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Articles
Remix
Mixed Up or Messed Up Music
by Ankita Kumar
What is a remix? Some enlightened minds may say that it is a perfect blend of
the music of the old and new times or the art of presenting anachronistic music
in a modern style. But, according to me, it is just a form of plagiarism or
rather it is worse than that. In plagiarism, a person copies a certain thing
completely and claims the piece of work as his own. But, in the case of remixes,
old tunes are utterly distorted, a few English words are added, the videos
feature skimpily clad females who are made to dance in an obscene manner and
then the song is dedicated to the original music composer or singer. Isn’t this
an offense to the music maestros? Isn’t this a greater sin than plagiarism?
Earlier, it was a fashion to do cover albums in which modern day singers used to
sing old songs but the tunes and lyrics were never changed so it was more like
paying homage to their favorite singers. However, now in the name of remixes the
composers mess up the melodious songs which sometimes get popular as a result of
immense publicity and vulgar videos. Models like Sophia and actresses like Dia
Mirza are featured in the videos to popularize them. They are invited to shows
on popular television channels to give interviews and are even invited to music
shows to promote their upcoming albums. Many popular singers like Lata
Mangeshkar have condemned remixes calling them an insult to the maestros who
originally composed the songs. Disgusted with this new realm of music Naushad,
the late legendary music director had said that it was shameful that today’s
generation is getting to see so little of music and so much of malignity of
music.
According to me, the real reason for the popularity of remixes is that even
though the songs are changed, the lyrics and tunes (whatever little is left of
them) are so enduring that the young generation likes them. Music composers like
Bally Sagoo and Harry Anand who started this, couldn’t make a name in the music
industry by composing original songs so instead, they started this trend of
remixes which doesn’t require any imagination and innovation. Doesn’t this show
lack of creativity and originality in these so called “new generation” music
directors? If writers can be accused of plagiarism then why can’t these people
be accused and taken to task. But no instead of reproving such puerility, even
the older generation encourages them calling it inventiveness to be in sync with
the “in” crowd. It is considered a fashion to like remixes. Since remixes have
become a rage now, many NRIs like Raghav and bands like Bombay Vikings are
gaining recognition as they have a bare minimum sense of music and lots of money
to splurge. I feel, instead of encouraging these people it would be better to
encourage people with an aptitude for music. Big companies can sponsor these
young talents who lack money, not skill. Even now it is not too late. There is
no dearth of talent in India the thing lacking is the ability to spot talent.
We might blame the music directors and singers, but, actually the reality is
that such pusillanimity is gaining recognition only because teenagers like us
like listening to remixes. Once we start rejecting them, this trend will soon be
forgotten. We have to work towards crafting, listening and promoting original
music. We must endeavor to create an ambience in which only good music can dwell
so that our children are not deprived of what we are being deprived of.
There are many movies today which have the original version and a remix one too
in the same album. If this trend continues, a day might come when the remix of a
song will hit the market earlier than the original!!
June 4, 2006
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