Our musicians are belting out noisy and distasteful music: Mohsin Raza

Veteran music director sheds light on the dilemmas of present day Pakistani music

LAHORE: Lollywood films may have become a thing of the past, but what still remains relevant is the music which has continued to be an inspiration for the current generation of singers, music composers and producers. This is all the more reason veteran music composer and director Mohsin Raza felt the need to express his distaste towards the present state of the music industry in Pakistan.

“Instead of producing sweet melodies, our musicians are belting out noisy and distasteful music that is not appreciated by music lovers,” he tells The Express Tribune. Having received the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance Award for his five-decade-long contribution to music, Raza was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz last week. He finds it heartbreaking that musicians today have chosen to take the wrong track for their work and are composing songs that are below par.



“Pakistan is enriching with talent in terms of music production but singers are just not producing good music anymore. This is extremely saddening because there was a time when amazing work was being done in the industry. We have everything in our films, dramas and videos but there is so much lacking in our music,” adds Raza.

He has composed music for over four thousands songs, ghazals, Sufi music, dramas and radio programmes and is still working towards producing quality music. His super hit ghazals and songs include Niyat-e-Shauq Bhar Na Jaye Kahin, Main Tere Sung Kaise Chaloon Sajna, Roshan Meri Aankhon Mein Wafa Ke Jo Diye Hain and Teray Pyaar Mein Ruswa Ho Kar. Yesteryear singers such as Madam Noor Jehan and Mehdi Hassan have lent their voices to Raza’s music as well.

According to Raza, the biggest problem is that today’s songs are lacking elements of Pakistani culture. “In the past, glimpses of our culture were present in our music, including light, folk and traditional music. Crisis in the industry cannot be blamed for low quality work,” he said. “Songs such as Sone Di Tavitri and Mahi Awey Ga Te Phulan Naal Dharti Sajawan Gi are proof that good songs can be produced in bad time. If you look at Bollywood songs, most of them contain elements of their culture. Our musicians need someone to guide them. It is my request to all artists to adopt new things, but not neglect their culture while doing so.”



Raza feels it is pertinent for all artists to gain proper education in music before starting off their careers.

“Artists should keep in mind that music is food to a soul. People listen to music for relaxation. I have been in the industry for five decades and I have witnessed singers become famous through struggling and hard work. No one works hard anymore,” he states. He also feels there is a dearth of good lyric writers in the music industry today.

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