Salim Merchant, who gained recognition as one half of the Salim-Sulaiman composer duo, is now a major force in advancing independent music in India. Merchant development of a complete system for musicianship which allows artists to express themselves artistically and embrace their cultural backgrounds exists because he understands the limitations which Bollywood film music imposes.
The record label which he established with his brother Sulaiman exists as a proof of his artistic mission. The label enables musicians and lyricists and creators to make music which meets their artistic vision without needing to follow current movie industry standards. Merchant Records has released a collection of music which includes pop music and Ghazals and thumri, which expands the musical options that Indian listeners can access.
The Bhoomi Project is one of Merchant’s most important projects, presenting an annual musical event that combines Indian folk and classical music with modern electronic sounds. This project brings together an eclectic mix of collaborators, from established playback singers to indigenous folk artists, bridging the gap between traditional and modern sounds while celebrating India’s musical plurality.
Merchant observes that the music industry is experiencing a significant shift due to the rise of digital platforms and streaming services. Listeners now actively seek out artists by name, allowing musicians to cultivate their fanbase independently of the film industry. He also stresses that India needs to protect its musical heritage by treating devotional music and folk music and regional music as equally important to popular music.
