Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 22: Composer and singer Salim Merchant believes the rise of independent music has fundamentally transformed the way songs are created and released in India, making the process more accessible than ever before.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Salim reflected on how the industry has evolved from being largely film-centric to embracing a vibrant independent scene. He noted that earlier, mainstream music was predominantly tied to cinema, apart from select genres like ghazals and classical music. Today, however, independent tracks are being produced in greater numbers than film songs — a shift he described as both inevitable and empowering.

According to Salim, digital platforms have played a crucial role in this transformation. “It has become extremely easy for a musician, singer, or composer to create and release music,” he said, pointing out that artists no longer need the backing of a film project to share their work. With music distribution now largely digital, creators enjoy complete artistic freedom without traditional industry constraints.

He emphasised that this creative independence has elevated the expressive potential of music as an art form. The accessibility of production tools and streaming platforms has allowed artists to experiment more freely and reach listeners directly.

Looking ahead, Salim expressed confidence that independent music will continue to grow, attract wider audiences, and scale new heights. He also credited the COVID-19 pandemic with accelerating this shift, saying it created conditions that encouraged artists to explore and strengthen the independent space.

Calling the current phase only the beginning, Salim suggested that the momentum behind independent music is likely to shape the future of India’s music industry.