Could you blame me? With the level of volume at which these DJs play anything and at all times in a typical Indian wedding, what else would one think? If they are not deaf, are they leashed out by some on Wall Street who have some futures contract on hearing aids and the like, or are they some agents spawned by the ENT doctors' guild to drum up business for themselves?
My name is not Andy Rooney, and I am not against fun either. And, I do believe that functions like a wedding or a birthday should be nothing but fun. But ask yourself: is it fun to have your ear drums torn apart while you are having a dinner? Or how much social is that social event where you cannot even have a conversation above the unending din? BTW, the writer is also guilty of patronizing the DJ experience once, having been forced into doing so by "the kids" although we did manage to keep the volume level to reasonable limits by making a clear statement to the DJ that his tip depended on how tolerably high the volume was.
Why is it that we seem to need some professional help just to socialize and have fun and to even applaud the stars of the party and the hosts who have kindly invited us? Isn't that funny and weird? Well, I am glad in one way though that in these days when most jobs have been outsourced and off shored, there are some new occupations like DJ-ing that have opened up for some people. I only wish they add value with sensitivity and some aesthetic sense as part of what they do.
To me, the ideal DJ is one who understands sound and sound equipment well. He should know how to position his equipment and equalize sound depending on the needs of the environment avoiding echo, squeaks etc. He is one who should know how to provide professional audio in a way that speakers can be heard clearly (can they use wireless lapel or
headset microphones, given that most clients don't know how to hold a hand held in an optimal way?). He should be someone who knows when to play what type of music. For example, during dinner time, soft instrumental music that does not interfere with people's conversations
and enjoyment of food is what I guess most would prefer to loud music with undesirable vibrations. In short, the DJ should, in the least, understand the difference between noise and sound, period.
I agree there are times when the volume level has to be racked up to maintain a certain level of tempo, like for instance while announcing certain key events like the entry of the bride and groom in a wedding reception or during dance. But that does not mean that it has to be raised to a level exceeding all OSHA standards and provide an experience comparable to that of having a
few jack hammers going in full blast. And, whoever thinks that a subwoofer set at such reverberating levels resembling a never ending passing of gas by a huge dinosaur and amplified manyfold is music? After all, a large audience such as at an Indian wedding invariably includes some old people, babies, and some with ailments who cannot tolerate high levels of noise, and hosts do take offense if they don't show up.
Certainly, the DJ plays a useful role as an MC bringing some order in what would otherwise be a chaotic gathering. But he has to do it in a carefully careless way without appearing to be comical. Some DJs are so mechanical and so contrived in the way they make announcements that it all makes all too Bollywoody and takes away the spontaneity one would not like to lose.
Also, the DJ's overall tone should be one that displays a certain level of respect for the audience and not one treating them like a set of puppets. Sometimes, the whole process reminds one of an old Indian scene of the street gypsy with his monkey with the latter jumping over a stick to each command of the gypsy.
There are many things in which old is gold. There is a need to ask ourselves if this whole canned DJ experience is one that could be modified to bring some of the gold back for greater enjoyment of our social events by most if not all. No one is proposing that we replace the DJ with classical Hindustani music at a slow pace or whatever, but some of us do wish that we be spared of an experience that produces heartburn and headaches.
