Notes from the past

Music today is not a piece,its an effect,lifted and placed between words.

Written by Jaskiran Kapoor
August 1, 2009 03:07 AM IST

3 min read

Music today is not a piece,its an effect,lifted and placed between words. Its what we call jugglery, like many,especially his contemporaries,music director OP Sonik is not too pleased with the current state of notes. They lack the rhythm,the melody,the soul…music is no longer what it used to be,a character in the film,a protagonist,timeless and classic, says the 71-year-old as he recalls the good ol days over a cup of tea at Red Bishop,Panchkula.

With over a 120 films,Sonik-Omi were a formidable team in their days,and they produced some of the best pieces including Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya,Saawan Bhadi,Raftaar,Bhai Ho To Aisa,Dharma et al. But I tell you,it wasnt that easy! Earier,competition was more,but money was less,and the way of working was different, he tells us about the years of struggle,making it into the country from Sialkot as sharanarthi,and then picking up music. My uncle,Manohar Lal Sonik was the first to get into this profession,and as he was visually impaired,I came to Bombay as his eyes, what followed was hardwork,relentless search for work,and working as assistant with Roshan. Being an assistant meant everything! From getting the guru food,fixing a drink lighting a cigarette,arranging music…it was complete seva, a guru-shagird relationship, Sonik adds how it was important to work with someone to gain entry,. unlike today,where anyone can become a music director. New generation is a Convent educated lot who have no clue about language or tradition or diction. They are an English-speaking brigade lost when it comes to Urdu and Hindi, he laughs about the industry succumbing to TRPs and smses. FM radio has overtaken the sales of cassettes,and songs are easily forgotten today,they are just like FMCGs – fast moving consumer goods! he adds. Currently serving as president of Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS),and still not retired as a music director,Sonik feels the lack of genuine people around him. Bappi Lahiri started doing work for as cheap as Rs 5,000! This killed our generation,and whats left is just Ravi,Khayyam and me…no one wants us,we are too old-fashioned! Corporates have entered our world,and so have multiplexes….theres no one like a BR Chopra who has passion and guts to make a film from the heart. Its all a money making gimmick now, hes disheartened. But people like Shankar,Ehsaan,Loy and Pritam manage to bring a smile on his face. At least they are doing some good work…you know,songs are never hit or flop. They are just played over and over again,and makes us addicted to them, Sonik blows off the bubble effect.