Gathering the Light

Bollywood films have always been a huge part of Indian culture. These films traditionally feature different aspects of India, its culture, and religion. One way Indian culture is represented in these films is through the unique music numbers.  Over time, Bollywood films and music have become more modernized due to the effect of westernization. Filmmakers adopt different Western traditions in order to please foreign audiences, rather than their original Indian audience. Bollywood music now contains more modern themes and even uses the English language, making it less relatable for Indians. Indian filmmakers must not neglect tradition and succumb to westernization in order to keep the Indian culture alive in Bollywood films and their music.

It is important for Hindi filmmakers to continue tradition because of Indian history. Indian cinema was born during the nation’s struggle against British colonialism. India’s film industry freed itself from “the shackles of foreign influence” and strived to create films that would help India define its own cultural identity (Rao 58) []. For many years, filmmakers continued to create classic films that were aimed to define India’s unique, independent culture. The following video is a good example of classical Bollywood music:

The song, “Ketaki Gulab Juhi,” comes from the 1956 film, Basant Bahar. This number features classical vocal music and also incorporates India’s unique culture by the use of traditional instruments. Unlike some modern films, this classic strictly uses Hindi language and features traditional Indian practices. This and other classic films helped define Indian culture rather than using influences from other foreign places.

A more modern example of traditional Bollywood is Vivaah (2006). The film focused on arranged marriage and the importance of daughters to the family. The film portrays several examples of well-cultured Indian families, proving that Indian culture can still be represented in film regardless of the changing times (Westernization Ruining Bollywood?). The following video is a musical number from the film:

This song and others from the Vivaah soundtrack feature a full orchestra combined with traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar, sarod, violin, dholak, and tabla. The male and female vocalists traditionally take turns singing in order to help narrate the story and only use Hindi lyrics.

Songs contribute as much as 15 percent of a Hindi film’s earnings. Because of this, filmmakers look for more contemporary music and lyrics in order to appeal to the younger audience, who make up about 30 percent of the population (Ians). The 2011 film, Luv Ka The End, appealed to a younger audience and contained themes much different than those used in traditional Hindi films. In order to accompany these newer themes, the film’s soundtrack is much more modernized than classic Bollywood music. “Cinema is also changing. We don’t have the kind of cinema anymore where a girl is yearning for a boy. The whole system of filmmaking is changing. As the language and the fabric of films are changing, it is obvious that the music will change,” said composer, Shamir Tandon (Ians). The following video is a track from the movie, Luv Ka The End:

The song, “Freak Out,” is almost completely different from classic Bollywood music. In this song, male and female vocalists interact, a common technique used in Bollywood film music. Unlike traditional music, this song and many others featured in the film are a lot more rock-based. More contemporary compositions such as rock are given priority to attract the younger audience but they rarely depict India’s unique culture.

Music is used in Bollywood films to help tell the story. In modern films, English is sometimes spoken or featured in the songs. In more recent Bollywood films such as Tashan and Kismat Konnection, songs feature both English and Hindi lyrics. In “Dil Dance Maare Re” from Tashan, Hindi and English words are used interchangeably throughout the song:

English does not serve much of a purpose in Bollywood music. The use of the English language in Hindi makes it difficult for Indian audiences to relate to the film. Although many Indians adopt English as a second language, Bollywood music should honor tradition and strictly use Hindi lyrics.

Although Bollywood will continue to evolve, it is important that Indian tradition is still kept. More filmmakers are interested in what will satisfy foreign audiences or younger audiences. When combining too many Western influences with classic Bollywood film and music, Indian culture and traditions are often lost. The desire for more western-like themes in Bollywood films directly affects the music. The music of Bollywood must refrain from total change because it is such an important part of Indian culture and tradition.

Works Cited