Before being honoured with the National Award for the song Yeh moh moh ke dhage, Monali Thakur tells Shrabasti Mallik that new software and sound producing machines are enhancing the quality of music
How did the song Ye moh moh ke dhage happenIJ
Anu ji composed it and we met at a party in a hotel and then he told me, ‘I have a song for you and you have to sing it.’ I immediately said yes. After that, I got no word from him. He got in touch with me after three months and we talked and then he played the melody for me. It was one of the most beautiful melodies I had heard in the longest time. We recorded it at Yash Raj Studios. Arun Grover was not there but he had written the lyrics and I was in awe of the song. That is how it all happened.
Being from a musical background did you ever feel a pressure of having to excel in the fieldIJ
My family does not just have a musical background but an academic one, too. My father, Shakti Thakur, has been a chemistry HOD. There is a lot of academic pressure in a Bengali family (laughs). I actually started my vocal training quite later in life when I was in the ninth standard whereas people start learning from quite an early age when they are kids. I had learnt by listening to my dad and sister but my family also has a strong theatrical background. So I really have never faced any pressure of sorts in my life. I have always been a free bird and that is why I am one of the luckiest kids possible. I had an extremely supportive family — emotionally and in many which ways. So yeah, I don’t think I was pressurised. I did it all because I loved it.
What would you say about the change that has come in the Indian music industry — in terms of sound, lyrics and talentIJ
Sound wise, it is great and is improving not only here but also all over the world because of digital mediums. New music softwares and machines are making it all the more possible. It is because of sound producing machines that the sound has become more clear. It is extremely important to know production these days — it changes the game altogether.
As of lyricists, there are wonderful lyricists so they can work out amazing stuff. But yes, they are trying. And if you focus on rap, people are trying to be crass. But I think the day they become absolutely real and handle it with dignity then it should solve the problem. It should not be disgusting. Even if you wear short clothes it can look beautiful and appealing in a nice way. And even if you are fully clothed you can still look vulgar. It goes both ways. Nothing should be pretentious.
Earlier musicians and singers had albums but that is not there anymore. Why do you think this isIJ
That was because of piracy. labels did not know how to earn their money back and now they figuring it out. It is not easy but they are figuring it out.
Today a lot of filmmakers are picking up songs that are already successful and using them in their films. What do you perceive if thisIJ Are we lacking in talentIJ
No its not like that. See if a good composition has proven successful in the past, why won’t they pick that upIJ Justify that first. The old songs which are already established are called reviving songs. There are so many sounds coming up. So if makers are reviving a few of them why should there be a problemIJ They are doing it in a new way. See, if today you have a heritage building, you cannot demolish it just because it is old. It’s a good thing to reproduce the song.
There is this new trend of actors lending their own voice to the songs. Does that in any way overshadow playback singers or is it a good influx of talentIJ
No, I don’t see it like that at all. As I believe that if there is a talent, then express it. Yes, I agree that it is not possible for an ordinary girl to get a chance to sing in Bollywood but it is easier for actors to sing in a movie. This doesn’t mean that they are singing it badly. Without talent if they are singing, then it’s unfair.