On a song
With actors and composers hogging the limelight with their songs, CT sound checks whether it's making singers insecure
PRIYANKA DASGUPTA Times News Network
Recently, Himesh Reshammiya quoted Rs 25 lakh for a show in the city. Some say, that's Rs 15 lakh below what he charges for a Mumbai show. Had Himesh stuck to only composing songs, perhaps he wouldn't have quoted this amount or the success he commands. So, is it a desire to be recognised that prompts the likes of Pritam, Bappi Lahiri, Anand Raj Anand and Annuu Malik to wield the microphone? And when they do, do our original playback singers feel insecure?
In the absence of implementation of copyright rules in India, most composers don't command astronomical fees like the playback singers. Says composer Jatin Pandit, "Money is a factor and so is exposure. Despite my hits, masses came to know how Jatin looked like after I judged Sa Re Ga Ma. To be known is a good feeling. Himesh has been able to achieve what no other composer has done till date😳. I too intend to record a solo album." What Pandit is hinting at is that if a Karan Johar and Farah Khan can hog so much of attention, why should composers be left behind?
Some composers are also being seen on music videos these days. Himesh apart, Aadesh Shrivastav featured in his music video too. Even Pritam was seen in the music video of Bheegi Bheegi along with singer James. He has even performed at Durga Puja programmes in Mumbai. Says Shamir Tandon, "Hemant Kumar and RD Burman have sung their own compositions. My vocal chord is the only instrument that I play. In a recording studio, a singer's contribution is equal to that of a musician's. So, why should a composer resist the temptation of taking the credit?"
And not just composers, even our actors including the Sanjay Dutt (Musafir, Zinda and Asha and friends) and Bipasha Basu (in Dhoom 2) are now recording albums and singing for films. Does this trend make the original playback singers insecure or the audiences consider that stars make great singers? "There are audiences for different kinds. People like time-bound changes with voices. A choreographer
might get the steps right but only a star can mesmerise on screen. Singing is a specialised art. Those like Sonu, Alka, Babul and Shaan will always rule," points out Pandit.
Playback singers claim not to be feeling the pinch yet. As Babul Supriyo says, "Non-singers trying their hands in serious singing can be a novelty but not an organised practice. Few songs like Aamir Khan's Aati kya Khandala have been hits too. Like singers may occasionally take to acting, actors should only sing once in a while to maintain the novelty value attached to it. A singer might feel bad if a song gets wasted. But he will never be threatened by a non-singer."
Source : TOI
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