Technology has made music more accessible: Rahman

Musician feels that digitisation has simplified the process of making music.

KOLKATA: Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman is a firm believer in the amalgamation of technology and talent. The maestro asserts that the Indian music industry is reaping the benefits of digitisation, as opposed to believing in the notion that technology has negative effects.

Set to enthrall audiences in Kolkata, the first city on his month-long Rahmanishq tour that begins on Tuesday, Rahman is in favour of digitisation sweeping the music industry. He asserts that it has not only made music of all forms accessible to listeners, but has also simplified the process of making music for composers.

“Hordes of music purists love to spend endless hours going on and on about how the age of digital music has completely ruined the art form, and that real music only exists in small, underground scenes,” said Rahman. “However, the reality stands that thanks to these technological breakthroughs, for both the music fan and the music-maker, the creative process and the act of listening to music are now easier, less constrained and more accessible than ever before.”

“We are living in a society that is dominated by digital age. So it is a natural progression that almost every element beautifully syncs together. We need to move beyond album covers,” he added.

In praise of youngsters making it big in the industry, the prolific composer, however, was wary of the “congestion” that has crept into the industry. “It’s great to see many young guns taking the lead and creating music that was unknown at one point of time… [But] I feel there’s congestion,” he said. “Almost anybody can sing and it’s done like a fad rather than with dedication. Songs don’t have an identity and you feel like who just sang that song? He sounds like someone else.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2013.

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