When artistes lost their professional rhythm...

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 29

For upcoming musicians and artistes in the Punjabi music industry, the pandemic has been nothing short of a struggle for survival. With no live shows to bank upon, no music festivals and no commercial recordings happening, the forced break on professional as well as creative front has not turned out well for many.

Aar Bee, a city-based music director and artiste, who has been a known name in the Punjabi music industry and has worked with famous Wadali family, too, feels that many artistes lost their professional rhythm during the lockdown.

While commenting on the impact of Covid-19 on artistes and the music industry, said: “I consider myself lucky to have found work with the Wadalis. I was working throughout the pandemic. But not many have had that kind of luck or support. Live performing artistes find it difficult to connect to the audience in the same manner on digital platforms. I know many artistes, who were forced to take up other jobs to survive the financial stress of the pandemic.”

“Covid-19 has not been good for the creative industry, especially artistes, who were looking to make a career through live performances. But the gradual revival of activity and events will definitely help in getting the industry back on track,” says the young music director. But he also feels that the adversity has opened up an alternative platform of digital media for a world of possibilities to explore.

“What we need now is to solidify the virtual presence with stronger visibility for independent artistes,” he says. In the industry for last decade or so, Aar Bee started his career as a music director for the legendary Wadali brothers. I was fortunate to get noticed by Puran Chand Wadali ji and later worked with Lakhwinder Wadali on many of his recent songs,” he shares.

Just like many who dream to make it big in the music industry, Aar Bee, too, started young, as a student of music at GNDU.

“My father, Sudesh Noor headed a jaagran group and used to sing at jagratas. Despite being an artiste himself, he never really encouraged me to pursue the career of a professional singer, as he thought that it’s a very challenging career and one has to really go through a grind to accomplish success. I had really proved my talent to him to get his approval. I came across Wadali brothers at an event, where they saw me perform. But I really found my calling behind the camera, as a director,” he shared.

Aar Bee has directed Lakhwinder Wadali’s recent string of hits including Ranjhanna, Nazara and Maula that have been hits on digital platforms.

“People have re-traced their way back to the melodious, soulful music during lockdown. One can only hear to the noise being served as music for a limited duration. But melody is what remains forever. I believe in making good music rather than commercial gains,” he says.