Music a commercial commodity nowManna Dey

https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010629/art-trib.htm#2

Manna Dey has some good words for Saregama singers in this interview..

has become commercial commodity:
Manna Dey
Neena Bhandari

Music has become a commercial commodity, where a singer's popularity is judged by how many CDs he sells and not by the quality of his singing, says veteran Indian singer Manna Dey.

Speaking to newspersons here today, Dey who is here to promote Indian culture, says "Today's singers have cut-throat competition. Music has become a commercial commodity and the choice of words, thoughts and lyrics no longer matters".

Pop songs have come to the fore even with their pedestrian tunes, unqualified singing prowess and meaningless words because they sell, he says adding "today promotion is the key".

Commending young singers, he says "I was pleasantly surprised to see young talent in 'Tvs Sa Re Ga Ma'. It means, there is no dearth of talent".

To become a good singer, Dey says, one has to have a good voice, a guru for guidance and dedication. "My uncle K.C. Dey initiated me into music. I religiously performed riyaz for a couple of hours daily. I have been a very strict singer, never lackadaisical about rendition of the songs".

Music lovers in Sydney will have a rare opportunity to attend a workshop on classical and non-classical music to be conducted by the versatile single next week.

Even at 81, Dey, who mesmerised audience at the Bengali songs concert here, says "I enjoy singing for the Bangladeshis because they know each and every song of mine by heart. They have kept Bengali music alive, while in West Bengal there has been an influence of Bollywood".

An eight-minute video presentation "An introduction to Manna Dey" by Sydney-based filmmaker Anita Brar was to introduce the singing legend to the expatriate Indian community at a Hindi concert.

Having sung in almost every Indian language and English, the octogenarian singer says, "I wanted to sing on an all-India basis. I have translated Tagore's songs in Hindi".

In a singing career spanning 50 years, Manna Dey has seen the growth of music in the country. "We are at a stage where we say no more".

He says "In the film industry one has to be on the guard and not make sweeping statements".

"I have rubbed shoulders with great singers like Rafi, Talat, Lata, Hemant and Kishore, who deserve every accolade. Their singing by any yardstick you measure is great."

While drawing comparisons is healthy, to ask someone of Naushad's calibre "Why did you ask Rafi to sing and not Manna Dey" is ridiculous. Again, Lata Mangeshkar is an institution, there should be no comparison between her and any other singer, he adds. PTI

very good article,sur sangamji 👏 👏 ..Mannada is totaly right when he says today's singers have cut throat competition and that promotion is the key.....There is no other reason for the success of some songs and Music directors in today's world. ......Very often i see that good music goes unnoticed/doesn't becomea chartbuster and mediocre music does very well......since songs are promoted heavily on TV(a visual medium)...the tune sems to have taken a backseat..songs with good picturizations/dance/famous stars/some controversy etc become instant hits...........The key seems to be that the simpler/worse the tune and the more it is promoted the more it grows on the public...and there we have a formula for a chartbuster 😕😆😆......In this pathetic state of music,it is no wonder that very few singers are motivated to do good work...and good singers like Sonuji have reduced the no of songs they sing........Sad state of affairs. 😳....I guess this will rufflle a few feathers .....but its ok 😳😉

SS, very good article as told "Today's singers have cut-throat competition. Music has become a commercial commodity and the choice of words, thoughts and lyrics no longer matters".Wondering he also have to have rubbed shoulders with great singers like Rafi, Talat, Lata, Hemant and Kishore, who deserve every accolade. Their singing by any yardstick you measure is great.