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Swanand Kirkire Defends Bollywood Lyrics: Evolution, Not Loss of Depth

National Award-winning lyricist Swanand Kirkire refutes claims that Bollywood lyrics have lost their poetic depth, stating they have simply evolved with changing times and sensibilities. He acknowledges a constant mix of commercially driven songs and those with deeper meaning within the industry. Kirkire suggests the newer generation of creators, while excellent with sounds, could engage more with the Hindi language as many are educated in English-medium schools. He simultaneously praises the impactful work emerging from musicians in smaller towns and the independent rap scene.

Key Points: Swanand Kirkire on Evolution of Bollywood Lyrics

  • Lyrics evolve with times
  • Mix of commercial and meaningful songs
  • New generation excels in sound
  • Need for stronger Hindi language skills
  • Praise for small-town and rap artists
2 min read

Swanand Kirkire says Bollywood lyrics haven't lost depth, just evolved with time

National Award winner Swanand Kirkire argues Bollywood lyrics haven't lost poetic depth but evolved with new sounds and vocabulary for younger audiences.

Swanand Kirkire says Bollywood lyrics haven't lost depth, just evolved with time
"I don't think lyrics have been lost... newer kinds of sounds and newer kinds of words are coming into lyrics. - Swanand Kirkire"

Mumbai, Feb 19

National-Award winner Swanand Kirkire believes that mainstream Bollywood lyrics have not lost their poetic depth, asserting that they have merely evolved with changing times and sensibilities.

Asked if he thinks lyrics have lost their poetic depth in mainstream Bollywood, or is that criticism unfair, Kirkire told IANS: "I don't think lyrics have been lost. You know, newer kinds of sounds and newer kinds of words are coming into lyrics."

"Definitely, the old-world imagery goes away, and it has to, because younger people see a different world. A different kind of vocabulary will come into their lyrics. So, I don't think everything new is bad, and everything old was good. Lyrics are still lyrics."

The National Award-winning lyricist pointed out that the industry has always had a mix of commercially driven songs and those rooted in deeper meaning.

"Definitely, there is always a big quantum of lyrics that try to become really popular soon. And there is another part that talks about meaning. So, everything is happening together."

However, Kirkire did underline the need for greater linguistic engagement among younger creators.

"The newer generation works a little more on lyrics. They are very good with sounds, but since Hindi is not their first language, most of them are educated in public and English-medium schools, so they should learn a little more Hindi. That's one thing."

At the same time, he praised musicians emerging from smaller towns and the independent rap scene.

"And the people from small towns who are making music now, the rappers and everybody, they are doing great. So, I don't think anything is losing meaning," he said.

Kirkire's latest is the series "Bandwaale". The show is streaming on Prime Video.

It is created by Swanand Kirkire along with Ankur Tewari, marking a significant new chapter in his storytelling career.

Kirkire won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice: first in 2006 for the song "Bande Me Tha Dum...Vande Mataram" from the film Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and then in 2009 for the song "Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh" from the film 3 Idiots.

In 2018, at the 66th National Film Awards, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Marathi film Chumbak. He made cameo appearances as Sansad ji in Panchayat 3 and as Mansoor Khan Sahab in Qala, for which he also contributed as a lyricist and singer.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Respectfully disagreeing with Kirkire ji here. While evolution is natural, the soul seems missing. Compare "Tum Hi Ho" to "Lag Ja Gale", the depth is just not the same. Many new songs feel like catchy phrases strung together for reels.
R
Rahul R
His comment about Hindi not being the first language for many new creators hits home. We need to cherish our languages. But also, music is universal. If the emotion is conveyed, does the vocabulary matter so much?
S
Sarah B
As someone who grew up listening to both old and new Bollywood, I see his point. The industry has always had massy songs and meaningful ones. We just remember the classics and forget the forgettable ones from every era.
K
Karthik V
True! Look at artists like Divine or even the lyrics in a movie like 'Gully Boy'. They talk about real struggles, local stories. That's depth too, just a different kind. It's not all about romantic shayari.
N
Nidhi U
I appreciate that he's not just criticizing but also giving a constructive suggestion - learn more Hindi. It's a balance. Use new sounds and global influences, but don't lose the richness of our own words. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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