The Union aviation ministry has written to all Indian airlines and airport operators, urging them to play “Indian music” on aeroplanes and in airports, noting that it is “seldom played.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation was allegedly acting on a request by the Indian Council of Cultural Research (ICCR).
“Music played by most of the airlines across the globe is quintessential of the country to which the airline belongs, for example, jazz in American airlines or Mozart in Austrian airlines and Arab music in an airline from the Middle East. But, Indian airlines seldom play Indian music in the flight, whereas, our music has a rich heritage and culture and it is one of the many things every Indian has a reason for (being) truly proud of it,” the letter, signed by the ministry’s Usha Padhee says.
It is marked to airlines and airport operators.
The ICCR website notes that a meeting was hosted by the ICCR president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe on December 23, 2021, with Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Indian music in flights operated by Indian companies.
Its press release bears similarity with the civil aviation ministry’s letter to airlines and airports.
“This unique initiative of ICCR to ‘promote the Indian music in flights operated by Indian air companies’ will further help the propagation of our multi-faceted culture, and its dissemination to the larger audience. The music played by most airlines across the globe is the quintessential of the country to which the airline belongs. For example, Jazz music plays in an American airline or Mozart in an Austrian Airline. Indian music mirrors rich heritage and culture and it is one of the many things every Indian has a reason to be truly proud of. This seemingly small change to Indian Council for Cultural Relations play Indian music in flights operated by Indian air companies shall go a long way in igniting love for the motherland in the hearts of our countrymen,” the ICCR notes.
Artists and musicians, including Anu Malik, Kaushal S Inamdar, Malini Awasthi, Shounak Abhisheki, Manjusha Patil K, Sanjeev Abhyankar, Rita Ganguly and Wasifuddin Dagar were also present during the meeting December 23 and were signatories to the letter, Indian Express has reported.
The directive is unclear on whether it wants classical music of various locations across India, folk songs or popular music to be played.
The move comes at a time when air travel has been severely restricted in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
