MUMBAI: Many a musical folk are going ga-ga over World Music Day - which was initiated first in France in 1982- and giving sound bites about how great it is for the musical fraternity. But this young musician would like to put things in perspective. Amaal Malik believes that Indian music should retain its character.

Says he: "I'm a patron of Indian music and hope to always be a flag bearer. Right from its inceptions thousands of years ago, I strongly believe that the Indian music system is the strongest I've seen. It encompasses all frequencies and it’s mind boggling as to how it was done so many years ago. I hope we always keep it alive and reinvent in our own little way. I also hope that we start sounding a little more confident about our roots since we do not know about the treasure we possess."

He further adds, "The production/sound can be adapted from the sound the world is listening to and it's good to adapt to the west as our youngsters are crazy about the beats and bass line that international songs have. But you will always see a very successful song, film, non-film, indie music too with just one basic thing, the soul, and melody that is simple, Indian and rooted."

Amal believes that the Indian music industry is way up there on the global map. "I guess we're the second largest film industry and our films aren't complete without their songs. So as far as the reach is concerned, we're right up there because we have to cater to an Indian audience all around the world."

He, however, regrets that the quality of music is being compromised. "As far as quality is concerned, Indian musicians (filmy, classical, Indie) have always looked to keep the wheel spinning. If I talk about the film music industry in particular, apart from a few composers, everyone is playing safe and as a newer lot of composers, we are rehashing the same things again and again," he highlights.

Adding to it he says, "We all are getting stuck in template work, formula songs, and what others believe are hit lyrics and these are the unnecessary trappings of the current Bollywood music scene."

Mallik wants the industry to get back to the times where a director and a composer sat across the table and jammed to create music. For, the current scenario is no different than selling ready-made furniture according to him.

"As a country, there are a million undiscovered gems and a billion listeners. What we need now is a lot of new voices to make it to the front. We have amazing writers but they aren't given a free hand by the people in power. We are a rich and diverse country, but the sad part is people only know Bollywood music as the music of India, that really needs to change. We need to break that mould and have individual artists grow, create the music they wish to and put it out," says Mallik like a true orator.

The 'Kar Gayi Chull' hitmaker further explains that the change won't come in until musicians unite and stand up for themselves, and take notice of the music in our nation. “Are we just going to waste, artists waiting to be discovered by Bollywood?, " questions Mallik.

The 26-year-old says that our country is dependent on music labels, actors, and producers to take the songs to the next level. Which he thinks is fine, given the fact that he too would like to see his tracks being picturised on a star. But, is that all an artiste should aim for?

"Just for our own happiness, just for the sake of the musician who lives within, we should also make an effort to create the music we like. Create your own channel on YouTube and start putting content out there," states Mallik as he roots for self-empowerment.

He further adds, "I know it's easier said than done, but it's high time musicians and writers start putting themselves out there, even if the support is there or not. I know it's tough but we can't always depend on the film industry. This is one thing that the international music scene doesn't have. You don't see Justin Timberlake wait for Tom Cruise to feature in his video."

Moving the conversation to the never ending issue of royalties, Mallik goes on to compare the East to West. "The singers/ musicians in the west are as big a star as the actors, that's only because they aren't dependent on Hollywood to get big and they get their due royalties and that's what makes them financially secure. Intellectual property isn't taken away and the copyright acts are in place," says he.

Giving an example the artist avers, "Los Del Rio who composed the historic hit 'La Macarena', didn't need to keep churning out newer compositions in order to survive, they did a song they believed in, equally shared the rights with the labels and maybe didn't do anything after that because they can live off the royalty that one song brings. Do something's for yourself, have fun, create something which maybe won't work for a film, no problem...Works for you? Go out there are play it to the world, make yourself a brand, a label. That's the future!"

The composer also wishes for the independent music of the 90's to make a comeback. "I'd love things to change and be a part of that change too....With singles like 'Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main', 'Chal Wahan Jaate Hai', 'Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon', I'm trying my best to keep things moving in the non-film space. Hope more composers start doing this. It would be a lot of fun," exclaims he.

Lastly, on World Music Day, Mallik assures all his fans that he will continue making music that makes him and makes people happy.