The debate as to which is more important - the singer or the song - continues with no conclusive answer.
In the 1950’s, two movies were made entitled “Mirza Ghalib”; one was Indian and the other was Pakistani. The Pakistani version had Ghalib’s verses sung by Noor Jehan. The Indian “Mirza Ghalib” starred Suraiya, who also sang Ghalib’s verses. In the pantheon of singing greats, Noor Jehan as a singer is considered superior to Suraiya, yet nobody remembers the Pakistani “Mirza Ghalib”. Movie buffs view the Indian “Mirza Ghalib” as a classic, which they attribute to the high caliber of the songs written by the music composer for the Indian “Mirza Ghalib”. In this tussle, it was the power of the composition of the song and not the singer that prevailed.
Hitler’s message to Germans that they were the master race might have fallen flat if left to a less adroit orator but the way he spoke mesmerized his German audience who ignored his many failings and pledged blind fidelity to Hitler’s leadership.
Then, too, Lenin’s vision of a proletarian utopia might not have taken off if he were not a capable speaker and skilled proponent in bringing to life the works of Karl Marx, leading to the Russian Revolution of 1917. But for Lenin, Das Kapital may have become forgotten.
The anti-Shah movement gained momentum when it was joined by Ayatullah Khomeini. The majority of Iranian people believed in Khomeini, with that belief facilitating the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Khomeini’s gravitas, charisma, and credibility largely made it possible.
After 9/11, the US launched a PR blitz in the Muslim world to send the message that Muslims are happy, safe and prospering in America, but there were few if any buyers. The problem was the song. The claim could not withstand critical scrutiny when juxtaposed against credible anecdotes recounted by American Muslims of mistreatment, prejudice, arbitrary arrests, and detention.
On the Palestinian dispute, facts, law, and equity are on the side of the Palestinians. But the crushing mediocrity of Palestinian spokesmen and their inability to launch a moving and viable counter strategy against Israel and its supporters has hurt their cause. In this case, it is the singer and not the song that has prevailed.
Images, impressions, and perceptions can move an intended audience and give credence to the message being conveyed. But if the message itself is flawed, the momentum ultimately cannot be sustained. It is said that we are judged not by our words but by our deeds. But if our deeds remain unknown and unsung, how fair will be the judgment? Where is the song without the singer, and the singer without the song? The debate continues.
