A recent chance remark by artiste, musician and songwriter Ram Sampath that Bengaluru’s music scene is neither directly affected by Bollywood nor influenced by the regional film industry’s music sparked off this article. MetroPlus got thinking and asked city musicians what their take is on this matter.
Siddarth Abraham, vocalist and frontman of the ‘feel-good’ rock band Solder, says there may be chances of being influenced by Bollywood or film songs only if you listen to them.
“It’s not like I’m against film songs, but I don’t particularly enjoy or listen to it. Bangalore’s scene caters to all kinds of music and the people here are open to everything. There is EDM, rock, indie pop, regional rock and even people doing their own music.
“When we have that much of variety, it’s hard to get stuck to one particular kind of music. Bollywood doesn’t strike much of a chord simply because we are not exposed to it. Even the local film industry’s music is not predominant.”
He adds that Bengaluru is always new territory for any musician. “It offers a platform and crowd that prefers an original composition or a fresh cover rather than something from a movie. Bangalore’s music culture likes to identify its own vibe altogether.”
Michael Dias of rock band Mad Orange Fireworks confesses that he is absolutely clueless about what’s happening in Bollywood. “I have seen very little of it and I have not liked any bit so I’ve stayed away completely.
I know there is a lot of production going into Bollywood in terms of music but it is decked and hyped up with masala that
I can’t understand. Most of it is extremely commercial and tries to please the general population.
There is also definitely good music in Bollywood but it seems scarce.”
Ashley Joseph, from experimental rock band Bulletproof Inc., one lines his answer: “Because Bangalore is the freaking rock capital man!”
“There is no question of Bollywood standing a chance here. The kind of music that we are exposed to and the bands that we followed while we were growing up are what we’ve continued to live with in Bangalore. It boils down to the scene and influences in our growing up years. We are better connected with the international music scene. Even in our college days as young bands, we had to up the ante with songs by big international heavyweight bands. There was no chance of winning a competition playing a Bollywood cover.”
However, Aisha Preety, a choral singer, speaks up for Bollywood music and offers something positive for the genre.
“Bangalore is a haven for every kind of music which means that even Bollywood has a space in the music capital. There is a niche audience that always love to shake a leg to a popular Bollywood film song or sing it with a guitar to their loved ones because Bollywood songs have the advantage of a romance unlike most other genres popular in Bangalore. Some can hate it, some can ignore it, but you can’t do away with it. Just like any other form of music, Bollywood will have its own following, even here.”
