For years, the typical scenario for an average Bangali woman portrayed her as a meek housewife dedicated to sell her soul for the wellbeing of her family. Soon, this image evolved into that of a caring mother and an earning wife, balancing between her home and career. When it came to cultural affiliations, our society could only imagine a classical singer or dancer. 21st century introduced more dynamic changes where women were stepping out of the typical musical scenarios and experimenting with non-classical genres. This, ladies and gentlemen, was the age of girl rockstars!
However, taking all the optimism aside, for the avid observer, has the music industry actually made room for female musicians. Where we have inspiring examples set by Krishnakali, Anusheh, Elita, Roma, Mila, Anila and Punam (to mention a few) who cater to pop, folk fusion or alternative genres; we also have a definite deficiency of the ‘complete musician’ in a woman.
“There are very few women in the music scene, especially in the administrative sector as well as instrumental accompaniments. Most female singers are very dependent on the support of their band members, who are almost always male. There is no doubt being a female will get a certain amount of attention in the media. The band may devour the popularity at first, but later, be bitter about it,” says one of upcoming female talents. “There isn’t any doubt that men who are producers and instrumentalists help build a female vocalist's career. Unfortunately, sometimes their support tends to be strictly musical. In some cases, when a female vocalist is emerging, her band mates themselves are the ones pulling her back down.”
In many cases, nevertheless, although the band members are very supportive, society seems to cling onto the impression of the female vocalist to represent the band. They are treated as solo performers, placed under a ‘special’ spotlight and sometimes, gaining popularity in a fortnight simply because they’re women.
“If a girl is the lead vocalist of a band, she is treated as the frontman and regarded as a solo performer. However, there is a difference between a band and a solo performer,” says Elita Karim from Raaga. “When someone is going solo, say for example Fuad, he isn’t only dealing with the vocals. He is also the producer and deals with other aspects of the song. A band comprises of several people, who each contribute to the music it creates. When the vocalist is a guy, the band is treated as a complete band. For example, Cezanne usually speaks for Artcell, although he is the drummer. I think this attitude needs to change.”
It’s about time attitudes need to change both at social and individual levels. Although women have taken a substantial step ahead in the music industry and in a society where patriarchy prevails; a revolution is yet to come.
“Female musicians are being listened to a lot more than before. If we could keep up the pace and goodwill, it really wouldn't be far away when we would be treated as equals,” says Sahana Bajpaie Chowdhury, whose sensuous vocals have brought Tagore home to this generation. She adds with a note of hope and glint of pride, “The vocalist of Bangla, Ms. Anusheh Anadil proves this. She not only has been the voice of the band Bangla, but also the voice for Bangladesh when the band performed in the VOICE AGAINST POVERTY Concert, in Rostock, Germany in June 2007.”
Yet, women are held back from being ‘complete musicians’, developing both instrumentally and in terms of production. Somehow, their voices are less dominant than on stage when it comes to writing the lyrics or arranging the song.
“Our society has existing concepts of developing a girl’s cultural sides by sending her to an ustaad to learn singing, whereas the boy is learning guitars or other instruments,” says Elita. “In the long run, it is seen that the more popular male musicians are not only vocalists, but are producers and instrumentalists. It’s not because they’re men that they’re popular; but simply because they are well-rounded and talented musicians. A girl lags behind because of her dependency on others for producing or composing her song.”
“Apart from that, we are not in a Western society,” adds another local artist. “Men get more opportunities to travel, work late nights and give it their 110% artistically, while women are still struggling with barriers from other directions. Regardless of how credible they are, they are subject to public gossip about her reputation. People may love the girl's guts, but are more willing to backbite about her. Besides men, women also tend to have jealous instincts towards those beautiful and courageous women who are giving it their best to achieve their goals in any field. This is a huge barrier for any woman who wants to go for the fame and fortune, as she must first and foremost digest the nasty comments and rumours she will definitely have to face.”
In the end, beyond all the controversies, criticisms and obstructions lay a glimmer of sanguinity. Sahana with an undertone of optimism says, “As a woman, I would really like to see female singers bringing out more original songs. Songs that are written and composed by them, songs that talk about them as women and how they relate to their surroundings. Mostly songs that don’t only talk about pangs of being jilted in love or excited about being in love or searching for true love. A woman's voice is stronger than that. Her feelings and sensitivity go far beyond her relationship with a man. It’ll be great to see songs where we speak of our true and deeper feelings. It's high time our society realizes we are not all about beauty parlours, dresses, Barbie dolls, soft toys, chocolates, love and tears. Music speaks louder than anything else. Hence, music could bring in the change in terms of how we are viewed, scrutinized, judged and subjugated.”
Published on 06/03/2008 in Rising Stars
0 comments:
Post a Comment