| Six years ago, when a motley group of five culturally-obsessed people embarked on a journey to Uttaranchal to trace out some rare folk singers, they were not sure about the result. In a village near Haldwani, they met 15-year-old Radha, with a distinct melodious voice. The organisation, aptly called Beat of India, recorded two love songs in Nyoli folk form. Deep into a village in Pithauragarh district, they met Jhusia Damai, 90, who sings and narrates the takes of the royal battles of that area through valour songs for hours without a pause. On their journey, the group also met singer couple Anandi Devi and her blind husband Sant Ram, in Almora. Beggars now, they were singers of the All India Radio at one time. These recordings have become part of www.beatofindia.com, a website which has the databank of over 700 folk songs with performances of more than 5,000 minutes. Its 35-year-old CEO Shefali Bhushan has in all these years recorded more than 75 folk singers and performers in the interiors of India. This was an endeavour with a cause. "In an era of pop, rock and import of art, we are losing the basic foundation of our culture, that is folk," clarifies N.K. Sharma, who conceptualised the idea. That's why they are approaching the core people who have the pristine treasure of music, wherever they are. And they mean it. Besides focusing on unsung artistes or who have a repertoire that is on the verge of extinction, the Beat of India has also recorded the voice of some known singers. Putting them on the Internet is already having an impact. Shyamlal Begana, 50, a Biraha singer from Nevada-Samogar village near Allahabad, says, "I could perform in Cuttack, Palghat, Bangalore and Delhi. I even got calls from Mauritius." Now, the company is trying hard to market the music. Besides direct download options on the Net, the music can be bought through customised service. CDs are also sold in the market but unfortunately are not doing well. Even after spending about Rs 50 lakh, the Beat of India is yet to reach breakeven. "Economic viability is important because we want to give these artistes a good amount of royalty," says Bhushan while going through the handwritten letters of the artistes in her Jungpura office in Delhi. For now, they are getting 10 per cent of the total revenue, not profit. What next? A pan-Indian collection of such art, which will ensure the name Beat of India earns a real meaning. |
