Music over matter

Amarjot Kaur

While our observation of Punjabi music industry, with reference to lyrical content and music trends, might leave many of you fuming, others would agree that Punjab is not all about obsessing over the idea of Chandigarh, gori chitti kudiyaan who hanker after swanky cars, or men with guns.

Though Guru Randhawa and Millind Gaba arrive unfashionably late to promote their new song, Yaar Mod Do, they offer an apology that pacifies the journalists, who stood waiting for two hours, while we pacified our displeasure with a wise excuse—Better late than never. Guess we can say the same for their new song too. The Punjabi singers claim that their song elaborates on the importance friendship and in no way promotes weapons, aggression, and objectification of women. We thereby welcome an interesting, and quite informative banter with the duo.

You have mounted the song on the label, T-Series. How important is the music label for a singer?

Guru: While many singers in Bollywood have royalty issues with T-Series, I, being a signed artiste with them, have no issues with it. Music labels help the musicians to reach out a wider space as far as popularity is concerned. My first album, Page 1, was launched independently. But, I get more views when I pitch my songs with T-Series.

Millind: The record label company has over 9 million subscribers on YouTube and it also puts our songs through to radio and TV, which is very important for us.

Considering, that music label companies focus on the ‘business’ aspect of music, is it stifling for you, as a musician, to modify your music as per their/market demand? Were you asked to modify Yaar Mod Do?

Guru: They only make the kind of music that the people listen to. So, I guess, in the commercial scene, one has to do as the market demands.

Millind: Also, we were asked to modify the third verse of our song, which, when we recorded, had a subtle and soothing melody, where four friends reminisce good old times they spent together before they meet with an accident. The company wanted it to sound more powerful.

So, while the company’s interest is business and your creativity is driven by passion, how do you deal with the conflict of interest?

Guru: You know it is very difficult to raise funds for promotion and the labels usually pay us in advance, so it’s not really a problem.

Millind, you have sung both Bollywood and Punjabi songs. How do you shuttle between the two?

Millind: These days, even Bollywood wants Punjabi club music. I did the title track for Welcome Back 2, which featured rap by John Abraham and I consider that to be a feather in my cap. However, I am an entertainer and I shall do whatever it takes to entertain people.

We have been noticing the Punjabi music scene in Pakistan, with singers like Shamoon Ismail fusing blues and Punjabi lyrics and rappers like Faris Shafi and Ali Gul Pir rapping about serious political and religious issues. Can we expect more experimentation in Indian Punjabi music too?

Guru: Well, I think we have really good singers here and a lot of experimentation has been done with rap music, but I do understand that we shoulder a great responsibility as our music is heard by people in the age bracket of 13 to 25. So, we will try to make more serious stuff.

amarjot@tribunemail.com