A slew of Bengali TV channels are hosting shows featuring established as well as amateur rock groups. This has helped in the growth of the music genre which has caught the young generation by a storm.
"The regular competitions that they organise also help experiment with new sub-genres like in the West," Nondon Bagchi, who is long associated with the Bangla rock music scene, said.
The TV shows also gave a fresh lease of life to Bangla rock music, which of late has been witnessing a downfall with the emigration of several big-time rock singers to Bollywood.
The famous among the flock is Pritam, a former member of the popular Bangla rock band Chandrabindoo, who is making waves in Mumbai film music industry.
Also recently, Rupam, the lead singer of Fossils band went to Bollywood to try out his luck there. It is indeed a big blow to the rock music in Kolkata. Rupam has sung a hit from the film Jane tu Ya Janne Na.
Channels like Sangeet Bangla, Aksash Bangla and ETV Bangla regularly broadcast shows like Band-e-mataram, Band Wagon and Band-e-monium introducing fresh voices.
However, a debate is going on among the music lovers on whether the TV shows are really contributing positively to the rock scene or trivialising it by promoting singers and groups with no talent.
Aditya Sen, a member of an upcoming rock band, who participated in Band-e-Mataram, defended the shows saying, they are at least giving a platform to the aspiring rock singers and bands.
The founder of Independence Rock, a 22-year-old rock event, Farhad Wadia, however begged to differ. "Nothing can replace live shows which can make or mar a band or a singer," he said.
Asked about the future of Bangla rock music, Bagchi says, "If the bands are able to preserve basic Indian ethos and thoughts in western sound, they are here to stay."
