As the civil aviation ministry considers playing Indian music at airlines and airports, musicians rejoice

Mona

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The Civil Aviation Ministry’s recent proposal for airlines and airports to consider playing Indian music in the flights and terminals is lauded by musicians. They root for classical, Bollywood, folk, regional and independent music for the benefit of flyers as well for a wider reach!

Get the true feel

I believe that music should not have boundaries and it should not have limits. So, basically everything that sounds Indian should be played at airports and flights, so that foreigners as well as Indian travellers should get a feel of the Indian music. We have seen Indian music growing globally. The latest move would take Indian music to greater heights. — Ayush Talniya, singer

Give us choices

India is a musically rich country. It’s a move worth paying attention to. While many countries have only one kind of music, we have a whole range – right from classical to Bollywood to folk. We can have regional music playing in different sectors, right from classical, Bollywood to Punjabi, Rajasthani, Gujarati to Bengali. Many airlines as British Airways and Etihad have music on demand. I have heard and enjoyed my own popular numbers like Allah Jane, Jatt Punjabi and Naaran Vicho Naar Punjaban while flying! — Pammi Bai, singer

Getting visible

I have heard some good music in New Zealand while flying in and out. In India, I have only heard instrumental. While Bollywood music has its own reach, I would deem it to be a perfect platform for independent artistes like me. For us, if the song makes it to a film, only then it reaches the masses. Playing it at airports and flights, would not only get us visibility but also get travellers a different taste. — Jasleen Aulakh, singer

Saving the heritage

It would be an opportunity for us to showcase our classical music. One can play ragas according to the seasons and time of the day. Not only would it add to travellers’ experience but also gain our heritage its due attention. Not only foreigners landing in India, but Indians, who have not been exposed to our rich treasure, can savour the experience. — Mohd Zubair, composer