As World Music Day is observed on June 21 in Bangladesh and across more than 100 countries, leading figures from the country’s music community have raised concerns about the future of classical music education, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, royalty deprivation and the state of music training.
World Music Day, launched in France in 1982, is celebrated annually to honour the universal power of music. While the occasion is marked by various events and performances, music professionals say the sector faces a number of pressing challenges that require urgent attention.
Veteran singer Khurshid Alam believes the decline of classical music training is one of the most significant issues confronting the industry today.
‘Thirty or forty years ago, artists were trained in classical music. Those coming through now are not receiving that education,’ he said. ‘Many are learning Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul songs or folk music simply by listening to recordings on mobile phones.’
He also expressed concern over what he sees as a growing lack of musical diversity. According to Khurshid Alam, composers such as Samar Das, Azad Rahman and Alauddin Ali each possessed distinctive musical styles, whereas many contemporary songs now sound increasingly similar.
‘Artists today are talented, but there is no guardian figure to guide them in the right direction,’ he added.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as another major topic of debate within the music community. Priyanka Gope, Chairperson of the Music Department at University of Dhaka, voiced strong concerns about the technology’s impact on artistic creativity.
‘AI is destroying everything,’ she said. ‘Devices are now in the hands of people who are not musicians, and music is being harmed. You can simply type in words and AI will create a song. Once AI surpasses human creativity, there may be little that can be done. Restrictions and limitations should be introduced from now.’
Priyanka Gope also warned that fusion music can sometimes undermine traditional forms when artists lack sufficient understanding of the genres they are combining.
‘A deeply emotional song can be transformed into something purely entertaining through fusion if it is not approached with the necessary knowledge,’ she said.
Khurshid Alam similarly described AI as a potential threat to music.
The importance of institutional music education was another key issue highlighted by Priyanka Gope. While acknowledging that career opportunities for graduates in music remain uncertain, she noted that advanced research is currently being conducted at MPhil and PhD level at the University of Dhaka.
She argued that music should be regarded as a serious academic discipline alongside subjects such as physics, mathematics and psychology.
‘Music education is essential for developing creativity and reducing criminal tendencies,’ she said, calling for music to be introduced as a compulsory subject from the primary level.
Royalty payments remain another longstanding concern for artists, lyricists and composers. Khurshid Alam said even senior performers such as Sabina Yasmin and Abdul Hadi are not receiving royalties.
He also criticised the fees paid to artists by radio and television organisations.
‘The remuneration offered by radio and television is embarrassing. Those who continue to perform do so largely out of their love for music,’ he said.
On the occasion of World Music Day, Khurshid Alam called for greater appreciation of Bangladeshi songs, songs in the mother tongue, modern music and film music.
Priyanka Gope concluded by emphasising the moral and cultural value of music.
‘Melody is sacred. It only becomes impure when impure words are attached to it,’ she said. ‘On Music Day, our wish is that everyone learns to appreciate the sanctity of melody and strives to become a better human being.’
