VETERAN producer Mooneram Chankar, of both East Indian and calypso music has slammed East Indian formatted radio station 103 FM for sidelining Chutney/soca Chutney artistes on his label.

He has identified top radio jock and entertainer Anil Bheem, as the main man behind the alleged Chutney mafia at the identified station.

Chankar told Sunday PUNCH that several artistes who have enjoyed success under his wings and artistes now coming on the scene, have suddenly found it difficult to get airplay.

“It’s so wrong that one deejay, himself a performing artiste, could to be so selfish that he could shelf the music of other artistes so that he could play his own,” lamented a disappointed Chankar.

“All you hear playing on 103 FM is Anil Bheem’s music, and as a result his songs which are film songs, remains at the top of the chart.”

He also accused Bheem and 103 FM of also promoting “band music” ahead of others.

Veteran producer
MOONERAM
CHANKAR:
I’m hurt.

ANIL BHEEM

“I’m not ashamed to say that my artistes are suffering because of the nonsense going on at the 103 FM.

“If you don’t belong to a band or you don’t have a friend or family in the station, then your music not going anywhere.”

He identified an artiste, who’s music he said has already hit the chart, although it has not been heard on the stations.

“That’s how it is in the chutney industry.”

The three major chutney stations are 101 FM, 103 FM and 106 FM.

Chankar also went on to accuse a deejay from 106 FM whom he alleged demanded payola from him.

He said every artiste deserve a play once the music is good.

“There shouldn’t be conditions.”

The fighting Chankar said he sent of an official letter of complaint to station officials telling them of what was told to him.

“I was hurt and I decided to inform his employers and I have witnesses to prove my case.”

The frustrated producer further revealed that 103 FM wrote a letter to all producers telling them they must submit six copies of each individual artiste to the station.

“That is madness.

“I want to know if they also asked the artistes from India to send them six copies of their CDs,” he went on.

“It’s very unfair that six copies must be given away and not one sold as yet.”

Sunday PUNCH spoke to Rahaman at 103 FM who denied allegations levelled against his radio station and also top entertainer Bheem.

“Our policy is to promote everybody’s music, it serves us nothing to keep down anybody’s music,” Rahaman responded.

Efforts to contact Bheem proved futile as he was said to be out country.
But the Sunday PUNCH is open to him to give his side of the story.