A ‘Cinema Dialogue’ event hosted by the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation focused on the rising issue of obscenity in Bhojpuri songs. Prominent folk singer Bharat Sharma Vyas was a key speaker, expressing his concern. Vyas stated that the vulgarity is the main reason why Bhojpuri music is viewed negatively today. He recalled that 30 years ago, this was not the case, and Bhojpuri songs were free of obscenity. He placed the responsibility not only on singers but also on listeners and platforms providing exposure to this content. He called for punitive measures against singers of obscene songs and encouraged listeners to stop supporting them. Vyas contrasted the current trend with the past, where the emphasis was on quality lyrics, while today, it is on incorporating offensive words to gain viewership. He mentioned that similar attempts to introduce vulgarity in the 90s failed to sustain, with those singers disappearing from the scene. Nand Kumar Tiwari, known for his strong opposition to double-meaning Bhojpuri songs, also spoke, calling for a pledge from artists and writers to avoid such content. Ruby, the General Manager of the Film Corporation, emphasized the importance of promoting classical and folk music. Dr. Ajay, the District Public Relations Officer, stated that good music attracts both audiences and financial success. Shri Arvind Ranjan Das, the film consultant, highlighted the damage caused by obscene songs to the entertainment industry in Bihar and the need to revive healthy musical traditions. The objective of the dialogue was to find solutions to help the Bhojpuri music and film industry reclaim its lost reputation.
Bharat Sharma Vyas, a native of Buxar district, Bihar, has earned the title ‘Bhojpuri Samrat’ because of his contributions to Bhojpuri music. His classical music training was inherited from his father. Vyas began his singing career in 1971 at the age of 14 with the singing of Ramayana verses. His musical journey, which started with a kirtan group, continues for the past five decades. His first audio cassette was released in 1989. He is recognized for popular Bhojpuri songs such as ‘Goriya Chand Ke Ejoriy’ and his music is admired in many countries.