How often a guitar-freak youth is seen to lay down his/her six-string after years of practice only to let dust settle on it; the omnipresent singer in all cultural festivals settling for a desk job and humming a stanza or two only when coerced; that aspiring classical music enthusiast memorising a sales pitch, not the raga he used to sing at the crack of dawn? Be it parental pressure, societal norm or financial insecurity, following the sound of music is not a career choice that is usually met with total support.
"In our society, parents are too concerned about the future of their kids. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of parents think, 'What will my child do after completing graduation in music?'' said a Chhayanaut student and BUET Murchhona singer Arpita Chakraborty.
Given the unwelcoming atmosphere regarding pursuing music in most cases, completing higher education in music is certainly a tough pill to swallow for typical households. Even though graduates from Berklee College of Music, The Juilliard School, Shantiniketon and so on are lauded on foreign lands, the case is hardly the same here. A declaration of pursuing undergraduate in music is most likely to be met with eye-rolls, exasperated sighs and confused looks from the surroundings.
"Financial factors play a big role here I'd say," said Riasat Azmi, the lead vocal of Arekta Rock Band and Severe Dementia, adding, "I mean, if parents actually saw that this is a very viable career option for their kids, they probably wouldn't have discouraged them to pursue it."
In most cases, a profession is regarded only as good as the money it begets. Even if that is the case-- a USD 62 billion global music industry where pop stars, viral contents, raw talents can earn fortunes overnight and the key judge of talent is the audience-- does not seem like a bad option. However, the scenario is different when the Bangladeshi music industry is put under the microscope.
"One of the problems that I faced when I was starting, was lack of a proper network of musicians," added Sakib Manzur Zihan, the guitarist of EIDA, a Bangladeshi band. "Give us a buzz, we don't bite and we'd love to help people out."
Communication among artists is a crucial aspect. Entering a whole new industry with little support can seem like a daunting task. In order to make the new-comers feel at home, veterans and musicians who have been around for some time should step up. Knowing the right people and channels is crucial to showcase own talent to the audience for the freshers.
"I must say, in any fine arts industry, there must be proper communication among the performers." Arpita agrees with Zihan, "It helps the artists make their journeys more comfortable. When an artist fails to maintain this, sometimes it isn't very reassuring for him/her."
On the other hand, a very big portion of the music industry pertains to live performances and concerts. However, it is not easy to get funding in the early stages of the career. "You have to go through a lot of badly organised gigs until you build up to a proper audience," added Riasat. A mismanaged gig can easily spell disaster. Moreover, artists have to invest a lot of their time promoting their music. Even though Bangladesh has a few record labels- G Series, CD Choice, Gaanchill Music and so on, most of the new artists have to go through all the troubles themselves in promotion.
"It actually is rather demotivating to worry about promotion, which I don't think a musician should be occupied with. We don't have a developed pulbic relations (PR) section in band music yet, that would take our music to the masses," Riasat expressed his frustration.
However, things are changing rapidly. In an era when illegal downloads are depriving musicians of their royalties, online streaming platforms like GP Music, Imagine Radio, Yonder Music, etc. are getting more and more popular. Spotify, one of the largest music streaming services in the world, has also joined Bangladesh a while back. Moreover, Bangladesh Music Bands Association (BAMBA) is stepping up in uniting all the bands of Bangladesh under one umbrella to ensure fair means for the veterans and newcomers alike.
There was a time, not long ago, when musicians were one of the most respectable personalities in the community. Artists like Ayub Bacchu, Azam Khan, James, Bari Siddiqui, Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila and others used to have fervent followers throughout the country. Fans used to launch rallies and parties just for the sake of their favourite artist's birthday.
"A part of society will frown upon artists, but that is only until you get out there and make a name for yourself," advised Zihan. "Perseverance is key and if you're consistently pushing the limits of your art, people will eventually catch up."
The very first time a child starts singing or strums the guitar strings, it does purely out of joy. This unparalleled happiness paves the way for a career in his/her desired path. Apart from the stereotypes set by the scrutinising short-sighted society, a diligent career in music can lead to eternal fame and glory. Even though every occupation has its own role to play in the society, stigmatising a creative profession is not the way to go.
The writer is a student at IBA (DU). Feel free to contact him at turjoy44@gmail.com