Originally posted by: Indradhanush
Making music takes a lot, extensive training, wisdom, natural talent and tapsya. That is by and large missing in the current generation of musicians. The degradation is truly global and right from music, lyrics and arrangement everything has taken a nose dive.
I agree. Do you think its because MDs are required to mass produce songs at such a high rate, seeing how so many movies are being released every week, despite the fact that a great amount of them flop? Or do you think its the fact that its the natural talent that is lacking? Success is something that one wants at the youngest age possible these days, but some of these individuals worked all their life to gain that wisdom and training, and became who they were. Perhaps that motivation is lacking in today's day and age.
Following stalwarts from league of classical music have hardly any successors:
Gangubai Hangal
Pt Bhimsen Joshi
Hari Prasad Chaurasia
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan
Some time back flautist H P Chaurasia said in an interview, many promising students have to kill their aspirations as they have to earn a living from other fields. Also not many in the current crop can undertake rigorous riyaz and training. In the past Mohd Rafi used to do paanch mombati riyaz, now we have HR, Anu Malik, AS even ARR correcting sur with softwares. There are musicians like Pritam who have a degree in mixing and editing at best. It is said R D Burman and Salil da could play any instrument they laid hand on, now a days musicians are giving job of making interludes to a group loyal to them, finally to kill the remaining spirit we have editing, mixing, software, how will quality come?In today's day and age, devoting one's whole life to music isn't practical. One also needs to work to make a living. Perhaps that is why people are failing to enhance the natural talents that they do possess. Plus, especially in Bollywood, there are so many aspiring singers looking for the same recognition, that its hard to imagine that one's goals will be met. Luck plays a huge role there. We have singers like Neeraj Sridhar singing numerous songs, when some of these reality show singers possess a far, far better voice quality and perhaps even a greater knowledge of music.
As far as the technology goes, I think that one should learn to flow with the wind, and progress should only help us move forward not throw us back. Its okay to use these software/programs that will help enhance the music, but they should only be used to enhance talent, not to make talent out of no talent. Some MDs think that a good voice quality is enough, the rest these sur-correcting programs will take care of. I don't agree with that. Soon, sur won't matter anymore, one will only judging based on how unique a voice is.
And MDs today, take Pritam for example, are coming up with songs like "You Got Me Rocking and Reeling" and "Ai Pappi", of course there's no proper knowledge of instruments and/or music. The talent among MDs itself is deteriorating. The same rhythm/beat is taken, a different set of "english" lyrics is attached with a lot of loud background voices that drown out the singing and its called a "new song".
Also this is a stage managed era where a brand works. Musical reputation is no longer result of hard work but of oR and brand hype. Plus channels play music night and day to hammer a mediocre composition into your head.The sole purpose of music these days seems dance floor/club songs. As though there is no other relevance to music or good music. If that is the case, why not compose upbeat numbers without the singers/lyricists and call it a day?
Thanks for your input, it was a pleasure read. 😊
Arjun
