Where did BD Music Go Wrong !! A Deep Introspection
by ZUBAIR MALIK
‘Music’ – this word is not that much pleasing to hear when it comes to people’s mind as a profession. Yes, I am talking about here in Bangladesh. Most of the people don’t want to recognize it as a noble profession in Bangladesh. Why? Because of the music being presented in different awful ways to the people or audience.
Being an Independent country in 1971, the first musical movement had been watched as “Muktir Gaan”, which were actually songs that motivated the warriors and freedom fighters to move forward with a revolution. These songs actually contain the urge for freedom.
On one hand Bangladesh’s music scene since 1971 has been a fascinating journey of self-expression, social commentary, and blending of tradition with modern influences. And on the other hand, In this 54 years Bangladesh is still finding it difficult to make an unique identity all over the world. If someone asks you to play music that sounds like Bangladeshi Music, you can’t present a single song that can represent our country.
We (Bangladeshis) all are blaming ourselves all the time about our habits and taste in cultural practice. But the main reason I found is there have not been any leaders who have any profound interest and knowledge of Music. It is sad but true.
Music Education has not been developed and remains almost non-inclusive to the mainstream educational system at the school level.
It emerged as Baul Songs, Folk songs, Bangla Pop and the rise of band culture during the 80’s. Classical Music could not find the proper and sound environment to be practiced.
The complex bureaucratic spectrum used national awards associating nepotism.
The metropolitan upper class were and still are interested in Foreign Music.
Bollywood songs took place in every kind of festival nowadays. There is nothing wrong I found in Bollywood or English Songs as per as the quality is concerned.
But we feel inferior when we are asked to celebrate something with bengali songs. WE HAVE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AN ARTIST BUT NOT THE ART.
Once we were part of the Indian Subcontinent, the evolution actually started many centuries ago. CAN YOU TELL , WHY FAKIR LALON SHAI HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS A BOHEMIAN PERSONALITY WHOSE FOLLOWERS USE TO HAVE CANNABIS TO CELEBRATE HIS SPIRITUALITY?
Fakir Lalon Shai’s Philosophical thoughts and explanation is not practiced properly. No one has truly explored him as it should have been. In that case his words would be in our text books along with Rabindranath Thakur or Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Corporate entities made musicians a dinner time background score performer. What a shame? They could rather use recorded music at that time. It is quite shameful to have a performer on the stage while everyone is concentrating on food. We really have a savage corporate culture that uses music in a very cheap way.
In my view, the richest time music had its most enlightenment in BD is from the 80’s and 90’s. But still there was nepotism in the TV and Radio channels.
The age of long play, Audio Cassettes and CD’s has been gone. No one is making money from there. IN MY VIEW, THERE IS NO MAINSTREAM MUSIC INDUSTRY IN BD EXISTS NOW BUT MUSICAL CIRCLES OR SYNDICATES.
YES, We have at least one Music TV Channel , Coke studio is producing music in different ways.Unfortunately the brand “COKE” is making it more recognized rather than the music itself. Here is where the Music Industry failed to have proper coordination with the corporate world.
How many musicians are making money from streaming music on YouTube, Spotify or Apple music? Let’s forget money. Why can’t we make music a respectable occupation?
I think in most cases the famous artists are creating music when anyone is sponsoring them. We failed to become Artists. A COMPOSER MAKES MUSIC BECAUSE IT GIVES HIM THE HIGHEST PLEASURE, LET GO HAVING RICH FOOD OR MONEY.
For the last 15 years I haven’t found any unique creation that is being sung while we have a gathering or wandering around. We are into those old legendary songs and remaking and covering those again and again.
BEING VIRAL BECAME MORE IMPORTANT THAN MAKING A SUSTAINABLE CREATION.
It is better to know nothing rather than having less of it. I haven’t written this article for a solution. Just thought of rethinking the whole situation. You don’t need a grammy but a sound and safe environment to practice your music. You have to know music contains something better and worthy to live for no matter what anyone says or thinks. Just if you don’t love it, don’t do it. Please don’t spoil it anymore, and don’t let anyone spoil it. MUSIC IS THE ONLY UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE CLOSEST TO THE SOUL. MAKE IT SACRED AND BRING YOUR PEACE BACK TO YOUR MIND. IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THE STRINGS OF YOUR GUITAR AGAIN. TIME TO SHOUT OUT LOUD DEEP THROUGH THE UNIVERSE.
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