National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

‘Nepalese Music's Popularity Rests On Folk Melody’

— SANTOSH SHARMA

SANTOSH SHARMA is the director of Music Nepal Private Limited, the leading cassette recording industry of the country. Sharma started the pioneering venture 18 years ago, when the prevalent perception was not encouraging for the music industry. Sharma, who is also actively involved in copyright protection, spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on various issues concerning Nepal's changing music scene. Excerpts:

How do you find the present state of the music sector?

I would say the music sector right now is a mixture of good and bad. Where we are today is the result of 18 years of efforts. It is the result of the contribution of many people and creative artistes. We have now come to a stage where Nepalese music is dominating the sector. There is a lot of creativity around and so many studios have come up. But the uncertainty of the last few months ó political as well as economic ó has restricted movement and the sector is not in a very good shape.

How much has this state of turmoil affected the music industry?

About 50 percent of our business has been affected. Our market includes hilly areas and villages, too. The restriction of movement has definitely curtailed our business there. Besides, our audiences, who also come from the garment industry and other factories, are severely hit financially. Industrial closure and decreasing purchasing power have disturbed our business. Another thing that pushes music sales is musical events and programs, which are not happening currently.

What is the position of Music Nepal in the industry?

Our position is very sound. We have come here with a long-term vision. We have done hard work to reach where we are today. When we started back in 2039/40 (1986/87), the government used to tax us at par with cigarette/alcohol industries. The government protected the state-owned Ratna Recording but it discouraged similar industry that came from private sector with similar objectives. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for us. We really fought hard. We have reached 18 years and we are full of youthful energy equal to that age. We don't claim that we are still in an infant stage like some in the cinema industry, which is more than three decades old, do. Our efforts have paid off. Music Nepal is in the leading position. We not only record commercial cassettes, but also engage in preservation of old songs as well as bring to public non-commercial songs from nooks and corners of the country. We have invested in recording songs from important talents of the country although it may not be profitable. We are contributing to the state coffers, too. We paid around 5.5 million rupees in taxes last year. Business was fine in the first five months of this year, but after the imposition of emergency, the situation is not good.

How has Nepalese music sector blossomed over the last few years?

We have to look at the basic indicators to analyze the progress of this sector. I have taken the change in the living standard of an average musician/instrument-player as one of the indicators. Back when MN came into

being, the earning of average musical instrument-player was around Rs 300-500 a month. The MN employed them by giving Rs 2000 a month. Today, they are earning Rs 50,000 per month. Even junior ones earn Rs 20,000 a month ó a jump by 40 times. Another indicator is the royalty amount. Earlier, there was no such thing as royalty. From nothing, the artistes are now earning Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 as royalty. Hit albums even rake up Rs 500,000 as royalty. This is a phenomenal progress. When MN started its operation, the government used to provide Rs 2 million a year to sustain Ratna Recording. Now, we pay Rs 5.5 million in taxes. As MN claims to occupy 55 percent of the market share, the total earning for the government from this sector could be Rs 10 million. Another indicator is the employment opportunities. MN alone employs around 100 persons directly. If we talk about all the 30/40 studios, the employment figure could cross 5,000 plus other indirect employees. Last but not the least, this sector has been making incalculable contribution in the preservation and promotion of Nepalese culture not only within the country but also abroad.

You are also leading a crusade against piracy. What is the current situation?

We are a big victim of piracy. We release 100-150 albums a year. Because of our market share, 60 percent of piracy affects us alone. Such piracy occurs even across the border. But we are not terribly worried about piracy across the border, as we take solace in the fact that our culture and music is being transmitted, anyway. However, we are sad to see the piracy inside the country. The government ought to be working as facilitator and implement laws. Unfortunately, the piracy has hit several investors and creative artistes as well. It is a fact that whenever we complain, authorities including the Chief District Officers cooperate. But in the absence of strong laws, the perpetrators are let off. Consequently, we have formed a group to form laws in this regard. As this was a technical subject, I myself learned it first in a UN scholarship. Right now, because of efforts from us as well as the government, the Copyrights Bill 2058 is under consideration in parliament. Hopefully, it will be passed in the current session. We acted as catalysts and resource persons by bringing in relevant documents from the WIPO when drafting this bill. The important thing is its implementation. As soon as this bill is enacted, we will need proper regulations.

What is the state of intellectual property rights in the country from a legal point of view?

The intellectual property rights include two aspects ó industrial products and copyrights. We are concerned with copyrights that encompass any creations in the domain of art, science and literature. We have a Copyright Act (2022 BS) which is riddled with weaknesses. It is not compatible with international laws as well. However, in the proposed Copyrights Bill, we have included provisions in accordance with international norms. It covers not only music but also art, literature, database and broadcast. There is an urgent need to train police and judicial authorities once the bill is enacted and comes into implementation. The task ahead is monumental. But we cannot escape it, as after 2006 the TRIPS (trade related aspects of intellectual property rights) will become applicable whereupon western countries could restrict our exports (carpets/garments) if we don't protect the copyrights of say Michael Jackson's album or Harry Potter's book. As far as we are concerned, we did not raise the issue of copyrights out of donors' money or whatever. It is driven by our internal need.

What is the market composition of foreign and Nepalese music?

When we started, the music market here was dominated by foreign (Indian) music, which covered 90 percent. After 10 years, the situation changed dramatically with Nepalese music covering 75-80 percent. But later, with the advent of cable television and FM stations, we suffered. While cable television promoted the sales of foreign music, FM prospered at our cost. At present, we estimate the music market to be divided 50-50 between Nepalese and Indian music. But most of the Indian music is pirated. If the pirated Indian cassettes (that are cheaper) are stopped, our market share could easily reach up to 75 percent. Anyway, MN is focused on the improvement of quality and technology. We have bagged three European awards for our quality.

What about the progress made by folk music?

Earlier nobody had thought about the market of folk music. When we first started producing folk music cassettes, even cassette shop-owners did not play them. Upon our insistence, they started playing them. Surprisingly, tourists swarmed to buy our folk songs. Gradually, the ordinary people flocked. In a short time, our experiment with folk music paid off. We discovered an unexpected market. I think folk melody is in our blood. Currently, even pop, modern and film songs become successful only if they are based on folk melody. It can be said that the major part of MN's success rests on folk music.

How do you see the future of the music industry?

We have reached the present state because of the talent and gift of our artistes. But there is no hope if we do not work towards supporting the industry institutionally as well as in terms of policy. Unfortunately, our planners and policy-makers have never really understood this sector. They see it as an unproductive sector. But take the case of MN alone and you will notice how economically viable this sector is. Look at the United States and other countries that have earned so much out of entertainment and music industry. A country with creative artistes can be called prosperous. Until now artistes in our country were growing in the wild. We have to cultivate and nurture them. For starters, we need a music policy. Just as medical and engineering colleges, music schools should be opened. At times, we have recommended proper taxation policies so that this sector could blossom.