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Cover of BollySwar: 1981 - 1990

BollySwar: 1981 - 1990

Written by Param Arunachalam

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2,457 pages, about 49 hours of reading

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About this book

BollySwar is a decade-wise compendium of information about the music of Hindi films. Volume 6 chronicles the Hindi film music of the decade between 1981 and 1990. This volume catalogues more than 1000 films and 7000 songs, involving more than 1000 music directors, lyricists and singers. An overview of the decade highlights the key artists of the decade - music directors, lyricists and singers - and discusses the emerging trends in Hindi film music. A yearly review provides listings of the year's top artists and songs and describes the key milestones of the year in Hindi film music. The bulk of the book provides the song listing of every Hindi film album released in the decade. Basic information about each film's cast and crew is provided and detailed music credits are provided. Where available, music credits go beyond information regarding music directors, lyricists and singers, and include the names of assistants, arrangers, recordists, etc. Where applicable, music related awards are listed. Interesting trivia is listed for most films. This includes information about artist debuts, plagiarised or sampled songs, controversies and stories behind the making of the film and its music. This book is primarily meant as a quick reference for people looking for information related to a Hindi film or a song, but readers can also browse through the book to get an overview of the events that shaped Bollywood music in the decade. Given that Hindi films are a reflection of the Indian society, the reader can also glean insights about the country's socio-political and cultural environment from the book.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in BollySwar: 1981 - 1990, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • Informative
  • Detailed
  • Historical

BollySwar: 1981 - 1990 is the sixth volume in a comprehensive series, meticulously cataloging the Hindi film music of the 1980s. This monumental compendium details over 1000 films and 7000 songs, crediting more than 1000 music directors, lyricists, and singers from the decade. Beyond mere listings, it offers insightful overviews of key artists, emerging trends, and yearly milestones, providing a critical lens on the evolution of Bollywood music. Functioning as both a quick reference and a browsable historical record, the book also uncovers fascinating trivia, including artist debuts, plagiarized songs, controversies, and behind-the-scenes stories. Ultimately, it serves as an invaluable resource for understanding not just the music, but also the socio-political and cultural landscape of India reflected through its cinema.

BollySwar is a decade-wise compendium of information about the music of Hindi films.

Key themes

Archival and Cultural Preservation
The fundamental theme of BollySwar is the meticulous documentation and preservation of the rich history of Hindi film music. It systematically catalogues an entire decade's output, ensuring that the details of films, songs, and the artists involved are not lost to time. This acts as a vital cultural archive for future generations and researchers.
Evolution of an Art Form
The book tracks the dynamic changes and developments within Hindi film music during the 1980s. Through its overviews of key artists and emerging trends, it illustrates how musical styles, lyrical themes, and production techniques evolved, reflecting both internal industry shifts and external cultural influences.
Socio-Cultural Reflection
Hindi films, and by extension their music, are presented as a mirror to Indian society. The book implicitly or explicitly offers insights into the socio-political and cultural environment of India during the 1980s, revealing how public sentiments, values, and events influenced cinematic themes and musical expressions.

Worth discussing

How does the evolution of Hindi film music in the 1980s reflect broader socio-political and cultural changes in India?

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