Music is part and parcel of any Indian film. An Indian film without any songs is the exception rather than the norm. Songs form another form of narrating the story, one that is interwoven into the film's storyline; situations (e.g. dream sequences and item numbers) are often created to include songs. It is not possible to split a film's screenplay from its tuneful accompaniment. Of course, a film's songs can be enjoyed separately, but the mood of the song is significant and it transports us to the poignant or happy situations like those portrayed on the screen. Does a film's music attribute to a film's box-office performance? If the songs of a film are big hits among listeners, can such recognition account for the film's success? Well, yes and no.
NewGen music director A.R. Rahman is one who gave cinema music a new face. Technology is a big tool for this young composer (who is now 40 plus). Despite the fact that his music takes time to grow on people, currently Rahman is undoubtedly the sensational music director. Starting from *Roja, Bombay, Sivaji, Elizabeth* - *The Golden Age, Bombay Dreams *to* Om Shanthi Om*, this Mozart of Madras has gone places. So many upcoming music directors today follow his footsteps, his techniques. However, in addition to aesthetic satisfaction, there is also a commercial side to the art. Hit music is very important for a mainstream film. The successful audio gives a good opening hype for the film. Every composer, big or small, works hard to compose a good tune. The music that goes out of a composer's studio is always precious to him and is the result of team effort. The compositions go through a set of first-tier listeners comprising the producer, director and the rest of the crew and the impact of the song is almost decided there. How much does a music director's contribute for a film's success? Though the composer is expected to go along with the director's vision, at times he also makes some valuable suggestions. There are places in a movie where a song won't work and there are places especially reserved for soothing numbers. As mentioned earlier, situations like dream sequences and item numbers are often created to include songs. At times, music directors take the liberty to make suggestions and these suggestions work out for the movie's success. Ultimately, music connects audiences to a film and good music never goes unrecognized. Today's audiences have great expectations which keep changing constantly. There is no concrete way to figure them out. That is the reason some songs some of us love do not rise in the popularity charts while other tunes we consider tasteless noisy jingles drive us crazy when they rise in popularity charts and become popular ringtones. True talent is the only way through listeners' hearts. A composer's work gets recognized only if the tunes are good, original and enjoyable. Good music necessarily facilitates the success of the film. And Indian audiences will continue to enjoy song-and-dance routines, sad songs, happy songs, comic songs and of course item songs! http://tamil.galatta.com/entertainment/livewire/id/Are_musicals_still_popular_19283.html -- regards, Vithur ARR in my Heart; His Music in my Blood;
