Artists recording songs about Holi in the studio.
The traditional Phag that resonates after Vasant Panchami is ready to create a new identity for Gorakhpur. There is no compulsion to find any particular place to see and hear the words, tunes and scenes that decorate Holi here. Fag is desperate to cross the boundaries by entering the virtual world. Before the Rangotsav, folk theater has collaborated with technology to further enhance its gaiety.
Local artists have started recording and videography of Holi songs. Modern recording studios have become the drivers of this change, where everything from music video to reel is taking shape. This report by Arun Munna narrates how Gorakhpur's fag, which is getting ready to resonate in the world with the tune of change.... About half a dozen studios have opened in different parts of the city. At some places, groups of youth are working with new zeal and enthusiasm, while at some places people who have saved some old experiences are keeping pace with technology. The colors of the fog are spreading in Munna Mishra Studio located in Buddha Vihar Part C of Planetarium area. On one side the artists are drenched in colors and on the other side the tune of Chautal is playing. Everyone is immersed in fun.
Studio operator Munna Mishra says that till a few years ago, whether it was to record a song, make an announcement or plan an audio-visual presentation, local talents had to look towards big cities like Lucknow and Delhi. Many dreams stopped there due to the limitations of time and money.
Now the same facilities are available in the city. Studios equipped with state-of-the-art sound equipment, editing rooms, lighting systems and trained personnel have opened in the city, where work on everything from music to digital content is being done professionally.
Artists acting during the shooting of Holi song. Awakening
Now a complete stage is available in the city itself. Munna Mishra says that songs and films of veteran artists have been recorded in his studio. Due to his deep connection with music, he went to Mumbai in 2005. Learned music composing there. When he returned in 2014, he opened a studio. Started the work from recording songs to dubbing and editing of films. Then it seemed that the hard work here would go in vain. But, with development, opportunities arose and songs of MP Ravi Kishan, Pawan Singh, Khesari Lal Yadav, Shilpi Raj, Anupama Yadav, Amit Upadhyay, Manoj Mihir, Gulab Tiwari, Antu Bhojpuria, Ajit Rangeela, Neelam Sagar and other artists were created.
He tells that local artist Vijay Dubey Vimal and his colleagues have completed the recording of Chautal (Holi song). At the local level, people's interest has increased due to facilities like Mumbai and Delhi. Artists are getting help in saving the extinct song tradition. On festivals like Navratri, Chhath Puja and Holi, a large number of songs are being recorded and video editing is being done. They say that now there is no need to go out anywhere. There is facility to create and display videos right from the location in the city. Earlier only singers used to come, now the demand is increasing, Krishna Kumar Singh, who runs KK Recording Studio in Moti Pokhara, Basharatpur, says that he started the work in 1992. Built a small studio in Railway Colony. At that time it was not thought that there would be so much expansion. Then Machhendra Master of Dharamshala market brought an eight track recording machine. There was a hard disk of four GB with it.
He tells that earlier only singers used to come to us. Now reel manufacturers, teachers, traders and social institutions also come. Someone makes promotional videos, while someone prepares content for social messages. Both the nature and scope of work have changed. With the opening of the studio, sound technicians, video editors and support personnel have started getting regular work.
Krishna Kumar Singh is giving tune to traditional songs of Holi. It is said that one avoids double meanings. That's why we make less songs. He says that for the first time in Hazaripur, during the installation of the idol of Maa Durga, he did a combination of the demon, Maa Durga and other voices. For the first time people heard the dialogue.
Artists acting during the shooting of Holi song. Awakening
Sister Seema gave the voice of Maa Durga and younger brother Ashwani gave the voice of the demon. He says that AI has made the work easier. But satisfaction is being achieved through traditional method. Songs of local artists Dharmendra Dhamaka, Pradeep Pataria, Vipin Pandey, Mamta Tripathi are becoming hits.
Pradeep Suvigya's film Suspended has also been made. He says that he considered music composer Rahat Ali Khan, who was posted at All India Radio, as his guru and learned the nuances of music from him only. At that time it was not expected that there would be so much expansion in future. But now the city has completely changed. Music videos changed the direction of youth. The popularity of music videos, reels and short videos on internet media is giving a new identity to the youth. Dance, acting, comedy, inspiring thoughts and content based on local topics are now becoming not just entertainment but a medium of livelihood. Ravi Shankar Vishwakarma, who runs ARRC Production at No. 10 Boring, Rajendra Nagar, says that he works closely with Sunshat Dev. Technology brought a big change in music. A lot of work can be done with just one gadget.
