Background music was played even before the recorded dialogues entered the movies. The technology to sync sound and film has not developed. Lumiere Brothers silent movie in 1895 had a live orchestra, and this system continued for several years. Owing to efforts of RCA and Warner Bros, film and sound synchronization became possible. It was since 1908 that we could have the sound and pic in sync. Many movies were produced with Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy which were without dialogues but had background music.

Background music underlines the emotions and creates mood. Cartoon movies used music and sound to create impact, but they had no dialogues.

Jazz singer ( 1927 ) in the USA and Alam Ara ( 1931 ) in India were the first talkies. The dialogues, thereafter, occupied the centrestage. The live music made way for background music.

India is the only country whose hero-heroines sing on the screen. Abroad, you hear songs in only musicals. The songs are included only as background. The characters do not lip sync a song, except the characters in a musical such as Singing in the Rain or West Side Story. Songs and dances are an integral part of Indian movies. Therefore, a music director in Indian movies is one who composes songs. Abroad, a music director is one who gives background music.

A music director must understand film making to music creatively in a film. Similarly, a director must understand music to use it strategically in the film. In the 1960s, directors were driving the films. They employed competent technicians. Directors used to value background music and sound.

In the 1970s, the film industry became glamourous and capital intensive. It attracted money bags to film making, who did not understand the art of film making. The focus shifted from the directors to the stars. The audiences too got attracted by superstars and flimsy dances. Films were commercialised. In this scenario, the background music too lost its significance. Even editing and camera work took a backseat. Background music must be done at economical rates. They started using stock music as background music. It was economical and time saving. However, it became stereotyped and monotonous.