MUMBAI: As the nation is marching toward the 70th Independence Day we are also getting over loaded with the news on controversies related to freedom of speech and expression. We spoke with some of the independent musicians to know as to what they have to say about freedom in terms of music.

Arunaja Nalinakshan who was one of top three singers of The Stage Season 2 shared her thoughts saying, “Music is a speech. It’s just that it has a melody to it. Music is generally called as ‘sustained speech’. As an independent artist I feel, I have much more freedom to speak what I want to, through my music. I think most of the independent artists would agree with me because we do our s**t by ourselves, from scratch to the final product we are the sole individuals who care about it the most. We don’t have anyone to answer but ourselves. As an individual I always found my refuge in Music, I always found it easier for me to express what I feel through music. And song writing has helped me even more.”

When asked what the most difficult thing as an artist is when you want to say something but you cannot express it she said, “I’m a person who is very open. I’m straight forward. If I don’t like something I make sure that I put it across. Talent is required, but I think it’s all about the packaging.” 

We also spoke to Aditi Ramesh who is an exemplary vocalist, songwriter and producer with a herculean voice complimented by a range of techniques and tonal modulations. She said, “Freedom of speech and expression in music is of paramount importance because music is a tool which musicians use to express that which cannot be expressed in words alone. It is empowering to know that this medium of creative expression is not in any way limited. It liberates the artists, pushes them to find new ways to express themselves and reinvent their art.”

She also pointed out the worst thing that can happen to an artist when they are not let to do what they want to. “I have at times been told for particular performances that the content needs to conform to something that particular audience would relate to-basically. I’ve been asked to commercialize my music at times. I feel that this causes the artist to disconnect from the art, but is at times necessary in the modern context for various reasons.”

Soul-stirring voice and the semi finalist from Stage 2 Raghav Meattle expressed his thoughts: “If you don’t agree on something then just ignore it, but let the artist express what they feel through their music.”