ITEM SONGS IN B’WOOD: DETERIORATED LYRICS?

If we trace the footprints of item songs used in ‘Bollywood’ we will have to go back to the 70’s era. No doubt that the first name strikes in our mind is Helen. But here I am not pointing out the visuals but the use of obscene lyrics. If we listen to an old item song and try to figure out what it means we won’t find anything much obscene in it.

For instance, take ‘mehbooba-mehbooba’ from the film ‘Sholay’, there is nothing wrong about the lyrics. The words used are proper Hindi and also there is no obscenity. There are many such examples which could be taken from the retrospective Indian films.

Tracing the deterioration of “item songs”, we don’t have to go much time back. It all started with the demand of exposing more in the Indian cinema. After all, why in a perfect going track would we want a sudden entry of a woman, half dressed and dancing with others without any reason! For now let’s keep the dancing aside and get to the lyrics.

Starting with “munni badnaam hui”! The phrase says it all. Can you imagine a girl singing it openly or a little girl dancing to it? What message does it conveys to the society, a constructive one, definitely not! And the list just goes on, “jalebibai”, “anarkali disco chali”, “Sheila ki jawani ”or“ chikni chameli”. We listen and watch these songs with our young ones or elders and expect them not to understand the core meaning of it! How is it possible to even think like this.

No matter who you are, if you are an Indian you are bound to be conservative in nature, if not openly then somewhere in the back of your mind. The lyricist is giving what you want. Should we believe this to be true? Do we really want what we are provided with? If that, so then it means that the lyricist is saying that we are not that intellectual and we will listen to every nonsense he/she is writing.

We should not just “listen” but actually listen. Getting to know the meaning should also be one of our agendas. If we consider in context to politics, we discuss with our peers to the deepest of our thoughts and confusion. So if we can do it in the terms of politics then why not films and item numbers.

I heard this recent song from Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine, “Halkat Jawani”. Now to every Indian the word “Halkat” is very familiar and the meaning too is known to all. So, can on one hand we expect our young generation (kids especially) to see and grow with the world and also on the other hand expect them not to imitate that in their social lives?

It surely is up to us to decide what to listen and see and what not to.  We have the right to say no! So it is up to us whether we should go gaga over these lousy item song lyrics or praise it.

MEDIA BIAS

In my opinion media should not be biased. Like any other profession media too has its code of conduct. In any case, broadcasting, printing or radio media should maintain the standards. It is the media which acts as a mascot of the society. In consideration, in a country like India majority of the population is illiterate. This enables them to form an opinion on any particular issue. And the role of media comes in here. Their job is to guide such people in forming right opinion and coming to right conclusions.

The history proves that whenever the media has played the role of being biased it has led to tribulations in society. Whether it may be the case of Vietnam, Iraq where the western media was said to be pro US or it may be Indian regional media’s reporting during the `93 riots. The media could have just reported the facts instead of using adjectives while reporting. Under such sensitive circumstances media should go by the rulebook.

Media is a tool of ‘infotainment’. That is entertainment and information. But in recent times the media has declined more towards profit making than serving the social causes. They have made news a pure business. And in this profit making media has crossed limits being biased in reporting keeping aside the social cause.

Sometimes a personal bias of the reporter, editor or even the owner comes into play. On being a part of an organization one should always keep their personal biases aside. Media has a very progressive role in society. It should use its bias to construct and not to deconstruct the society. While covering a very sensitive issue one should strictly follow the norms of the organization.

If one tries to break rules, they should be punished accordingly. Here comes the role of PCI but PCI too needs to be given more punitive powers. It is up to the media to be more socially responsible and play the role of being the fourth pillar of society.