Sound of Modernity: Evolution of Bollywood Film Song

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Sound of Modernity: Evolution of Bollywood Film Song

            The first style of music that formed the basis for Indian film music was characterized by choruses in theaters, which were performed by girls and accompanied by brass instruments. It contained a classical narrative that was interrupted by the vocal rendition of the girls. The music did not have many instruments except the brass accompaniments and did not have a rhythmic style as that of the western culture as it constituted solely of the Indian culture. However, one thing that made it what it is today is its ability to reinvent itself through responding according to what is a hit in the market. The nature of the music, which is an incorporation of different cultures, is welcoming to other external factors and engages other cultures.

Its ability to encompass other musical cultures has led to its evolving into a global art since it incorporates music from all over the world. It has taken three stages to evolve to its current level over the twentieth century, mainly due to its readiness to embrace other styles from other countries. The first stage of the evolution was during the time radio was popular at around  1930s and 1940s, when they broadcasted popular songs more than the other classical and folk songs. During this time, Boral brought musical instruments from the western culture, such as the organ and the piano and incorporated them into the film orchestra, and more to that he was the one responsible for introduction of new musical techniques in the film ‘Vidyapati’ in 1937, which was the first of its kind that used western style and techniques. This brought a new kind of music that was hard to be imitated by other musicians from elsewhere. Director Anil Biswas had to carry with him instrument players who were conversant with the western instruments since he was not sure that he would find some in Bombay. Boral is regarded as the man who laid the base for other musicians to draw from in evolving the Indian music into a popular culture. It is appreciated that it is during this time that the Indian music was influenced by western music.

Another stage of evolution for the Indian music into modernization was during the 1960- 1970s. Songs such as ‘Roop tera mastana’ translating to “Your beauty is intoxicating,” done by Aradhana, in 1969 and Yaadon ki baraat, “The procession of memories,” from Husain, brought another version. They brought in another version of sexuality, pleasure, and desire through incorporating new styles of body movement and brought new voice singing that was different from the formal constrained singing. This brought another definition of modernity to the Indian culture. In this second revolution, names prominent were Kishore Kumar and Rahul Dev Burman, which made the end of the golden age and a new era requiring new kind of music that was faster, louder and direct. The two rose to this task, as they did not mind defying traditions to pursue this goal. This revolution of Kishore and RD that was the end of the golden required that ‘filmigit’ would always have to keep evolving as influenced by the global changes and developments in music. The second revolution was in response to pop and rock music, which was replaced by disco in the late 1970s.

After the second revolution, other stars came to respond to the new taste that was in hit. Rahman is one musician who has changed the style of the second revolution. He is regarded as having changed the sound of music in the films. This has been largely due to his studies in Oxford, where he studied western classical music. He has incorporated it in the films, which has changed their meaning. His music is of the computer age since he uses the modern technology of computers to compose and record songs. He is open-minded in his songs as he incorporates many genres of music from all over the world and still maintains the Hindi tradition, defining Bollywood as a hybrid of many cultures today.

The Bollywood journey into modernity and as a way of expressing a global culture has been achieved through incorporating other music genres into it, hence creating a diverse song that has a taste of many cultures. This makes it international since many can appreciate its diversity and openness to embrace other cultures.