MUMBAI: Bollywood is still recovering from the music of the 80’s in terms of quality music in films, renowned music director Shankar Mahdevan said.
Sharing his views on the current music scene of music in the country, Mahadevan said that although there was talent in the music industry, aptitude was not always enough to achieve a breakthrough.
“The 80’s saw a lot of trash (music) coming from the film industry made by people who didn’t know music. There is a bug in the system regarding Bollywood music where mediocre and spiked music are being promoted. We hope that the country’s niche indie music grows. We are an integral part of Bollywood but we want independent music to grow as big as Bollywood music.”
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The problem with the country’s music industry-dominated by Bollywood music- is two sided. On one hand are music directors and producers who churn out second rate songs and a public who is not exposed to any other form of music.
“It’s not so easy to pin the blame either on the music directors/ producers or the public. There is a combination of issues involved. But today, marketing is as important as making music. We need to reverse the way things are working. Different genres of music can work in mainstream music including classical forms of music. Take my song ‘Breathless’- it is actually based on a ‘raga’. As music composers, we have responsibility to give a bit of culture,” he said.
Mahadevan, who is judging Zee TV’s new ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012’ show which begins airing on 29 September said he joined the show because of its focus on singing talent and not theatrics. The talent hunt show will be the first of its kind in India to promote talent beyond the confines of the ability to sing Bollywood songs.
“The band culture is growing by the day and (co-judge of the show) Rahul Ram (vocalist and bassist of Indian Ocean) will give incentive for people looking for new avenues. The show’s hunt will be for a ‘singer’ not a playback singer- someone who will be known by his face and voice,” Mahadevan said.
He believes things are changing for the better though.
“Fortunately, we now have young filmmakers who didn’t grow up on a diet of Bollywood film music and who know what a ‘C’ chord is. Nowadays, it’s not only about the singers or songs anymore. Even composers are being recognized. You do get to travel and perform. The country is so big and there are so many styles out there- we have to start somewhere. The Sa Re Ga… show is open to all genres of music. I really pray there is an Indian Bob Dylan or Mick Jagger, who if can highlight their unique style (of singing). I will take them in,” he said.
