi Sawant, Chopra madam, Yana gupta and others competing to lead the chart, baring all but the essentials, swiveling and twisting to their limits, seducing an entire nation as they do so. Thank God I don't have to see that. Instead, they have taken to movies and thanks to the Munnis and the Sheilas, they have no work in the industry.
Coming back to our individual musicians wanting to make a career, waiting for that big break, whether classical or rock or any other form, I think we need to re-strategize the approach. Social media is where you audience is. Here's a platform where they can come to you rather than the other way round. There should be someway to be heard again.
We are a nation that is not short of talent, neither are we short of people who can spot them. What we are short of, way below poverty line is passion. The same passion that these musicians have devoted their lives to needs to be seen in the producers and directors and channels to make them be seen. No... not reality shows.. actual music. No string attached.
A hoard of talent shows have attacked the television. Each claiming to be unique. But the show doesn't have what it takes to bring talent forward. In fact, because they make it an audience poll (hoping that they are not tampering with results) people end up voting for those they think have ENTERTAINED them more, rather than actually, spot the talent and help them with votes.
This is a sad scene in India and wish it changes soon.
Until then, Film Music... lage raho....

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