It’s payback time for singer Lucky Ali

His voice has always stood out and now, singer-composer-actor Lucky Ali has taken a novel step to promote performing artists who need all the support. Having been appointed one of the directors of the Culture Commission Establishment of the European Union Commission has just served to make his convictions and belief in the cause stronger.

“There are countless artists in the Indian diaspora who are into poetry reading, stand-up comedy, theatre, ghazals, shayaris and unfortunately, all these forms have almost disappeared from the contemporary scene. In fact, they almost became extinct even before the technology boom. All we want to do is to protect what is our own and in the process, give credence to talent and the performing arts,” explains Lucky.

And the job doesn’t end there. “Apart from popularising and promoting talent within the country, we also intend to take them to different countries in Europe where such forms are held in high esteem and considered very Indian,” he adds.

Of course, scouting for such talent will be quite a task but Lucky chooses to differ. “I don’t work hard, I work smart. I know my strengths well and respect the strengths of others as well and this task will be the combined effort of many responsible individuals — I’m just the face and spokesperson,” he states. Having been in the music scenario for 15 years now, Lucky feels that his contemporaries are also working towards protecting and promoting talent in their own ways.

“I see a recognisable concern among all performing artists. It’s sad but true that music companies have commercialised the scene — they decide what the public should hear and it turns out to be the same thing over and over again,’ he rues, adding, “Our effort is hence focused at preserving the culture.”

To prove a point, Lucky’s last number was not released by any music company or label but was released on the Internet to be downloaded for free. “I found this to be the most desirable process — it gave me direct access to my listeners and also was a small step towards curbing piracy. It was my way to taking the message forward,” he says. Point out that this is something Indian listeners are not used to and he retorts, “But nobody was used to Lucky Ali’s music either — it takes some time to grow. Moreover, I have grown up in the industry and this is pay back time.”