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LAHORE:
Indian cinema no longer restricts itself to Indian talent as
globalization has allowed numerous Pakistani artists to enter the main
stream music industry in Bollywood.
The influx of artists such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam and
the assistance of business-minded and liberal film producers in
Bollywood has allowed this to happen. Whether it’s convenience or the
right skill set, the trend of importing Pakistani talent is clearly
mounting.
"Music has become standardized in India over the years, which has
resulted in vocalists suffering [from monotony],” says leading Indian
music composer and film theorist Madan Gopal Singh. "Pakistani artists
seem to have filled that void.” He explains the reason behind the rising
interest in Pakistani musicians is due to the melodic uniqueness they
possess; they represent a melodic transition which Singh feels Indian
musicians have left behind.
He feels the sudden arrival of Pakistani artists has generated
insecurities in the minds of local Indian musicians and what’s more
important is that Bollywood no longer has a nationalistic impulse to cut
Pakistanis off. Amongst the local musicians in India, Singh reveals it
was Abhijeet, a renowned playback singer, who led the first chorus
against Pakistani artists. He feels Abhijeet, who had become a spent
force, was simply threatened by the tough competition.
"Local artists [Indian] in general, feel threatened by the new talent
that is coming in and the reality is that this new talent is much more
talented and a little more than just good,” Singh says about Pakistani
artists.
Neutral grounds
Singh explains there are two factors that have allowed collaborations
between the two nations — economics and technology. As far as political
issues are concerned, he feels it’s a two-way street; there are
conspiratorial mindsets on both sides of the border. And to deal with
this, Dubai and London have become neutral spots where projects can be
worked on.
"It’s theatre to be honest, how conspiracies have been churned out.
And I am also aware that this goes both ways — Zaid Hamid in Pakistan
can also be quite hysterical,” he says. "I don’t know how we are
supposed to deal with the politics but I think the only option we have
is to work together silently as these [Pakistani artists] are very
popular people who have a huge following in India.”
While Pakistani artists had to fly to India initially to record
music, technology has now evolved and numerous producers use video
conferencing as a tool. "Studios are more sophisticated and equipped
now, and technology has progressed to a point where people can use Skype
to record music,” he continues. "Therefore, artists don’t even need to
go anywhere to produce songs now.”
Meanwhile, a source close to Atif Aslam reveals that producers ask
artists to record songs in either Dubai or Lahore. "We are told that
Indian singers would obviously become apprehensive as their work is
being taken by Pakistani singers; but the environment is becoming very
competitive and it should be looked at from that angle,” the unnamed
source continued, saying competition is healthy. Aslam remains
indifferent to these local sentiments saying he is too focused on his
work.
Music producer and cultural icon, Mian Yousuf Salahuddin, gave
another perspective to the theory. He feels the main reason behind why
Pakistani artists choose to go to Dubai or Lahore instead of India is
because it’s more convenient. "While there are only a handful of people
who make noise [about political issues], the tension will always be
there regardless,” says Salahuddin. "Pakistani artists primarily record
music in Pakistan or Dubai because it’s just easier for them.” He says
Rahat recorded most of his songs in Lahore and if he had to go
elsewhere, it would be Dubai.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013. | 
