11.16
( The United States of Bollywood!! – PART2)
THE MUSIC SCENE IN INDIA IS DEAD ….sad but true! Real artistes are 
languishing… solo albums dont sell anymore…thanks to free downloads n internet piracy! Someone once told me …Don’t be a second Lata or Asha…be THE FIRST ALISHA!!! MADE IN INDIA made pop history n after being a pop diva for a decade, there was a slump in the non-film music market , so playback singing was the only choice i was left with…… bollywood musicals killed the solo pop artiste even further!… almost every song is a copied pop video….pretty faces lipsynched to a behind the scene, singer….. milli vanilli pales in comparison to this scam!!!! Welcome to The United States of Bollywood!! You have to kissass, play by their rules, sing for free…. n even thank them for doing you such a favour! The composers are ALL wannabe singers,.they all want to sing the big hits…never mind that they ruin a perfectly good song to mediocrity!!! just in order to get the shows n or make deals with the singers to come on their shows for a pittance…all this for a song!!! Seriously, even I havent been spared of this insult!! Tch…how can any artist worth their salt be inspired or motivated to be a part of a music fraternity that exploits n bullies singers so shamelessly???
Incidentally n ironically i had boycotted bollywood n playback singing for film soundtracks in the past…over copyright issues….all in vain!!! I demanded a fair n equitable share of the music revenues.Please, let me pointout, that the audio n visual impact of a song is an instantaneous, direct connection with the viewer n contribute largely to its success. HERE, THE SINGER IS THE STAR OF THE SONG…TOO!! Why should the stars alone get paid astronomical fees n the singers n composers paid close to nothing?? Its only fair that we get our dues!!!! Take a cue from the west, where singers are bigger stars than actors in that part of the world….ever heard of madonna n michael jackson?! Bollywood movies sell on the strength of the music!!!Lata mangeshkar to this day gets her royalties for playback !! Even AR Rahman has always retained his music copyrights! So why do the indian producers refuse to pay the singers their vocal performance royalties????!! There are no exceptions….the same laws should apply to all the singers n performing artistes…..it is time to change music laws of this country!!!! Bollywood work ethics are one sided n only suits them! The Indian producers should copy only THE GOOD THINGS FROM HOLLYWOOD, and apply same music laws here… wishful thinking !
SORRY….IM NOT SUCCUMBING TO BOLLYWOODS BUREAUCRACY!!! Honestly, I dont know have any social skills to massage Big Bollywood Egos! So, I have been labelled as a stupid, arrogant, temperemental n difficult artist!!! Ha!!…ironic na? Fighting to get a fair share of the revenue earned me no brownie points…you cant fight the system i guess??? If you cant win em….leave em..so i quit for a while…the industry thought i was a finished hasbeen who has happily retired in her ivory tower in Alibaug… Surprise!……I made a comeback in 2006….(psst…. on a friends insistence n for the sheer joy of singing) n performed my hat trick…three megahits, its rocking,no entry n kajrare!!! Ofcourse it pissed me off that Yash Raj Films sent me a cheque of ..inr15000 for Kajrare n no royalties!! That is the sad state of bollywood singers in india! People often ask me why i dont sing much anymore?…hmmm…you have my answer now! Silence sings volumes!! Welcome to the United States of Bollywood where NOTHING EVER CHANGES!!!! DREAM ON….
alisha madam,
Every one giving their comments but i am giving you two
steps which should be followed by you .
1. Learn a lesson from past : Everyone know Diler mehndi .He is a popular punjabi singer but now nothing doing.Why??? Because He made himself a defiant against bollywood.And the main point is he has nothing his own to sing, to make own albums. If you think a change should happen,AT FIRST make a wall of defense, make once again very popular albums and then write and speak whatever you want.On that time every one hear you BECAUSE your song will make your comment”s cost.And the time will come when 50% bollywood think about changing but half bollywood cannot change.And most important is, Attack bravely and say everything in one time because nobody can say what will happen ….
NEXT TIME I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT SECOND STEP.
Thanks Shrikant for your fantastic advice, I really appreciate it.
I am working on step 1.
Awaiting step 2
regards
Alisha
hii alisha ,,
i m ur big fan and had listened to all ur album and songs right from jadoo to singer doll of india.Ur unique voice touches even the ocean of gods and heavens…wish u luck for the future and let te magic continues..
have a great life
Your headline the united states of bollywood!! alisha is cool and I can say that you are smart.
Well the notion of “let the actors act and the singers sing” is only right if the singers are paid what they are worth.
