Credits to the singers or Music Directors?

Vidhya k posted

Friends, what is your opinion? Who deserves more credit for a hit song? The singer or the M.D? (Let us leave the Lyricist aside for time being. They too deserve Credit, but in a different context).

You must have observed that even Lata, Asha, Mukesh etc used to sing in the style of their predecessors, in the beginning. They needed an M.D to evolve their own unique style of singing. Later, it is only with experience that they learn the art of singing. It is the M.D. who teaches the singer modulations, word pronunciations, voice throws, etc. for a song. But sadly, a Music Director of a song is hardly remembered or mentioned.

Posted on April 10, 2012

Replies

Harshan will be sporadic for couple of weeks Nambiar said

Vidhyaji to your earlier point….many of the MD have appeared as judges….Ismail Darbar, Anandji,Jatin Lalit,Vishal shekhar,Pyarelal ji, OP Nayyar saab,shankar mahadevan…actually a lot of MDs appeared as judges before. However if its a singing competition, I believe the established singers are the best judge….they can provide inputs to the singer…be it sur, taal, breath control, throw,harkat and dynamics. Even these MDs are not saints, because even after so many reality shows – how many of these winners got a chance to sing as playback singers……just a few…because the MDs dont want to take chance with the newer folks…and they stick to established ones….its all about MONEY
________________________________________________
“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Posted about 1 year ago

Vidhya k said

Harshan ji, I believe that the actors become stars by their acting prowess. We would go and watch their movies, irrespective of who has sung for them. When it comes to singers and actors, I feel, the singers have to thank the actors for the success of the song. Because the actors are the face of the song with all the background story and emotions that the actor has already played. That’s probably the reason, private album songs aren’t as successful as film songs in India. Except different genres like gazals, etc.

And regarding the above point that you have discussed, I am happy to note that MDs were indeed invited as judges. I also agree that when it comes to amateur singers, the established singers can judge them. But what, when an established singer and an experienced MD choose 2 different competitors as the better one. Whose judgment needs to be taken as the better decision? This had actually happened in one of the shows. There was an argument between the singer judge and the MD judge. The MD then got up from the stage and asked both the competitors to sing 2 same lines of a song. And then pointed out the harkats, one competitor took and thus proved his point. The singer judge couldn’t refute that.

Agree, that the MDs too fear to take chances with the new singers and work with only the established ones. But what when they DO take a chance, some times? Can the singer forget the risk the MD took and the hard work and skill he used, to bring out the talent from the new singer?

My point is that none of the singers ever…. ever mention the MDs who gave them the first chance and brought out the unique style in them. They take all the credits for themselves, once they become famous and forget their mentors.

Posted about 1 year ago

>>mushy<<-slowly getting back to music <<<< said

@ Vidhya ji u started a very nice discussion…. i would like to give some information …. all recording companies give the credit to the music director and the lyricist…. the royalty is paid to them up to 60 yrs… even after there death to there nominee… singers dont get royalty except few singers like lata ji who fought for it … rafi sahab never supported royalty for singers as they all knew that architect of a song is the M.D.
its true that we see and hear the singer and feel that they are more important but now days u can see M.D bring new talent and different voices and they all become super hit…. because what we hear is what the music director wants….
therefore its only the music director and the lyricist who are the creators and they should be recognized for there effort…
thanks for the discussion…
mushy
Music has no country, no religion , Its Universal

Posted about 1 year ago

Vidhya k said

Mushtaque ji, first Harshanji’s and then your information provided some solace to me. Are Latha and the others listening? I shall be the happiest, if what you say is indeed true. That is exactly what I feel, the MDs deserve.

No idea, which is the right source to find out the mechanism of payment for the songs. So maybe I got the ‘wrong’ information. Am eager to know, from where did you get the information. Just curious. Thanks a ton for the healing information.
Now, the remaining fact is about singers mentioning their Mentor’s name. If and when they start doing it, we can as well close this discussion for good :)

Would like to thank all the friends here for taking active part in this discussion and enlightening each other with loads of information.

Posted about 1 year ago

>>mushy<<-slowly getting back to music <<<< said

vidhya ji this information which i gave u is from people i know …who r son or daughter of renowned lyricist , music director and singer…
there may be some terms and condition changed now about the royalty years ,
the nominee has to use the money for the promotion of the creator….otherwise they will not be entitled for the royalty…
hope i answered ur quires….
Music has no country, no religion , Its Universal

Posted about 1 year ago

Muraleedharan Cp said

Fully agree the thoughts of Latha Ganti and her Papa’s observations. Composer, Lyricist, and Singer are all sharing equal importance as Praveen Pandit said.

All these observations are applicable to songs belongs to a period upto 2000 or earlier years songs. Since then the trend has changed especially in the case of Film songs. One more person has stepped into this group namely Music Organizer who do most of the work nowadays with his laptop/Computer.
Taking the Rhythm, background music (both available in plenty for a kickback payment)and singer’s voice bits and doing the composing Music (cut & paste)jobs.Most of the new generation MD’s are following the master’s(?)style. Nobody matters in this style only Computer, Software and finally the Music organizer.
These are my observations and your comments & brick-backs are most welcome

Posted about 1 year ago