“There were many challenges but I managed to overcome them” – Singer Abuzar Akhtar on recording songs during the lockdown

Though lockdown restrictions have been relatively eased ever since they came into effect in March, India, like any other country in the world, is grappling with the effects of the deadly coronabirus. Many industries, including the film and the music industry, have been affected adversely. That has not entirely stopped musicians to come up with new music though. Singer Abuzar Akhtar, who delivered a chartbuster song last year in the form of “Speaker Phat Jaaye” for ‘Total Dhamaal’, released a couple of tracks including a reprised version of “Gazab Ka Hai Din” (‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’) and a medley of popular friendship-based songs on his YouTube channel during this period.

“The lockdown affected the music industry severely, but I managed to create some good music during this time. A lot of musicians tend to have a small studio setup at their home but I do not have one. But, I did not let that act as a hindrance. There were many challenges but I managed to overcome them. I dubbed the songs in a quiet and controlled environment on my phone. My wife shot the videos and I learnt video editing to be able to edit those videos myself. All the songs I released during the lockdown were shot at my home”, he says.

A decade back, Abuzar was somebody who had a flourishing business and was far away from the profession he is in today. The birth of his son inspired him to follow his long-lost dreams and that is when he decided to pursue music professionally. He started learning music in a disciplined manner and then, entered the industry as a singer.

“God has been kind. I have received a lot of love for all the work I have done. The lockdown definitely slowed down things significantly. Films are not being shot and that has affected the music industry too. I used to perform at live events extensively and that also stopped since the time the lockdown came into being. It is also unfortunate that sponsors do not support independent artistes enough. People put money in your music only if you have a bunch of Bollywood hits to your credit”, he remarks about the state of the music industry.

While Abuzar has released a bunch of tracks on his YouTube channel that have been received very well, he has a couple of more songs lined up. These include a romantic number, a break-up song and a Sufi track. These songs will release over the next couple of months.

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