Indian music has come a long way. Music in India has evolved under three significant periods, namely ancient, medieval, and modern. Like the food and dialect, music changes in every region of India; one prime specialty of the Indian music culture! As a result, the country has its musical influence in every corner of the nation.
The Two Broad Faces of Indian Music
The two specific well-known music types in India are the Hindustani and the Carnatak (a.k.a. sangeet ke prakar). Although people from the North might not listen to them much, as their musical background is completely different. These two ways are what we call classical diversification.
Steering from ancient Indian music towards a modern sound…
India is the only country where music has so many different faces. Since the ’90s, ‘legit artist’ recognitions came for the Indian artists because of these three significant aspects – record labels, television, and profound vocalists. Indian music embraced pop music culture in the late ’90s. Indian pop is well known as modern Indian music. The industry itself started becoming more diverse since the ’90s.
Contrasting colours of music from the ’90s to ‘2000s
The peculiar example of an evolving trend is how Asian underground & Bhangra, Bollywood reprise, dance music, and Indian rock started becoming listeners’ favourites since the ‘2000s. With television broadcasting, everyone was able to see their favourite artist on the screen.
The primary appearance of Indie was seen through the rock bands, who were creating western music in India, and it led to an increasing fan base taking after over dialects and locales.
Over time, there have been eight up & coming trendsetters in India’s musical scene. Here they are.
1. The growth of the internet and online music streaming
The nation is progressing towards an all-new musical horizon. Bollywood soundtracks create 80% of the country’s music revenue for movies.
Online music streaming has taken over the traditional music streaming ways with the help of fast-paced technology. The rapid surge of internet usage is leading to a massive outbreak of online streaming services in the Indian market.
2. Podcasts and regional artists in the limelight
Despite the setback since 2020, and 2021 being a grim year, music proved to be a healer and a much-needed source of entertainment.
Audio podcast content has emerged as a new way to reach your audience and delight consumers with screen-less entertainment. As a result, consumption of podcasts grew by 40 percent Y-O-Y. since 2021.
Covid-19 has led people to listen to more motivational podcasts, retro stories, and regional artist solos.
Podcast marketing will see a boost in 2022. In 2022, we expect podcasters and companies to continue to seek ways to communicate with their listeners and learn more about what they want to hear, what they enjoy and don’t like about the series, what they would alter, and so on.
3. The digital trend is welcoming people in their fifties, sixties, and seventies
Until recently, only youngsters were passionate about technology, and “people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s” were not that familiar with online streaming platforms.
Perhaps due to the gigs and public performances not happening that often, everyone has shifted their interest towards online music consumption.
Sync licensing is the answer to connect with these online streaming platforms.
4. Spotify is becoming a game-changer for free artists to develop their fan base
Spotify is the biggest online streaming platform for music in the world. It has completely changed the industry and helped the music industry grow.
Spotify’s 30-Second Algorithm Rule
The initial 30 seconds of a track matter to Spotify more than anything else. If the listener gets past it, check your track – that’s a cheerful bit of information.
Spotify’s 30-second algorithm is crucial for artists and you can rank up easily and be recommended further with the same.
5. Music NFT marketplace for musicians
The music industry has undergone many changes over the years, from records, tapes, compact cassettes, music tapes, and compact discs since the twentieth century to downloadable streaming platforms (DSPs).
There is a close connection between music and NFT. Adding up to your knowledge,
NFTs(Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique assets stored and tradeable on a blockchain, wherein artists get to sell restricted digital content to their fans who pay via crypto. That’s just a technical innovation that shall help a lot.
Independent artists in India can now monetize their valuable content with this advantage. Album selling, beat selling and merchandise selling is possible through the NFT framework. You can create, buy, sell and earn with your music NFTs.
6. Breakout Artists can stand a chance to collab with movie soundtracks and OTT
Netflix and other video streaming services collaborate with well-known artists to create their movie soundtracks. In addition, the growing number of indie film production companies impacts artists’ projects.
The best example is Shehnaaz Gill, a former Bigg Boss contestant, and the famous YouTuber Yashraj Mukhate who have recently collaborated over a duo track ‘Boring Day‘; a Hindi song on YouTube that is viral on social media.
The above example explains how artists can go on for many years after their music is liked and make waves on the Internet, and also catch the attention of the top music companies in India.
We believe 2022-23 will be the era of the flourishing digital music industry, and creativity will be the new oil.
7. The sync deals continue to increase; Spotify, YT Music, and iTunes are top destinations for music listeners
Digital music platforms have replaced recorded music, cassettes & music CDs. 2022 will be a more digital year than ever.
Sync deals can help independent artists to work with music labels and catch gazing fame in no time. A musician can license their music as well as any images or videos.
8. Cross-cultural collaborations are bringing fresh and beautiful musical compositions
Collaborating artists from particular industries are introducing various factors from their respective cultures that merged and led to fresh, stunning creations.
Lucky Ali’s collaboration with Israeli singer Eliezer Cohen Botzer resulted in their second soulful single, Amartya.
One such movie turned into the musical romantic-drama in Rockstar in which Oscar-triumphing singer-composer & top music director in India AR Rahman collaborated to compose the track for the movie.
In addition, Chammak Challo from Ra One has become a spontaneous hit after its release, with the collaboration of the Senegalese-American singer Akon in it.
Indian music making it into the global scene very shortly is now visible.
Globally surging Indian music, the increasing awareness, and widespread influence are worth noticing.
Foreigners in large numbers are now coming to India to work with Indian music. As a result, the Indian music industry may also quickly go into the global limelight, giving our country a unique face.
Music is essential in our lives; it puts calmness and harmony into every possible mood. Listening to music is fun as well as therapeutic.
Generically, music relaxes the mind creating mindfulness and an aura of emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. No matter how many good songs are there in the world, every piece carries a sound healing therapy.
The ‘Voice of God’, ‘India’s Nightingale’ Lata Mangeshkar leaves us with a beautiful message: “एक गायक की भावनाएं ही उसके संगीत का मूल आधार बनती है“
Written by Ashay Chandekar from Deshpee. Images have the copyrights of the respective sources.
