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It's YOUR call
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So let's exchange our ring tones, baby
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— Photo: A.M. Faruqui
You can download your favourite tunes.
AH! THE sheer luxury of being seated in a multiplex, eyes glued to the screen, swigging cola and chomping on popcorn... when suddenly in the midst of all that mush (onscreen and off) "Dhoom Macha" loudly cuts in to a collective groan. You struggle to ignore the Bollywood track accompanying di Caprio's flight of fancy and munch on. Bravely.
A difference of perception might however come in when the movie you're watching is insidiously threatening to give you a headache. Then the same melody could come as comic relief. So much for mobile ring tones.
There is a flood of ring tone options for the music-crazy population. And the options on offer to download ring tones are unbelievable.
"Regular ring tones that come with the handsets are extremely monotonous and annoying," says Alok, a copywriter with an ad agency. "When you download a ring tone you can choose a tune that is softer and belongs to your favourite list of songs or singers."
There are those who like to let their cell phones ring just enough to get their fill of the tune that they have downloaded. "I can download my girlfriend's favourite tunes and play them for her," gushes Ashish, a hotel management student. "Peppy numbers help break the monotony of a serious day. It is a refreshing change from routine," says Radhika, a call centre employee. "I like my phone to look and sound different from others. So I choose ring tones that can help me personalise my phone. I don't have to rummage in my bag every time I hear a phone ringing, because mine is distinct."
"I could not afford the time and money to attend the Mark Knopfler show, but it felt nice to be able to download ring tones featuring Sting's numbers," says Amit Aggarwal.
For the buffs as also the uninitiated, there are full-fledged online ring tone stores. From charging per download to a monthly flat rate for numbered downloads, it is now boom time for the ring tone industry. "The ring tones can be downloaded as polyphonic and monophonic tones," informs Rajneesh Roy, a senior manager with a brand management company, who also follows hard rock and alternative music. "Polyphonic ring tones comprise multiple tones and therefore sound better." Says Alok: "Usually your cell phone operators offer you enough choice and you don't have to go to an online store, especially when it comes to ring tones of latest Bollywood hits."
There is, however, a flip side to the story. "Ring tones are all that you hear around you nowadays," says a peeved Varsha. "Switch on the TV and you hear ring tones. It's difficult to get a quiet moment even in a park or at a restaurant no matter what time of day it is." "There are those who don't mind the intruding ring tones as long as the volume is low," says Jagriti, an executive with a local NGO.
"You can't take it for granted that everyone shares your passion for the loud distilled mechanical renditions of Bollywood numbers," says an annoyed father. "Well said," some might agree.
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Hot favourites
TV soaps' theme songs such as Jassi jaisi koi nahi
Mark Knopfler's retro tunes.
Big favourite is Money for Nothing.
Rock, reggae, hymns and bhajans
Bollywood numbers
Tamil film songs
Saare jahaan se accha
DEEPSHIKA MEHTA
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