WORLD MUSIC DAY Experts talk about what’s wrong with contemporary music Anukampa Sharma Amritsar, June 20 Without music, life appears to be both incomplete and incomprehensible. Music pulsates with a life of its own that is ever-changing and improving, diversifying into something completely different from its original form. It is a tree with numerous branches that carry not just leaves, but flowers and fruits as well. It has its roots deep in the soil of history, which had spread far and wide. These roots are the reason we see music in its current form. Music is not just in our present but will remain a part of our future. Having said that, the music we hear today is quite different from its progression. Dependent heavily on beats that sound the same, lyrics that have stopped making sense and auto-tuning, the genre of contemporary music has become a sale product. Celebrated folk singer Laachi Bawa, daughter of the veteran folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, with songs like Baba Nanak Boleya, Jugni, Mitti da Bawa, Ranjha, under her belt; says, “The present-day music is filled mostly with irrelevant librettos without any authenticity or quality. The songs of the bygone era were alive with clarity with the concept of the songs apparent to the audience.” She attributes the change in music style to the change in the public’s lifestyle. “The fast paced lifestyle we live has dragged every aspect of our lives with it, diluting its essence, including the music that we listen to. But there also exist others, who are working to promote quality music and retain the authenticity of music along with carrying forward the beauty of music,” she states. Rishabh Mahajan, an independent musician, who has his own digital channel, says, “The current trend in music, in Punjab, is of catchy but meaningless songs. The youth enjoys all this and though, not many actually like the subject being promoted by the Punjabi songs, the lyrics are mostly ignored due to the loud and attractive beats. This is what sells, so this is what is being made.” Krish Kumar, a city-based music instructor at Six Strings Music Academy, agrees, “Music for the ears no longer exists, what exists is the music for the eyes. In earlier times, meaningful topics and content used to be appreciated and promoted but the existing system has taken a complete 180-degree turn and now less meaningful stuff is being promoted and liked. It is no longer clear where music is going from the past decade or so.” GNDU Assistant Professor Tejinder Gulati points out that classical music that has remained true to its original form till date, should be exemplified. “Classical music strengthens your base as a musician. Training in classical genre should be mandatory before venturing into contemporary music forms to understand the core value and aesthetics of all music forms,” Gulati adds.

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