India's music scene has changed drastically, artists are empowered: Shreya Ghoshal
New Delhi (PTI): Singer Shreya Ghoshal says digital platforms have changed the Indian music landscape drastically, making it easier for independent artists to breakthrough and thrive.
The singer, who recently collaborated with Egyptian rapper Afroto for Coke Studio Global's new release "Sunn Beliya", said great artists now don't lack exposure.
"Music scene has drastically changed over the last two-three years. Thanks to the digital way of consuming music, a big number of independent artists are coming to the forefront. They are empowered. The ecosystem is also building around it and helping them out. I am happy that we are not losing out on great artists just because they don't have a way in," Ghoshal told PTI in an interview.
As somebody who forayed into the music industry as a teenager, the 39-year-old said entering the close and controlled playback circuit was challenging.
"I came into the industry when there was only playback music. So even then, to enter the kind of monopoly that was there and to be able to find a space for myself was another journey... But the journey for artists today is so different and I'm so happy. It is a very positive space to be in. Even if you put up a good song cover on Instagram, you will be heard," she added.
Ghoshal, known for singing chartbuster songs such as "Bairi Piya", "Jaadu hai nasha hai", "Teri meri", "Teri Ore" and "Tum Kya Mile", said the easy access to audience still does not guarantee success.
"With all the exposure we have to start thinking of making music differently. We need to look at the taste of people and the accessibility of music. We have to really do something fresh to be able to be heard and liked. The access is there but one has to put in a lot more effort to sustain."
The playback artist said the experience she has gained by working with musicians from across the globe has been an "eye opener" for her. Ghoshal said her international collaborations made her realise that it's not the language but the emotion that audiences connect with.
"We have similar thought processes, interests, dislikes, problems, and solutions. We have just different cultures and languages, but ultimately all human emotions are the same and that's what the message is in 'Sunn Beliya'," she added.
"Sunn Beliya" is penned by Afroto and Rashmi Virag. The composers are Afroto, Kaushik-Guddu, Issa & Assouad and NOVO. The peppy number features Ghoshal singing in Hindi and Bangla.
The singer said she always wanted to collaborate with Coke Studio and "Sunn Beliya" seemed like a perfect opportunity.
"I always wanted to do something with Coke Studio. When this happened, I was very excited and then I got to know it's global, so it was even better... This was a very organic, beautiful collaboration and Afroto is a sweet personality himself. He is eager, excited and full of ideas and energy. He is a fabulous performer," she said.
Even though there was a language barrier, Ghoshal said, creating the song was a smooth process as the concept was clear in their minds.
"'Sun Beliya' is a product of a proper global crossover and for me, it's a first so it was exciting. I think this is a beginning for me and I'm so glad that I'm the first Indian artist to do a song on Coke Studio's global platform. I'm happy to be representing India and Indian languages," the singer said.
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Cong seeks law for SC, ST quota in private, non-minority educational institutions
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Monday demanded that the government bring in a legislation for SC, ST and OBC quota in private, non-minority educational institutions in the country.
In a statement, Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh noted that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports had recommended a new legislation to implement Article 15(5).
Article 15(5) allows the state to make special provisions by law for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, including reservation in educational institutions, both public and private, except for minority educational institutions.
Ramesh said the Congress had during the last Lok Sabha polls committed itself to bringing legislation to implement Article 15(5) of the Constitution in private educational institutions.
"In its 364th Report on the Demand for Grants for the Department of Higher Education, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports also recommended a new legislation to implement Article 15(5) as well. The Indian National Congress reiterates this demand," Ramesh said.
The Constitution (Ninety-third Amendment) Act, 2005 took effect from January 20, 2006 and this amendment introduced Article 15(5) in the Constitution.
"Nothing in this article or sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of Article 19 shall prevent any special provision, by law, for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes insofar as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of Article 30," it reads.
Explaining the chronology of legislation to implement Article 15 (5), Ramesh said the Central Educational Institutions (Reservations in Admission) Act, 2006 was passed in Parliament and reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and socially and educationally backward classes of citizens in central educational institutions introduced with effect from January 3, 2007.
Citing the case of Ashoka Kumar Thakur versus Union of India on April 10, 2008, he said by a 2-0 margin Article 15(5) is held Constitutionally valid only for state-run and state-aided institutions and reservations in private unaided institutions left open to be decided in the appropriate course.
In the IMA versus Union of India May 12, 2011, he said, by 2-0 margin, Article 15 (5) is upheld for private unaided non-minority educational institutions.
Citing another case, Ramesh said, "Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust versus Union of India Jan 29, 2014. By 5-0 margin Article 15(5) is, for the first time, upheld as it is explicitly.
"This means reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and socially and educationally backward classes of citizens in private educational institutions is also constitutionally permissible," he added.
