There should absolutely be a restriction on copying Bollywood. Its blatant plagiarism. Where is the originality? Where is the talent to come up with your song? Look at how many versions of the song Mohan Ki Muraliya Baje there are this year already. These artists win 1 million dollars and give zero credit to the original song writers, composers, and singers.
I think for a competition like the CSM, artists should be judged based on originality/creativity. And therefore points should be deducted from those who choose to use Indian melodies. While many of the compositions are catchy and entertaining, I don't think artist deserve to win the title of Chutney Soca Monarch King/Queen based off compiling a set of lyrics to a stolen melody. Shows a lack of originality in my opinion.
Then you have to deduct points for using Bhojpuri folk song melodies as well. I don't know why no one seems to get this or highlight it. The traditional/chatak matak tunes recycle limited melodic formulas that are particular to folk music that came with the indentured labourers to the Caribbean from Bhojpuri-speaking India. It's the same thing as using Hindi film song melodies. Everyone wants to talk originality in terms of the melodic composition. While there is no "originality" in any culture because it's all borrowed and reinvented, especially now with globalization, I think there is MUCH originality in the lyrical composition because the meanings are re-contextualized to have relevance to audiences familiar with (Indo-)Caribbean experiences and realities. Believe me, I've played these "bollyney" tunes for people from South Asia, and while some of them have vague recognition of the melodies being adapted from Bollywood, they have NO understanding of the lyrics and meanings. I think that is strong evidence of the hybrid nature of cultural creativity in the Caribbean.
"Should Bollywood melodies be allowed in Chutney Soca Monarch?" as a "Bollywood melodies remix" category ---Yes. Chutney should fall into a different category. Think of people like Anand Yankarran, or Sunny Man then you taste chutney. Nothing irks to hear Indian melodies with local English words. Its lacks originality, creativity and talent !!!
Guys, who honestly cares. All we really care about is listening to this stuff in our cars and at parties....so what if they copy bollywood songs? Do we really care when we're downing those henny shots and enjoying the chutney/soca version? Y'all people put too much thought into everything. Music is music, if it sounds good then it's all good in my books.
It's what I study for my PhD so I have to put "too much thought into everything" -_- The healthy exchange of ideas and dialogue is appreciated though.
I dont think so. Even though Chutney music is associated with Bollywood music, the monarch should keep these two in separate genres
I think the reason we like chutney music is because it sounds like the bollywood songs we knew back in the day. We catch on to it more easily.
I think the artists are getting their inspiration from bollywood songs, which is not wrong ofcourse but the traditional songs with original song texts are better.
The Artists are bringing back the old melodies. And old is gold so why not. But they need more lyrical content.
