November witnessed the third successful edition of the Nokia Music Connects – India Music Forum 2011, which brought together some of the most eminent and influential minds in the Music Industry to discuss issues, concerns and the direction which the Indian Music Industry is poised to take.
Music Industry veteran and IMI/PPL President, Vijay Lazarus in his keynote address during the opening session spoke of the phenomenal increase in revenue generated by the digital medium and how mobile was driving music sales. He also touched on the impact of piracy on declining physical sales, although it still accounted for 55 percent of revenues, while digital brought in 45 percent but was growing at a much faster rate. Mr Jordan Berliant, Manager of Linkin Park agreeing with Mr Lazarus pointed out to the change in consumer behavior, which has seen a shift from purchasing complete albums to purchasing of only tracks they liked. The event also provided a platform for participants to air their views on various topics and issues including piracy, the live music scene, artiste management, internet radio, the potential of various genres of music other than film music including the future of independent artistes and the digital value chain.
November was also the month of Kolaveri di, a Tamil song which has gone viral on You Tube with over 13 million hits. Analysts have probably got their heads in a whirl trying to explain the unprecedented global success of this catchy little tune. What matters however is that it can be done and its there for us to see. So let it be an inspiration to all of us to strive for creativity and originality.
This month we have posted an article on plagiarism which sadly is a common practice in the Indian Film Industry. Needless to say this shameful practice is a blot on the pace of the Music Fraternity and should be condemned with every means available to us. It is a good thing that the Judiciary has taking note of this fact and awarded punitive damages in a number of recent cases. We hope that the Music Fraternity too has woken up to this fact. If you plagiarize you too can be plagiarized, it’s a matter of putting yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Last month we lost yet another leading musician. Acclaimed sarangi player and classical singer, Ustad Sultan Khan passed away at the age of 71, after a prolonged illness. The maestro who was equally comfortable with classical and fusion had collaborated and performed with top international aristes including George Harrison and Pt Ravi Shanker and was a member of the world music band, Tabla Beat Science which included Zakir Hussain and producer Bill Laswell. Winner of several awards including the Padma Bhushan, Ustad Sultan Khan’s soulful voice rendition of his hits like Albela Saajan Ayo Re and Piya Basanti Re, will be remembered long after he has gone. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
How time flies, 2011 is nearing its end though Christmas and New Year festivities are yet to come. The annual Sunburn Festival one of the biggest electronic dance music festival takes place in the last week of this month. Sunburn has been getting an enthusiastic response from both local and international fans. Last year’s attendee count was almost 50,000 and the 2011 edition is expected to be just as big or even bigger.
Finally on behalf of all of us here at IMI, I would like to wish you all Merry Christmas and A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year.