Time to face the music?
Of all the people I know, I am the least likely to write about this topic, but I want a reality check. Since most of my (few!) readers are Indian, they are quite possibly in a good position to comment. And the topic is Recent Indian (especially Hindi) Film Music.
Is it just me, or has the quality of musical output in fillums improved tremendously these past few years? Or do I just have more patience to listen to more of it and the opportunity to experiment? But from the long dreary dry spell of the '90s (save the occasional DTPH or 1942 type relief), these last 5-6 years with the Veer Zaaras, Bunty aur Bubblys, Lagaans, DCHs etc. are bubbling over with innovativeness, energy, and..gasp...that elusive concept..MELODY!
It's not all remixes and jhankaar beats (which are a wonderful trend too, imho!), it's somehow the revival of classic elements in music. The qawwali has been back for a while, the slow haunting melodies with basic instruments (think Parineeta), the infusion of classical aspects into mainstream music (think Raincoat, Kisna, and in Tamil music, Ivann, Parthiban Kanavu) the readiness to experiment with singers and music directors is evident and has sprung on us the genius of Ismail Darbar, Shreya Ghosal, Shantanu Moitra, etc. instead of same old Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik.So..am I just waking up too late, or do you feel this distinct but welcome change? Or is it all a biased view and will I feel a few years later that that music is fresh and beautiful, and man, what were they thinking in 2005 when they made that sucky music?!
Is it just me, or has the quality of musical output in fillums improved tremendously these past few years? Or do I just have more patience to listen to more of it and the opportunity to experiment? But from the long dreary dry spell of the '90s (save the occasional DTPH or 1942 type relief), these last 5-6 years with the Veer Zaaras, Bunty aur Bubblys, Lagaans, DCHs etc. are bubbling over with innovativeness, energy, and..gasp...that elusive concept..MELODY!
It's not all remixes and jhankaar beats (which are a wonderful trend too, imho!), it's somehow the revival of classic elements in music. The qawwali has been back for a while, the slow haunting melodies with basic instruments (think Parineeta), the infusion of classical aspects into mainstream music (think Raincoat, Kisna, and in Tamil music, Ivann, Parthiban Kanavu) the readiness to experiment with singers and music directors is evident and has sprung on us the genius of Ismail Darbar, Shreya Ghosal, Shantanu Moitra, etc. instead of same old Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik.So..am I just waking up too late, or do you feel this distinct but welcome change? Or is it all a biased view and will I feel a few years later that that music is fresh and beautiful, and man, what were they thinking in 2005 when they made that sucky music?!