Our folk music is so rich! But we are a confused nation who still hasn't found its own identity. So unless some foreigner gives his stamp of approval we don't believe our artists are good enough. And since we don't encourage performing arts in our society(how many parents allow their children to become actors/singers?) and look down upon artists , these people have no option but to go to neighboring countries for encouragement.
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I know what you mean..i so know what you mean and its sad! our pop music is good getting recognition good but those folk singers/musicians are just great! i feel so sad to see those people singing such great songs without any great instruments, voice modulations etc and doing such a great job but none of them get what they deserve from their own people. when indians come and take them and give them their due recognition only then i see people fighting in forums kay yeh toh hamara bunda hai. I have a cd which has nusrat fateh/abida parveen and other folk songs in it and all my gora friends asked me to make copies for them when i was in london while some village kay log who come here were like how can you listen to folk songs its such a big besti...but since i didn't bother about their opinions the other day the person called me and told me to send her those songs..they people don't listen to the songs, they don't know anything about it they only like it when a song is liked by someone they are impressed from likes it :s*