The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has requested Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia to make it mandatory for the country’s airlines and airports to play Indian music.
“We urge you that if it can be made compulsory for Indian airlines to play Indian music, it will reach the people. We have seen that airlines in India often only play foreign music, which neither one can enjoy, nor does one understand,” said President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Rajya Sabha MP, Vinay Saharabuddhe at an event where he handed over a letter on the issue from the Council as well as eminent artistes such as Rita Ganguly, Wasifuddin Dagar, Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar and Bollywood singer and music composer Anu Malik.
In its letter, the Council recommended playing “Indian classical or light vocal and instrumental music” as this would go a long way in “strengthening emotional connect of our people to our civilisational traditions in music and arts”.
While the Minister didn't comment on the specific proposal, he said, “India has a rich heritage in music, which has played an important role. Our history is not just 300-400 years old but several thousand years old. It will, therefore, not be an exaggeration if I say that India is an incubator for the world when it comes to music. But somewhere in the race for modernity our ancient arts have lost out on encouragement."
About the proposal for playing music Indian music on Indian flights, singer and music director Kaushal Inamdar said the whole idea is not only about promoting music but also Indianness.
“Music has the power to evoke emotions. That is why we should play Indian music in our land, in aircraft, because it (Indian music) is one of the best ambassadors for our country,” he emphasised.
On the demand for it to be made mandatory, Mr. Inamdar said, “If you speak about it, at least the possibility comes into existence”.
Music composer Anu Malik said it is a fabulous idea.
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