‘Grammys would love to get entries from Bollywood’
New York-based Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Falu Shah says it’s never easy for independent artistes to create their space, given the biases that exist in the music industry. However, with the advent of free streaming platforms, many doors have opened up.
“Biases are everywhere, we’ve to do the best we can. Some artistes get preference, many others don’t. And it’s more difficult for independent artistes. But unlike earlier, when it was essential for a record label to back them so that their creations could reach more people, with the coming of internet and streaming platforms such as YouTube, things have become better. Now, anyone who has the flair can find an audience,” she shares.
Shah, who has been appointed as the Governor on the board of the Grammys (recording academy), says South Asian music has a vast audience in the West. “People here are hungry for diverse south Asian music. They adore Indian classical music for its purity and essence. We would love to have their representation at the Grammys, but we don’t get many submissions from Indian artistes and bands. Grammys would love to get submissions from Bollywood, too,” she says, adding that artistes Zakir Hussain, Rashid Khan, Anoushka Shankar and Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt are among the known names in the West.
Shah, 39, who recently released a collection of songs titled Someday, along with her band Karyshma, is all praise for singer Shankar Mahadevan, and feels his music should reach more people. “I hope he submits his entry to the
Grammys,” she adds.