World Music Day: Neha Bhasin, Kanika, Amit Mishra, others on trend of reprising songs

It is the time to hum and rejoice as people around the world celebrate World Music Day on this day.

While the world has been busy with evolving music, a new trend has taken a rise in India – the trend of reprising old songs.

Melodies such as ‘Tamma Tamma’, ‘Humma Humma’, ‘Ek Do Teen’, ‘Pehla Nasha’, ‘Gulabi Aankhen’, ‘Tujhse Naaraz Nahi’ and many others have especially come back unabashedly since a few years. But what do Bollywood singers have to say on the same?

‘Swag Se Swagat’, ‘Dul Diyan Gallan’, ‘Asalaam-E-Ishq’, ‘Dhunki’, ‘Kuch Khaas’, ‘Jag Ghoomeya’ singer Neha Bhasin was of the opinion, “Reprising is a trend that is always going to recycle itself, it’s the law of nature what was once born is going to be reborn. Whether it’s reprising of music, fashion food or for that matter anything it’s always going to happens because I think people in the early days were visionary. I believe that it should be done with a little bit of responsibility, if they are doing it. I also feel that you keep the soul, and something that was created alive. I think it’s the trend that is always going to come back. I have a list of folk songs that I have recreated. For me, most of the songs that I have recreated, I love them all.”

Kanika Kapoor, who has given us iconic songs like ‘Baby Doll’, ‘Da Da Dasse’ and ‘Chittiyan Kalaiyaan’, said, “I think sometimes the recreated version is good and appealing enough to have a recall value but sometimes it’s not up to the mark. So it depends. I think the time has changed and for those who are recreating old songs are doing it to cater to the demand of the youth.”

Reewa Rathod, who made her first public performance with Bryan Adams in 2011 and has come out with a song ‘Maula One Above’ penned by Gulzar, mentioned, “Although old music and its lyrics will never loose relevance, I understand the aspect of making it fresh and relevant to younger audiences. It’s a good trend as long as you don’t spoil the original track so that people get to hear the songs lost in time. But what's funny is how youngsters eventually go back to listening to the original and abandon the recreated version!”

‘Kaara Fankaara’ singer Paroma Dasgupta talks, “Old songs are great and we want to keep going back to them all the time and some of the reprised versions are really catchy and fun but overall I think the film makers and music labels must show more faith in original content. I firmly believe a good song can do wonders if promoted well. Otherwise our era will have nothing to show in terms of content.”

‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, ‘Hua Hai Aaj Pehli baar’, ‘Kaun Tujhe’, ‘Teri Saanson Mein’, ‘Teri Meri Kahaani’, ‘Meri Aashiqui’, ‘Jumme Ki Raat’, ‘Laapata’ crooner Palak Muchhal feels, “I see the recreations of old songs as a tribute to the original creators from the younger generation! I feel that recreations are beautiful if the original essence and soul is kept intact. I myself have been a part of few recreations like ‘Pehla Nasha’, ‘Ek Do Teen’ and ‘Mundiyan’ for ‘Baaghi 2’, and they were accepted with all heart by the audience!!”

‘Galti Se Mistake’, ‘Ding Dang’, ‘Sau Tarah Ke’, ‘Radio’ became popular due to Amit Mishra. When asked about recreations, he said, “I guess remake or song rendition should be continued in 2018, because it is a part of a melody that entertains a lot of people. I heard ‘Humma Humma’, ‘Tamma Tamma’, and I think they sang brilliantly. It’s a part of the melody of a composer because people still like it. It’s a time machine for especially independent listener. So I guess remaking has been brilliant. I heard Tanishk Bagchi’s version of ‘Humma Humma’. It was sounding really nice. I guess people like old melodies to be recreated because they enjoy again with the updated sound and upgraded production of music.”

Sanah Moidutty, who gave her voice to ‘Tu Hai’, ‘Afeemi’ and other songs, thinks, “There are two ways you can recreate a song. You can either give it your own touch and flavour and make it your own or you can do something really similar to what’s already there in the track. But whatever done, if it retains the beauty of the original song, and if it brings back good memories to your audience, and if it introduces these songs to youngsters who haven’t probably heard them before, in a nice way, I think these reprised versions really work. So if done correctly, it really is a good trend.”