Indian Airlines to Play Indian Music in Planes and Airports
New Delhi: Civil Aviation Ministry issued an advisory at the request of the Indian Council for Culture Relations (ICCR), thereby allowing Indian airlines to play Indian music on aircrafts and airports.
“The music played by most global airlines is quintessential of the country to which the airline belongs, for example, Jazz in American airlines, Mozart in Austrian Airline, and Arab music in an Airline from the Middle East. But Indian Airlines seldom play Indian music on the flight. Our music has a rich heritage and culture, and every Indian is truly proud of it,” the advisory read.
Talking about India’s rich musical heritage, the Ministry said, “India has a rich diversity of traditional music. Indian music encompasses numerous genres and forms, including classical music, folk, light vocal, instrumental music, etc., owing to its vastness and diversity. It has a history spanning several millennia and developed over several geo-locations spanning the sub-continent. Music in India began as an integral part of socio-religious life.”
“We urge you that if playing Indian music can be made compulsory for Indian airlines, it will reach the people. We have seen that airlines in India often only play foreign music, which neither one can enjoy, nor does one understand,” The ICCR President and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Saharabuddhe had said.
The ICCR handed a letter to Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in their headquarters on December 23 and requested to play Indian classical or light vocal and Instrumental music in airports and inside the aircrafts as it helps strengthen the emotional connect among Indians through music and art traditions.
(Avya Mathur)
