Image versus talent

In my country, the USA, a singer's appearance usually has as much to do with financial success and recognition as singing talent. Often more. So the well known pop talent looks like the "typical" television actor, that is unusually good looking. Because here it is not well received when the voice is not that of the singer, or when lip syncing is done live, the choosing of singers by their looks has lead to a relatively talentless popular music scene.

In India, the culture handles this very differently. The Bollywood product creates a huge demand for music in films and there is no cultural prohibition of others - non actors - singing the parts. In fact, it is encouraged and so well received that these "Playback" or "Replay" singers are popular in their own right. They tour, make television appearances and have legions of fans.

Here is an example, "Teri Ore", from a hit film named Singh Is Kinng, from 2008. The song is well known and has been covered in several parts of the World. The film actress is the obviously beautiful Katrina Kaif, a major star in Bollywood. Even though her language skills are sometimes suspect, because she does not sing the parts no harm is done. The replay singer is Shreya Ghoshal, also a big star in her field. To tell the truth, I would welcome a system here where singers are chosen by their ability. The music would be so much better, IMO. I should add that the film clip was shot in as iconic a place as there is. The Shreya Ghoshal concert is live, of course, put on by Sony.

If you want to see Katrina Kaif in a very good film, catch the epic Jab Tak Hai Jaan, the last film by the great romantic director Yash Chopra in 2012. If only American musicals were this good.

First the actors, then the pair that actually did the singing. No AutoTune here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69GFW01nuVM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLSxmio3_x4

I get your point and agree, but Shreya is still gorgeous...

Of course she is! I confess I am attracted by talent, most of all musical talent, in women. I can't take my eyes off her. Popular taste being what it is, Katrina will sell more tickets.

If there is any interest, here is the entire concert. Her band comes in at about thirty-two minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lszIaXr80lI

A brief taste of the range this star has. Judging on X-Factor, she is asked to sing. Compare with the pop-y film song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxQ9n02VqVM

:thmbsup:

Shilpa Rao caught my ear with this duet with Krishnakumar Kunnath - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2c...-haseeno_music