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SPICY BITES

Of talent hunts, empty promises and an ailing music industry

Arts and Entertainment Desk
The Close-Up 1 competition was the pioneer of its kind in the country, seeking out fresh singing talents from the grassroots level. Several youths — who emerged from the competition — are now busy recording artistes, while a few of them have also fallen to oblivion. Among those who have made a mark in the music industry are Rinku, Muhin, Kishore, Putul, Pulok and Lisa. Recently, The Daily Star hosted an 'adda'with these young artistes. Here are the highlights from the 'adda':
The Daily Star (TDS): Often the champions or the runner-ups of a talent hunt fall to make major Impacts on the audio market. Why Is
Pulok: Most of those who emerged from the Close-Up 1 competition are thriving at the moment.
Kishore: The struggles of staying afloat in the entertainment industry is different than other hardships. Some win the fight, some lose. I believe we didn't get lost and are continuing our individual battles. Hopefully, in the end, we will emerge victors.
Rinku: The competition only provides a platform to the artiste, but the rest needs to be done by each individual. Cementing one's place in the industry and also in the hearts of listeners is up to every singer.
Putul: The question was regarding the audio market. But it's unfortunate that at the time of our emergence, the industry was struggling. I think the downturn in audio market still contin-
ues. In this dire time, even the senior artistes are reluctant to release new albums.
Rinku: However, the existing crisis hasn't stopped us. We continue to make albums and also appear on TV programmes.
Putul: We have all released albums and continue performing live on stage. In that sense, we can be considered as successes.
Rinku: The Close-Up 1 contestants are all busy with playbacks and live shows. We have all managed to attain good positions in the industry. No matter where a programme takes place in the country, at least one Close-Up star gets called.
Putul: It will be wrong to say people have forgotten us. Thousands, who voted for us during the competition,
still remember us.
TDS: Even though the music industry is going through a rough patch, If the songs are good, people surely will listen. Right?
Kishore: Definitely. From my experience, I've seen that the combination of good tunes and lyrics is always a winner. I'm saying that based on what I've seen on TV shows (live) and at concerts. I believe talent hunts did our country a great favour by revitalising public interest in Bangla music, beating out the rampant influence of Hindi songs. Although Hindi songs are still here, its influence has gone down.
Muhin: It's true that we have been able to reclaim the glory of Bangla music — even if it's not on a major scale. This was possible because we sang the classics originally recorded by
acclaimed artistes. But now it's our turn to sing our own songs and popularise them — a task which will surely take time. Our senior artistes also did not come into fame suddenly; they worked hard for it. It's only been 4-5 years since the talent hunt. More time will be needed to build our careers.
Pulok: Those of us present here today have been able to release audio albums that have become hits. Our original numbers have earned popularity. If we produce good music, the albums are bound to sell.
TDS: Organisers and mentors on talent hunts often make promises to young artistes that they'll provide assistance during the formative period In the music industry. Do they follow through?
Rinku: Usually that doesn't happen.
Muhin: Such promises are not discussed later.
Rinku: Once the competition is over, everything else is over as well. It's good if a young artiste has a guide when he/she is trying to break through. But still, people's love allowed me to release several albums.
TDS: Growing up, did you all receive music lessons?
Rinku: Those of us present here have been singing since childhood. Practice can help hone one's skills.
Lisa: I think music lessons are necessary to survive in these competitive
TDS: We hear that album sales are falling, as tracks are being uploaded on the Internet as soon as an album is released. If that is true, then how do the artistes survive?
Rinku: Suppose an album is produced at the cost of Tk 1.5 lakh, we are offered only Tk 50,000 with good publicity promises. This is how the audio industry works.
Kishore: Record labels complain to us that piracy is pulling down sales. Many artistes are forced to cut albums for free. A singer needs to make money off his/her albums to survive.
Muhin: Previously, there would be contracts that gave the singers around Tk 3 lakh out of a Tk 5 lakh album budget. But now we are neither properly patronised, nor do we have any such agreement.
Putul: If you ask how we are surviving, I have to say it's because of live shows on TV and stage performances.
TDS: What is the biggest problem plaguing the audio industry right
Pulok: Audio piracy is the biggest evil
Muhin: As far as I know, an antipiracy drive began under the leadership of the late Colonel Gulzar and it had some success. The audio industry regained its footing at that time — rekindling hopes. A similar drive needs to be initiated as soon as possible.
Kishore: The government needs to step up its efforts to stop piracy.
Rinku: Audio industry has many problems, but it is piracy that needs to be stopped immediately. A lot of problems will be solved once it's done.
Lisa: We want the government to come forward and save the industry by stopping piracy.
Putul: All problems will not be solved overnight. But piracy is the root of all problems. Both artistes and the government will have to work together to tackle the crisis.