The Decline of Bollywood Music: Why New Songs Are Overloaded with Remixed Punjabi and Vulgar Lyrics

With the rise of social media and the increasing influence of various regional music trends, particularly Punjabi and Urdu, many traditional Bollywood songs are struggling to maintain their relevance. This shift brings to light a range of issues, from the misuse of lighting in video songs to the overemphasis on party music and low-quality production.

The Use of Lighting in Bollywood Songs: An Aesthetic Disgrace

The misuse of lighting in many Bollywood songs is a significant issue. Bright and excessive lighting, often added just in front of the camera or thrown on the lens, is not only visually annoying but also impacts the overall quality of the video. Instead of the intended lens flare effect, the oversaturation of light often makes it difficult to see the performers, diminishing the artistic value of the song. For instance, rather than enhancing the ambiance and creating a magical atmosphere, it results in a queer and often distracting visual experience.

Youngster Preferences and the Dark Side of Bollywood

The current trend among the younger generation is towards explicit, high-volume party songs that are often remixed with Punjabi or Urdu lyrics. However, these types of lyrics and the style of singing that lacks depth, such as the 'lazily sung' Arijit Singh type, dominate the scene. While these songs may fulfill the immediate entertainment needs of a certain demographic, they offer little to no intellectual or emotional value.

Literature Value and Core Music Skills

The decline in the quality of Bollywood songs can also be attributed to a lack of literature value and core music skills. In earlier times, songs were a manifestation of poetic talent and storytelling that resonated with audiences. Writers had extensive reading habits, and there were plenty of musicians and lyricists who were well-practiced and skilled. Today, the focus has shifted towards instant success and mass appeal, often at the expense of quality.

Why Are Remixes, Vulgar Songs, and Overuse of Punjabi Dominating?

The prevalence of remixes, vulgar lyrics, and overuse of Punjabi in Bollywood songs can be understood through several factors:

Trend and Inertia

In every era, Bollywood follows a prevalent trend. There was a phase when Bengali songs were immensely popular, but now it is the era of Punjabi and remixes. To cutting costs and ensure commercial success, music directors and producers often recreate popular Punjabi songs and remixes, riding on already established formulas. This leads to a cyclical pattern where one type of song becomes dominant, and the industry caters to it, even when the content falls short of artistic standards.

Consumer Demand

The oversupply of remixes and Punjabi songs is also driven by a high demand from the audience. These types of music are popular because people want to purchase and enjoy them. The cycle of supply and demand ensures that such songs continue to dominate the market, leading to a decline in the overall quality of music.

Economic Factors

Ultimately, the driving force behind the trend is money. It is easier for producers to recycle popular songs rather than invest time and resources into creating unique and high-quality content. This ensures quick financial returns but at the cost of artistic integrity and innovation.

Pressure on Music Directors

The increasing number of movies being produced every year adds immense pressure on music directors to produce quantity over quality. Limited time and resources often mean that they resort to simpler, more cost-effective methods to meet production demands, resulting in a decline in the overall quality of music.

While not every song is as problematic as others, it is clear that there is a significant need for improvement in the quality of Bollywood music. Effort and dedication from filmmakers, producers, and musicians can help restore the artistic excellence that once defined Bollywood music.

Further discussion on this topic can be found in the following article:

Sristi Priya’s Article on the Quality of Bollywood Songs