Parallel Film Music??

Remeber in 70s and 80s, there was something called parallel cinema? While Prakash Mehra, Manmohan Desai continued to come out with commercial masala potboilers, the likes of Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihlani and Prakash Jha marched out on a different path and came out with the classics like Ankur, Ardh Satya and Damul. These directors wanted to be different, show their creativity and did not care if their creations became huge commercial hit. Still, they were able to build their own followers, who, fade up with run-of-the-mill masala movies, welcomed the change . And out came the classics like Manthan, Mandi, Nishant, Akrosh and Tamas. While the "mass" cine-goers continued to flood the theaters running the potboilers, the connoisseurs of the good cinema enjoyed the films of their taste.

I think the same need to happen in the field of film music today. There is lot of noise everywhere with Himmy Bhaiya and Sunidhi Ben kind of songs. They are like the potboilers. They have huge followers and they continue to enjoy the support of the "hip" crowd. But there are a whole lot of people out there who still like the music in its pure form. While the likes of Himmy Bhaiya and Sunidhi Ben can continue to churn out ABA, Zalak, Aisa Jadoo to thrill the masses, Ismail-ji, Shiv-ji-Hari-ji and can march on their own path. They should not worry about the masses. They can build their own followers with the kind of music that still have a good number of listeners and can still sell.

When I attend the classical music concerts here in Bay Area, of the legends like Ravi Shankar-ji, Shiv-ji, Hari-ji, Amjad Ali saab, Jasraj-ji, I see huge huge crowd. I see people of all ages flocking in huge numbers. That says there is a class out there who still like the music in the pure form. This class needs to be catered with good film music. I am sure such music can co-exist with "pop" culture music giving the followers of both types the kind of music that they want. Afterall, did classical and light music not co-exist all these years? Similarly 2 different types of film music can co-exist making everyone happy.

Shyam Benegal started the trend in parallel cinema and then so many followed him. Similarly Shiv-Hari can start the trend in parallel film music and am sure many MDs will follow them.

May be then the "Lata-Madan" era will come back... with "Nihira-Ismail" or "Nihira-Shiv-Hari"... well, I am already dreaming....

May your dream come true.Perhaps the problem would be with the producers and directors who always have abig eye on the market.But it is possible with new directors coming up.How great if they combine with the veterans of classical music.
I agree there is still a big audience for parallel movie music.Moitra in Parinita is an example.If it is a good movie it can appeal to the "Hip" generatio also.

Even now once in a while a good (parallel)film is released with very good music.Three movies come to my mind right now.
Paheli...though Sunidhiben did sing in it
Raincoat..music by Debjyoti Mishra songs Shubha Mudgal
Hazaron Kwahishen Aisi..songs by swanand Kirkire/Shubha Mudgal
Salilu you had started a thread about women music directors...I just remembered the Kishori Amonkar was music director for Drishti

Nice thread salilu ji...

vasamv ji, Parineeta I believe is more mainstream and not parallel. Should Raincoat be counted in here? I simply LOVED that album (only the solo songs though).

[Quote=salilu]
Shyam Benegal started the trend in parallel cinema and then so many followed him. Similarly Shiv-Hari can start the trend in parallel film music and am sure many MDs will follow them.

May be then the "Lata-Madan" era will come back... with "Nihira-Ismail" or "Nihira-Shiv-Hari"... well, I am already dreaming....

Very good thought, some drastic change is required in the bollywood.
When you talk about parallel movies i remember Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. I can't forget Ankur by Shyam Benegal.

Thanks everyone for your comments!