Theme songs: A new trend in our TV serials

Mamunur Rashid: Most of the recent theme songs are vague imitations of the popular serials of our neighbouring country, which is not acceptable. There are many theme songs that do not reflect the traditional tunes of Bangladesh. We should try to project our heritage, as this would attract the viewers.

Tauquir Ahmed: I would rather say this is a gimmick to make the serial popular. The serials are sometimes not that serious or artistic as the theme songs suggest! To some extent, by imitating the international TV shows, the common audience is robbed of the taste for local music. Theme songs should be relevant to the story line.

SI Tutul: Theme songs are a very popular and positive change in the TV serials. With the song the serial also becomes an instant hit. I often get requests to sing the theme song of Ronger Manush, when I am on stage. I would not agree with the statement that theme songs are being blindly imitated. There was a time when satellite channels were not introduced and we had many original and appropriate theme songs like Shanshaptak, Matir Koley and Ayomoy, which were very popular serials as well.

Ronger manush,
Rongila akashey urao antorer haush
Bhaber hatey shawda korey
Ronger hatey jao
Antor bahir ek koria
Ektarey bajao

The theme song of the popular drama serial Ronger Manush, became a household hit last year when the serial began.

For three decades the TV audience loved to hum the theme songs of popular TV serials such as The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Charlie's Angels, Fugitive, Get Smart, MacGyver or Twin Peaks. More recent serials like Friends, That 70s Show or The X Files have replaced the old ones and the passion remains the same.

Theme songs have been a very popular trend in the Western media since the beginning of television shows. However, the trend in Bangladesh began only a couple of years ago. The popular television serials, especially the new concept of mega serials, have emphasised the trend.

Serials like Bandhan, Jowarbhata, Sporsher Bairey, Ronger Manush, Ekannoborti or the most recent Kachher Manush and 69 have individual theme songs that have attracted a large audience.

Today much effort goes into writing, composing and recording theme songs. Recently, an album containing the most popular theme songs was released which is another proof of the popularity of this new genre of music.

There is a divergence of opinion among directors and actors on the score of theme songs. The Daily Star spoke to some of the eminent cultural personalities to gauge their reactions on this issue.