Several musicians, such as Ahmed Jahanzeb, Fuzon and QB have been launched their careers through TV soundtracks. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
What do famous television shows, such as Scrubs, Friends and Cheers, have in common apart from their lengthy run on television? All these shows boast a popular soundtrack as their opening credit. Despite being only a small part of the episodes, soundtracks of these shows went on to have a life of their own and created enough recall value to contribute to their popularity.
Although theme songs are a longstanding favourite among TV enthusiasts across the globe, the trend seems to have caught up late in Pakistan. But, according to Ehteshamuddin, director of TV serials, including the ongoing Sadqay Tumhare, Original Soundtracks (OSTs) are not a new addition to Pakistani television. He says that they were being made for dramas even as early as the 1980s and 1990s.
He cited examples of dramas, such as Teesra Kinara, which was among the first Pakistani TV serials, to have featured an OST. But he acknowledged that this trend rose in popularity during early 2000 and attributed this change to the arrival of satellite television. “The arrival of satellite television brought about a host of changes to local television. Our audiences were shifting towards Indian soaps and it was then that producers felt the need to package local products,” he commented.
Music composer Waqar Ali, the composer of famous OSTs, such as Aansoo, Teri Yaad and Humsafar, echoed this sentiment in an earlier interview to The Express Tribune. He had said that it was the private media boom of early 2000, which led to an increase in the drama serials being made and, eventually, resulted in the churning out of more OSTs. “Soundtracks were present in dramas, such as Dhoop Kinare, but they were never really a necessity. However, after the success of Aansoo’s soundtrack, it almost became a necessity,” he had stated.
On the question of whether OSTs add any value to the drama, Ehteshamuddin responded, “Of course! Not only do they add aesthetic value [to the drama], but are also significant from a marketing perspective. As the song helps the drama serial reach out to a wider audience.”
Immu, music composer and Fuzon frontman, explained, “Music is one of the best ways to create recall value for anything, and the best example of this is Humsafar. It also helps generate interest in visual content as OSTs are a useful way of engaging audiences.”
Despite the increase in the number of OSTs being produced these days, music composers are quick to clarify that the mechanics of composing an OST or theme song are different from those of composing a song for a band or musician. “When composing a theme song for a drama serial, musicians are usually given a creative brief about what sort of mood it should have and at which point there should be a crescendo or hype,” said Sohaib Lari, who has composed theme songs for several television shows, such as Meinay Shaam Haari.
When making music for television, there are essentially two parties working together, Immu stated. “The director provides music composers with the brief as to whether the opening credits should set the mood for the show or provide a synopsis of the television serial.” Regardless of the success of soundtracks on television, industry stakeholders had conflicting views about whether OSTs can help revive the Pakistani music industry.
Immu said that OSTs are “a small part of a much bigger picture.” “Although several musicians have emerged through television shows, like Fuzon emerged with the song Saagar (drama Jab Jab Dil Miley), Ahmed Jahanzeb with Ik Baar Kaho Tum Mere Ho (drama Laila Majnoo) and Quratulain Balouch with Woh Humsafar Tha (drama Humsafar), we can’t solely rely on these OST to springboard a revival.”
Lari also holds that OSTs won’t kickstart the revival of music in Pakistan, noting that, “There are only a handful of music producers composing OSTs in the country. And all these songs are recorded, they are not live. So, at most, they can help sustain the industry but not help it grow or flourish.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2015.
Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Saagar is by far the best OST of all time.
I disagree with the Immu. Have you not noticed tangible influence Pakistani soundtracks are having on Indian Drama soundtracsk? The whole, lyrics, music, etc is so profound it makes one proud of the talent of Pakistani professionals.
Keep it up please !
Majority of people like entertainment. Only way to revive Pakistani music industry is Dance Music and Item numbers (revival does involve mass approval). No one will dance to 'Woh Humsafar tha' in a marriage or Party. People will rather dance on tunes of 'Teri he Kami hai', 'Billu de ghar' or 'Ajj Kala Joda paa'. . Due to lack of dance music, I see Pakistani people struggle to select songs for performance on Pakistan days in as far as London and South Korea. We love our ghazals which are our strong point but we need some 'hulla gulla' too without looking for Indian content. . Even Noor Jehan's Punjabi songs were full of dholl/Tabla (suitable for that era). If Pakistani music guys start producing atleast one catchy & funky song a month, we can eliminate Indian songs from our marriage functions within couple of years.