Obviously the singer should be paid for each and every time their song is performed. To do otherwise seems to simply be theft of the artists work/effort/talent.
Of course it does seem obvious that if they who want to use you do not want to pay your price then don’t work for them. Why should you fill their pockets but receive so little compensation for your efforts?
On a personal note:
I’m an American living in America. I’ve only just discovered you and your wonderful voice. I think I will have to learn Hindi so as to know What you are singing
But my inability to understand your non-english lyrics in no way detracts from my enjoyment of your voice and singing.
(Sadly I cannot find where to purchase your albums. I won’t steal your work, so I can only listen to you on your website. I did find a website which will see me mp3′s and claims to pay the artist, but I want the CD’s)
I’m sure that it has been said by people who’s opinion is more important then mine, but I too want to say “You have a lovely voice”.
Also, you’re cute, and based on your blog posts you’re intelligent, opinionated, and a bit cynical. All wonderful qualities
Hello there,
Yeah that’s sadd…but true
But don’t blame just others(Allow me to be little tough on you..Sorry in advance). And frankly that’s sad because no one makes albums like “Made in India” any more.
I don’t listen to Hindi music much but I always keep this album songs with me. Reason ..because it’s good, there is something new in it. Not just the same bollywood sh*t.
Instead of blaming the music industry and internet, start focusing on making good music. Be innovative, try making something good but different.
When I came to your website today. After going through some stuff, I came across a song sung by you “Saawan ka Mahina” and “Aaiye Mehrban”. Do you really thinks that these kind of things make sense? I mean remaking old songs.
Why don’t make something new and good? I don’t know whether these songs are from your old albums or any new has been released. Frankly, this is because there is no information on your website or anywhere on internet about it.
There is practically nothing which can help you on your website. So My suggestion, make good music and use the technology in place for your benefit.
There is very small amount of information about you present on internet. Try to increase that through your website and Is there any channel maintained on youtube.com for you? I guess not cause I didn’t find one.
Nearly every international artist has very good internet presence. If you don’t wanna left behind, do it before its too late. If used in right way, Internet can be a boon for anyone.
Now let me clarify a little. I am not anyone who hates you or your songs, instead I just love your style and voice and I have a ….kind of school boy crush on you
,lol . I am just trying to point out some of the areas where, in my point of view, you’re going wrong. I may be wrong. But If I am right, try to fix those loop holes.
Ohh my good it’s 1:40 in the morning and tomorrow I have exam. So best of luck for your next project and wish me best of luck for my college exam.
Good night
Hi Alisha,
I am a big fan of your independent album work. We need more albums from you. I think piracy and lack of independent albums has made the music scene dependent of films. So I do sympathize with the musicians on the piracy front that limit the extent of your startdom. It will happen with time. But don’t forget that your legacy will be immortal. So go on making those albums. They are priceless.
Anurag
Hi Alisha,
Read about your recent comment on playback singing. I think you are on the right path but I think you should write good songs along with singing and then come with killer videos. As far as acceptance is concerned, If I heard songs like Kajra re and tera hone laga in your album, I would definitely buy them. In fact, any body would. The only reason why certain movies sell is because of good songs like Kajra re. Please concentrate on how these music directors extract such good singing out of you, how such lyricists write such great songs and see how you can do them yourself. Make what you want the country to see. Imagine. Thats the keyword.
And please do not try to recreate the old songs. If possible, collaborate with artists like rahat fateh ali khan. The reason why so many other artists did not survive the music scene was that many tried to ape the west with their styles and had no originality in their talent or voice or even looks for that matter. You have it all darling. Do give in to bollywood. You are and always be a Star.
Cheers
P
Hey Alisha, that’s one hell of a blog…looking forward to seeing you on my show Business of Bollywood (zoom) with the same fire….let’s get this rolling!
Yeah Alisha u r right……….I fully agree with u………Bollywood does’nt gave the singers their right………But hope for the best bcoz
UMEED SE DUNYA BAQI HAI………….and
dont follow the second step of Shrikant…………..lolx
Hi Alisha Jee
I am a big fan of your music since childhood and i loved the ”MADE IN INDIA” song..it was awsome..i remember running around the house on that song i was 3 or 4yrs old at the time…..and even today i love your music just as much…
I am a Pakistani but i love the music across the border..as music has no boundaries..:)
It’s just sad we don’t see you as much on tv anymore..:(…we want you to make a comeback Alisha jee…
tc..:)