Manpriya Singh
Remember the time back in 2012, when the nation was first introduced to Yo Yo Honey Singh and his infectious Angrezi Beat in the film Cocktail? Of course, in Punjab, the song had long done the essential round of wedding sangeets. Punjabi independent music is a staple of radio channels and the dance floors, and now, even Bollywood; a trend that’s caught up at an exponential rate.
Just in the last few years, almost half of the Bollywood’s chartbusters were nothing but rehashed versions of old Punjabi numbers. Kala Chashma featured on Katrina Kaif being the strongest case in point. And then there was also Saturday Saturday from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (the list goes on and on). But the big question that pops its head right out is… when was the last time a Punjabi film scored on the basis of its music? Why does Punjabi film music fail so miserably in comparison to Punjabi independent music?
In comparison
Punjabi music director, composer and singer Atul Sharma, who has rendered memorable hits like Dupatta Tera Sat Rang Da and Yaar Bolda, asks us to chart the evolution of Punjabi music and Punjabi films separately, and also the idiom of both the mediums. Not to forget the fact that, “It is so much easier for a new singer to break into the music scene by just producing a song followed by a video, rather than much more unaffordable platform like films.” Eventually it also comes down to a singer’s individual discography, where one needs to have more than one hit to be able to tour for commercially viable concerts.
Forgettable film music
Satvinder Singh Kohli, MD Speed Records, the largest music label in Punjab, breaks down the figures for us, “There are as many as 70 to 80 Punjabi films coming in a year. Each film, on an average has five songs. But the budget is limited and so is the time, which is why the producers often asks the lyricists and music composers to complete the tracks in 15 days, which means each song gets three days to be complete from scratch. The director gives the situation and the lyricist has to come up with something.” Eventually, he points out, we all know what is likely to happen in the situation; the music is compromised.
Observes singer Sukhwinder Singh, who has sung a few hit numbers from films like Jatt & Juliet and Jatt & Juliet Part II, “Film songs are situation-based and it needs someone supremely talented to make them a hit. It also needs understanding between the director and the music director; only then can catchy songs happen.”
Nascent stage
Mention any artiste that’s been to Punjab lately, we questioned Manj Musik from UK, Vidyut Jamwal from Mumbai, playback singer Jyotica Tangri… and all of them love Punjabi musicians. By the way, Vidyut Jamwal thinks Sidhu Moosewala is a rockstar with trueblue gangster vibes, while he recently had Diljit Dosanjh’s Thug Life and Amrit Mann’s Difference on his playlist.
Opines singer Jyotica Tangri, “Punjabi music industry goes way back and has been there ever since. However, the Punjabi films industry has only recently picked up.”
Solo hit
Music videos that amass millions of views on YouTube bring in overnight fame, lavish production budgets for the next video, live shows for the massive Punjabi Diaspora settled in every country of the world. Now, also an entry to Bollywood! Ask Honey Singh, who was paid close to Rs 70 lakh for one song and that was way back in 2012! Or lately, even Guru Randhawa.
With the ‘Land of Five Rivers’ overflowing with aspiring artistes and music labels, these sure are heady days for Punjabi music; we hope that trickles into films soon!
manpriya@tribunemail.com
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via Today’s News Headlines
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