ADITI SARAWAGI
Indian music
USED INTERNATIONALLY
There are no boundaries to music and globalization
has made it so easy for music to transcend
borders and pervade the whole world. If the
art and talent is good, it will be appreciated all
across the globe and Indian artists are infiltrating
the big productions in good old Hollywood and
taking the world music industry by storm.
Very recently the internet went into a flurry after
Apple launched their new iPhone X advertisement-the
background score was altogether way too familiar-
turns out it was a tune from our very own R.D.
Burman’s repertoire- Meri Nazar Hai Tujh Pe from
the 1980 hit film The Burning Train. The track in the
advertisement was produced by Peter Cannon who
acknowledged the song and ensured fans that the track
had been legally licensed. This Indian connect won
Apple a lot of followers and made Indians proud.
There is a special thrill in listening to an Indian
number in a foreign placement-so often our composers
are accused of being inspired by international
artists so it is very refreshing to see original talent
being appreciated by the best in the global film
fraternity. Very recently Disney India acquired the
rights of Bappi Lahiri’s song Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom
Baba for their 2017 film Guardians of the Galaxy
Vol. 2. The retro dance hit fit in seamlessly in the
theme of the fun film and fans were in for a treat.
Music directors often use famous songs from artists
across the world and use it as part of a movie’s
background score. Even though it may not be
an original score, these songs have a keyrole in
the film’s musical journey for sure. In this way,
a number of Indian tunes have been featured in
some of the most popular Hollywood movies.
The 2002 film, The Guru also had the lead singing the
Hindi song Chori chori hum gori se pyaar karenge
from AnuMalik’s soundtrack of Mela. Anu Malik’s
24
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Chamma Chamma also found place in the 2001 film
Moulin Rouge. One of the biggest Hollywood films
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind featured two
great Bollywood hits Vaada Na Tod and Dil Tujhko
Diya-both songs playing a key role in displaying the
poignancy of the protagonists’ emotions in the scene.
The Dictator’s trailer featured the popular Punjabi
number Mundeya Tu Bach Ke Rahi by Jay-Z and
Punjabi MC, which was originally a bhangra number
by Labh Janjua. JaanPehchaan was featured in
Ghost World in 2001 and the actors were even
imitating the dance moves from the 1965 song! One
of the major hits Deadpool opened to Mera Joota
Hai Japani and it was indeed a great moment for all
Indians as it is such an iconic song here. Kishore
Kumar’s Lehron Ki TarhaYaadein in Shaun Of the
Dead was another feather in the growing collection
of Indian music being appreciated internationally.
One of our best music directors A.R.Rahman has
had his music featured in a number of international
films. He alone can be credited with multiple scores
rendered in Hollywood films. The 2008 Uma Thurman-
Colin Firth film, Accidental Husband featured
two great hits from Rahman- Mujhe Rang De from
Thakshak and Chhalka chhalka re from Saathiya.
It is heartening to see that the music we love is
appreciated globally too. The Lord of War featured the
Bombay Theme in 2005 and it truly befitted the mood
of the film aptly. Another Rahman super hit Chaiya
Chaiya was used in Inside Man’s background score
in 2006. A.R. Rahman’s international success often
leads directors to turn to his music to be part of their
background score and they are never disappointed.
Music has no boundaries and each day we see more
artist collaborations, more intermingling of different
genres and cultures of music and if there is one thing
which can unite this world it has to be music.