Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman recently made headlines with his candid observations about the music industry. He spoke openly about receiving less work these days and hinted that a 'communal thing' might be influencing decisions behind the scenes. Rahman clarified quickly that nobody has ever directly expressed such sentiments to him. His comments have now ignited a broader conversation within the entertainment world.
Colonial Cousins Weigh In on Industry Changes
Veteran musicians Hariharan and Leslie Lewis, famous as the duo Colonial Cousins, have now reacted to Rahman's statements. They shared their perspectives on the evolving landscape of Indian music. Hariharan emphasized the critical need for artistic sensibility in key decision-making roles. He expressed a strong wish for more creative individuals or genuine music lovers to be calling the shots.
"I really wish there were more creative people, or at least people who genuinely understand music, taking these calls," Hariharan stated. He added a crucial point about priorities, saying, "You have to think about creativity first and money later. If you only think of money when it comes to art, then who knows what the future will be."
A Grey Area in Music Selection
Hariharan, who famously sang Rahman's timeless romantic number 'Tu Hi Re' from Mani Ratnam's 'Bombay' in 1995, described the current situation as a "grey area." Leslie Lewis echoed his views completely. Lewis agreed that the industry's internal structure has transformed dramatically in recent years.
"It's not just the old players anymore. New people with new thoughts have come in, and digital platforms have changed the parameters completely," Lewis told NDTV during an interview. He pointed directly to how corporate thinking has started dominating creative judgment across the board.
Corporate Mindset Over Creative Instinct
Lewis explained the shift in detail. He noted that earlier, the people evaluating artists and projects typically had extensive experience and strong creative instinct. Today, the process has become very corporate in nature. The individual making the final call often focuses primarily on job security rather than artistic merit.
"Earlier, the people judging us had experience and creative instinct. Today, it's very corporate. The person taking the call is often making sure their job is secure. They may love music, but they don't always have the experience to decide who the right artist is," Lewis elaborated. This corporate approach creates a gap between genuine talent and opportunity.
Rahman's Original Comments on BBC
For those who missed it, Rahman originally shared his thoughts on the BBC Asian Network. He reflected on possible reasons behind the changes he observed. "Maybe I didn't get to know all this stuff. Maybe God concealed all this stuff. But for me, I never felt any of those, but the past eight years, maybe, because the power shift has happened," Rahman said during the interview.
He elaborated further on this power shift. "People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers." These remarks highlight the subtle yet significant changes affecting artist bookings and project allocations.
The discussion continues to resonate across the music and film industries. It raises important questions about balancing commercial interests with artistic integrity. Many insiders are now reflecting on how to preserve creativity in an increasingly corporate environment.
