Dhaka: Bangladesh in the last decade witnessed a massive change in music listening medium thanks to the emergence of digitized system.

Following the disappearance of cassette, sale of the CD (Compact Disc) is on the brink of expiry, as the industry has changed the way of music release for the bliss of technology. To adapt the modern technology, artists are now releasing albums through digital media, said industry insiders. 

They said country's one of popular band LRB recently released an album "Rakhe Allah Mare Ke" through Robi Axiata's music service 'Robi Radio'. Another popular band Feedback released "Ekhon" album through Grameenphone music while Warfaze's "Sottyo" album was released with Banglalink's Music Station and popular singer Anusheh Anadil published a solo album on her website. 

Besides, artist Shusmita Anis released "Keu Januk Ar Nai Januk" music video through YouTube channel and over the last seven months, over 4.4 million audiences watched the video song. 

Shusmita Anis told BSS that "Nowadays people are busy and they seldom get time to listen to songs in CDs. It's all because of busy life. Now people are listening songs by music apps, Facebook and YouTube. So, artists have to adapt with the change to go forward." 

However, she feels it's important to learn the opportunities of technology for artists. 

"Artists are deprived always. Though they got praises for their creativity and unique presentation, they are deprived of fair payment. To prevent this unfair practice, service providers and government should work together," added Shusmita Anis. 

On the other hand, owner of Anupam Recording Studio Anwar Hossain said, "Now songs are being sold through different media. Once, there was only one medium. Millions of CDs were sold. After 2008, the crash came down in the business. Earlier, I used to make 20,000 to 30,000 copies of a CD. Now it is difficult to sell 200 copies." 

He informed that few years ago there were more than 170 members of music company owners' organization. Now it came down to only 86. 

Founder president of Bangladesh Music Owners Association Nazmul Haque Bhuiyan said, "CDs are published only for publication festival and preservation purpose now. We are adapting with the change of technology as people are listening songs through apps and social media. And there are many music services of mobile phone operators." 

Artists would get honorarium and royalty only after sale of CD. Now they get it from mobile phone operators' revenue sharing. 

Robi Axiata's Vice President (Communications and Corporate Responsibility) Ekram Kabir said, "Artists can release their music to Robi Yonder Music or Airtel Yonder Music. They get royalty from there. It is more effective to get revenue with the method of music downloading and listening than traditional cassette sales."