Aizawl, Sept. 8: Two singers? associations, Zoawi Pawl and Mizo Zaimi Insuihkhawm, have triggered a controversy by complaining against music-on-demand programmes telecast by local TV channels.
Ever since their introduction, the music demand channels have been a hit among the public. All that one has to do is request for a particular song over the phone and the channels play the desired song on TV.
Following the plunge in sales of cassettes, the singers? associations decided to get into the act by requesting the channel providers to stop these demand channels. However, the singers who are complaining have themselves given their music videos to these channels.
This has led to a great outcry from the public, especially the younger generation, as they felt that this was one of the few entertainments that are available for the public in the state. Taking the brunt of public ire were the singers? associations which had come to the aid of their members.
Despite public complaints, the associations have decided to remove music videos of at least top artistes from the demand channels. Jesse Lalrova, president of Zoawi Pawl, said this is being done for the welfare of the singers following the fall in sales.
?Since the artistes themselves fear repercussions from the channel providers, our organisations have decided to remove all the music videos of top artistes from the demand channels. We will also request the channel providers not to telecast concerts of these artistes,? Lalrova said.
He admitted that the music demand channels are excellent vehicles for promoting new singers and said, ?We do not mind upcoming singers using the demand channels to promote themselves as it is an excellent vehicle for this purpose. What we don?t want to see is our established members suffer through these channels,? he said.
Lalrinpuii, from the biggest of the three channel providers in Aizawl, LPS Vision, said they have no problem if any artiste decides to pull out his music video, but said they cannot close down the demand channels as it is business for them.
