making music
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As an Indian artiste, singer Abhijeet loathes the fact that Pakistani singers, who are allowed free access into India, make all their music — and money — in Mumbai and go back to pay taxes in Pakistan. He also hates the fact that while Indian artistes aren’t allowed to perform shows in Pakistan, artistes from across the border are happily doing so many live shows in India. So he’s happy that the MNS is picking up these artistes in Mumbai and forcing them to go back to Pakistan. On the face of it, you want to catch hold of Abhijeet’s ear and reprimand him. Isn’t culture, after all, supposed to transcend all barriers? And of course, a majority of his contemporaries will be giving TV bytes and print interviews condemning him of such outlandish remarks. But trust me, just switch off the dictaphone and you’ll end up hearing very similar remarks from other musicians and singers too. Some years ago, I attended a press conference for a music show which showcased artistes from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Since I was attending the conference as a friend of one of the bands, I was personally happy to hear positive remarks on how Pakistani artistes should be encouraged to visit India, perform and release audio cassettes and CDs through Indian companies. The bands shook hands, hugged each other while camerapersons clicked away happily. They shared jokes, exchanged numbers and had a hearty lunch with each other. So art really could bring countries together, I wondered, happy to see my friends who had made their ”new” friends so comfortable. Conference over, my pals (including a lead singer from a well-known Indi-pop bands) decided to spend some more time in the hotel’s coffee shop and have their own little party. And that’s when the ground reality left me stumped: “These Pakistani artistes… they come here, eat our market, our music companies sign them on… ab dekhna boss, T Series hamara album Adnan Sami ke baad hee release hoga… (just wait and watch, T-Series will release our album only after Adnan Sami’s released his). These #$%@!$^ shouldn’t be allowed access into India… humko Pakistan mein jakar live shows karne denge ye log? (will they let us go and perform live shows in Pakistan?) Kabhi nahi (never). These guys come to India, make money, get fame and then proceed to get noticed internationally.” The rant went on and on, till our coffees went cold and soft drinks, warmer… I’d never seen my friend so angry and I thought Abhijeet had finally found another voice to join his “ban Pakistani artistes” club. The next morning, my friend was quoted in a leading newspaper’s city supplement. “We are like brothers. I’m happy our Pakistani friends have come to India to perform with us. I look forward to creating music with them.” Some music, this. |
(19 votes, average: 4.11 out of 5)
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February 5th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Guitar riffs on Colonel Bogey’s March, that should do it
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Abhilasha, the pakistani artists may be addressing a need for music that is not being addressed locally. Also, their performances give work to people in india as already noted by Arpan. If its a matter of taxes on their earnings, then its the shortcomings of our government to let them return with the money without paying their dues. They should be taxed and a TDS certificate given - if the Pakistani government does not honor that, then tough luck for the artists … let them fight their govt. rather than us worry about that. If today, these Indian artists were allowed to go to Pakistan for shows, would they actually go? If yes, then the Indian artists need to work with the Indian govt. to open that door for them - again, its partly a failing of the Indian govt. to allow others in, but not work hard enough to open doors for our people.
January 29th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Music is obsession.
Knows no borders, is beyond even the stars
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Is there no way that Indian Tax Department implement TDS on them??? When our people go to US and work, they pay local taxes as well as face further cuts as the money is transferred into India.
We need to get atleast a share if we are allowing them to perform in our country. If I had my way- we should not allow them to perform unless they have a work permit for India…. its fair… its their profession and you have to go bt the law of the land.
An Indian Ocean is as good as a Jal, so why not make it fair to everyone….
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Exactly my point. Heil Patriotism.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 am
Who knows how the money that are made by these pakistani singers are spent - it may very well be going towards supporting terrorism against India. Does our government ever keep a tab on that? Indians, and especially most Indian politicians, are too gullible, worthless in their self respect, and hypocrite in talking about secularism crap. While they naively keep ranting about secularism and friendliness the other side keeps slapping them - be it Pakistanis or Chinese or Russians. It is downright foolishness to call pakistanis brothers when our mother nation is at war with them. Strong and successful nations like US or Israel or Germany don’t give a damn about their enemies only weaklings try to be all inclusive. After all no Indian needs pakistani turf to be successful, it is the other way around. And, I haven’t seen a successful pakistani singer in the western world - nobody cares about them!
January 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Indian musicians should not need protectionism to guard against their livelihood being stolen by foreign singers. Hollywood infiltration should be the bigger worry if we are a nation of petty xenophobes, because American industries are much bigger and with access to lower cost funds. Still, repeated attempts to supersede culturally autonomous local industries by foreign giants and their local minions have failed because only the very anglicised and totally Westernised (angrezi media types or pseudos mostly) have surrendered their entertainment sensibilities to Hollywood etc. But we are not petty xenophobes, we insist. Only religio-cultural bigots (in part), as you can see from much of the commentary on our next door neighbour
January 21st, 2009 at 11:31 am
I agree with you fellows that some steps are need to be taken where anyone using India’s infrastructure to make money should pay taxes.
At the same I don’t think that we should ban Pakistani artists. When an album is released its singer is not the only one who makes money. The complete music industry with a workforce, may be in thousands, of which most will be Indians, make money.
And at the same time we need to pay attention to the singers also. Our ministry should take steps with Pakistan so that our artists can also be a part of this cultural integration.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:01 am
I strongly feel that whoever comes and makes money in India should be taxed. I am an IT Professional working in the U.S. and I am considered NRI by Indian taxation law only if my stay in the U.S exceeds 183 days. Whatever money one makes abroad before being considered an NRI is taxable both in India and in the U.S. So I don’t see the logic why these guys coming from Pakistan should not be taxed.
I completely agree with Abhilasha
January 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Don’t try to sound like one of those intellectuals who love to give good sound bytes and play it safe..
“Isn’t culture, after all, supposed to transcend all barriers?” - what is this? where did you hear this? I’m sure from one of those pseudo-secularists.. It sounds nice but nothing can be farthest from the truth..
We have always been in a war like situation with Pakistan, we are Indians first and artists or anything else next… If your country calls on you to fight for her, r u going to hide behind your guitar and say I’m an artist and I know no boundaries.. Grow up and stop being self-centered…
January 17th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Income tax authorities in India need to look and not lose revenue. The artists from across the border are legally required to pay the income tax on the money earned in India to Indian tax department. UK govt does that and taxes are levied appropriately and collected.
But the artists should continue to be welcome as we are not narrow minded.
The feelings of the local artists are justified and natural. Some steps should be taken so as they can also have shows across the border.
It makes Indian entertainment sector more rich , diverse and innovative with fresh air. It results in commercial opportunuties to local entertainment firm.
Pakistan is a dysfunctional state and it’s establishment is just based on anti-India rhetoric. It believes that any one can benefit but my enemy brother.
We are not living in a a true barrier free world unless all nations truely play that.
January 16th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Challenged: Thanks for the comment. I’m talking about one of the most successful Indian music bands.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Interesting, this Janus-facedness.
Frankly, let market forces operate without barriers. If this Adman dude sells in India (or in Finland or on planet Mars), let him (ot them if it’s a band). That’s the way of the free market, and trade barriers leave everyone with less money to pay taxes and help the needy. Win-win is the way ahead.
By the way, which was this famous band you had coffee with? Is it a succesful band in the market in India and Pakistan?