Doing all the work including recording, dubbing, mixing of songs. In 2017 he built a modern studio in Bakshipur. Prepared the setup by taking a big risk. In the initial days, 10 artists were selected through free audition. Gradually people felt that work like Delhi and Mumbai was starting to happen in the city too. After this his work increased.
Misri's Holi hooliganism was a huge hit. One of its songs, Tohka Heera Mein Basaibe Ho Balam…Holi Khele Hum Aaibe… settled in people's minds. Preparations are on to record Holi songs and broadcast them on the online platform in the first week of February.
After studying Bachelor of Computer Science from Punjab, Ravi Shankar had planned to do something new. He says that today the challenges faced by local artists have ended, for which they had to spend extra labour, money and time.
Music videos have changed the direction of the youth. 18 to 20 people are earning employment in the entire team. The transformation of the city has increased its attraction. Be it Guru Gorakhnath Ghat of Rajghat of Rapti River or Shri Ram Ghat, today work is being done at new locations.
The director of One Shot Films, Sumit Tiwari, says that he has started the work in 2019-20. Joining music, he made music videos with Adarsh Aadi (Misri) and Thakur Shivendra. Cinematography was done in the city itself. Now the number has reached three to four hundred. He tells that nowadays people are making music videos.
YouTube shorts and reels etc. are being made. People do most of the reel work themselves using mobile phones, but for good quality they are also taking the help of studios. Local artists are making more videos for YouTube. Sometimes songs are being made on occasions like Chhath Puja, sometimes Navratri and Holi. For this, people first had to move to the capital.
Artists acting during the shooting of Holi song. Awakening
People were also cheated there. Half of the time was spent in running around and arranging for accommodation and food. Now the circumstances have changed. He says he has a core team of six people, while more than 20 associates are working with him. Sumit says that the kind of visual that people want is being prepared.
Natural locations are easily available at Kusamhi forest, Ramgarhtal, Rapti river and other places. More work is being done in less budget. Therefore the scope is increasing. He says that this scope was not limited to just music videos. Work has increased from corporate videos to pre-wedding. Currently, more and more shooting is being done for internet media. At this time, many works of recording Holi songs have been received. Folk culture got a modern platform. With the opening of recording studios, folk songs and regional music have also got a new life. Singers from Gorakhpur and surrounding areas are now recording their voices with the help of modern technology and taking them to the global stage. Singer Prabhakar Shukla says, earlier our songs were limited to fairs and events. Now it is being recorded and heard far and wide. It is a matter of honor for us.
He says that in the initial days we had to wander around to get our albums made. The work has become easier with the studio facility in the city. More work is getting done in less time. Expenses are also being saved. Filming has become easier by recording songs.
Also read- Sabrang: Lieutenant Gautam Gurung, who sacrificed his life for the service of the nation, is the pride of Gorakhpur, the road got recognition by his name.
Changing thinking, emerging opportunities Singer Vimal Dubey Vimal says that with this creative change there has also been a change in the thinking of the society. Parents have now started considering creative fields as careers for their children. Training centres, small groups and workshops are emerging in the city, where youth are learning from and collaborating with each other.
These are helping in carrying forward traditional activities. Singer Neelam Sagar says that this change will not be limited to entertainment only. Activities related to recording, video production and digital presentation will strengthen the local economy and create new employment opportunities. Combination of technology, talent and self-confidence. Actor and singer Manej Mihir says that Gorakhpur is now creating its new identity with the combination of technology, talent and self-confidence. Not only resources but also experts are available in the studio. Therefore the external hustle and bustle has ended. There was a time when one had to run several times to shoot the same song.
Due to availability of facilities in the city, artists from Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar are coming for recording. This has increased the confidence of the artists. He says that we are completing quality recording and shooting in a convenient manner and on time. He believes that it will expand in future. Every artist will get a chance to showcase his talent.
Chyawanprash is a part of every Indian's life, it reduces diseases and increases energy.