Should composers be given awards named after singers?
There is a big debate across the country whether composers should be given awards which are presented in the name of legendary singers? The trend was led by some State Governments who had started giving awards to notable composers in the name of legendary singers.
For example Lata Mangeshkar award has been given to Naushad and Khaiyyam in the respective years. It adds to the controversy whether these awards add any respect to the composers or create disrespect. For example Naushad and Khaiyyam are some of the legendary composers who had nurtured the talents of Lata, Rafi and other notable singers. Their relationship with these singers are almost like that of a teacher and a student.
Naushad’s immortal tunes which had been sung by Lata include “phir teri kahani yaad ayi”, “pyar kiya to darna kya”, “kal ki sapne”, “dhoondo dhoondo re sajna’, “teri husn ki kya tariff karun”, to name a few. These songs had given recognition to the legendary actresses like Madhubala, Wahida Rehman, Meena Kumari, etc.
Khayyam had given everlasting tunes to Lata like “baharon mera jeevan bhi sawaro”, “kabhi kabhi mere dil me”, “aja re”, etc. Most of these composers had their unique style of compostitions, and some of them were experts in Hindustani classicals, or ghazals, etc. When such composers who had been considered as eminent personalities within India and abroad are given awards in the name of the singers whom they have trained it creates very awkward situation, even considering the fact that most of these composers have pride in their students like Lata.
If these awards are created to encourage singers to follow the devotion and discipline in music that had been followed by Lata, then the awards should go to the new singers who had shown their skills and have promise. The singers of the present generation have a lot of respect for Lata and can get motivated to sing even better if given the award whenever they prove their metal.
By: CR Chatterji.
