Transcript Indian Film (Cine) Music Raja Harischandra (1913) Overview • Most films are musicals (have song and dance numbers) • Popular among all castes and.

Indian Film (Cine) Music
Raja Harischandra (1913)
Overview
• Most films are musicals (have song and
dance numbers)
• Popular among all castes and classes and
often cross language barriers
• Many large regional film industries
• Widely disseminated via (pirated)
cassettes
• Films use “playback” singers to record the
songs; the stars lip sync
Lata Mangeshkar
• Playback singer
• Recorded 30,000 songs for more than
2,000 films between 1948 and 1984
• Has sung in more than 20 major Indian
languages
Musical Style
• Blend of Indian and Western elements:
– Instruments: violin, clarinet, conga, sax,
synthesizers, guitars, etc.
– Rhythms: foxtrot, polka
– Harmony (use of chords)
– Melodies mostly diatonic, short phrases
– Form (contrasting sections, lack of
improvisation)
– Homogenous vocal quality
Musical Examples
• Film Bhajan. Combines traditional
devotional song form with Western
characteristics.
• Examples from the 1960s.
2006 Hindi film
History of Indian Film Industry
• Cinema introduced in 1896 by the Lumiere
brothers. Their tour included Bombay
(now, Mumbai).
• 1898 - First Indian films were of theatrical
productions.
• 1912/13 – First feature-length film. Subject
is religious (life of Hindu saint).
• 1931 – First musical
History (cont.)
• Pre-1940s
• actors were classically trained singers and
dancers, greater influence from Indian classical
music tradition, use of “light classical” genres
• Films produced locally, often reflecting reactions
against British colonialism. Some were censored.
• Post-1940s (1947-end of British rule)
• British taxes and censorship forced many smaller
companies out of business
• Replaced by large corporations in Bombay
(“Bollywood”) and Madras, star system
Why Popular?
• Continuity between traditional rural theater
and cinema in themes, style
• Widely disseminated outside of cinema
• Fantasy element serves as escape for
those in severe poverty (escapist?)
• Strong star system
• Genre conducive to incorporation and
blending of various Indian and non-Indian
musics.
• Vijaya Anand examples
“Cooking Up a Song”