I didn't get what I was searching for off EMN. How can I search better?
Try the "variations" link on the results page. That link will let you try
variant spellings of the first few words of the query. If you still cannot
find what you're looking for, click on the "Advanced Search" link
to perform two kinds of advanced searches. First, the multi-search, where
you can try transliterating the same song in 3-4 different ways to give EMN
a better idea of what you're looking for. Second, the combo-search, where
you can specify combinations of singers, music directors, lyricists, etc.
to narrow down your query.
How can I listen to audio files off EMN's site?
Unfortunately, you cannot. We can't help you much with the audio files.
For copyright reasons, EMN does not store audio files on its own site.
All right, can EMN recommend other sites where I can listen to music?
Try www.raaga.com,
www.musicindiaonline.com or
www.smashits.com.
These sites are not affiliated to EMN! We cannot guarantee their
content, correctness or even existence. We cannot help with locating other
sites related to music.
Where can I buy tapes, CDs, T-shirts and other film merchandise?
We do not buy or sell any film/song merchandise and cannot help you with
finding sources for these.
Why are there ads on EMN's pages?
To defray costs of maintaining this site. Rest assured, we're not retiring
on this income. Clicking on the ads gives us a modicum that we can use to
pay the costs of keeping this site up for you.
How can I get lyrics to song XXX?
You can view the
lyrics for many of the songs on our site. Click on the lyrics icon like the
one on the right and view ther lyrics of the song in a new window. These
lyrics are linked from either a site called
The ITRANS Song Book or
a site called Geet Manjusha.
As far as possible we have tried to link all songs available there into our
database. Anything not available off our database is probably not there as
well, and is not available to us. If we don't have the lyrics to a song, you
will not see a lyrics icon next to it.
Can you give me information for song XXX, movie XXX, singer XXX, etc.?
The information available off our web pages represents the sum total of
the information we have. As far as possible, we keep our databases
up-to-date with information available to us. In short, if you can't get it
off our web interface, we don't have it. We cannot help you with web sites
of specific singers, actors or other entities.
Why can I not see the results in Hindi?
- Our database is stored in the Roman script, i.e., the script used to write in English. All our searches are based on that script. Therefore, our results are also described in the Roman script.
- Next to some of
the results you should see an icon like the one on the right. Clicking
on this icon will show you the lyrics of that song in the Devnagari
script we use to write in Hindi. Not all songs have this icon because
we do not have the lyrics to all songs.
Why do I sometimes see information which is not a link?
At EMN, we verify every bit of information we get - this process is called
curating. As far as possible, we present curated information, i.e.,
information which you can click on to search better. However, when we
receive large volumes of data, we may choose to include uncurated
information so that our visitors can get a good idea what the information
is. However, we do not present uncurated information as links because this
information may not yield good searches.
How does EMN keep its database up-to-date and accurate?
EMN receives song contributions that correct or add to our database daily.
We review each contribution (yes, each contribution) before
changing our database. Corrections are purposely not made automatically. We
try to verify the accuracy of every correction as much as possible. Beyond
our means, we rely on the honour and decency of our contributors to not
enter false information on purpose.
How quickly will my corrections take effect?
As soon as they are reviewed. The process may take as long as a week.
There's really no need to send the correction in again and again expecting
an immediate change - won't happen.
How does the MantraTM search
technology work?
Quite well, thank you. Seriously though, that information is proprietary.
We have algorithms that correct for transliteration errors. Add to that our
expert reading of tea leaves, farm animal entrails, crystal balls, 8-balls,
phases of the moon and shadows on the Stonehenge, and you get a fair idea of
how our search technology works.
Can Mantra be applied to databases other than Hindi film songs?
Certainly. In fact, Mantra is not restricted to Hindi either - it's a
language-independent technique. If you'd like to use Mantra for other
databases, click on "Comments" and let us know.
Can I get a copy of EMN's song database?
No. Unless you make a really compelling argument. Click on
"Comments" and make it.
How can I put a link to my site on EMN's pages?
First, links must be reciprocal. If your link appears on our page, then our
link must appear on yours. Second, we must approve of your
content. Third, we reserve the right to add/remove any links we choose on
our pages. Click on "Comments" to contact us regarding links.
Can I place EMN's search engine on my own pages?
Sure. Make sure you credit us close to where you place our engine - that's
just fair. Then, in order to place the engine on your page cleanly, paste
the following HTML where you intend for it to appear:
<form method=post action=http://www.earthmusic.net/dsearch.php> <b>Search </b> <select name=stype size=1> <option value=song selected>song by song name</option> <option value=singer>song by singer name</option> <option value=md>song by music director name</option> <option value=lyricist>song by lyricist name</option> <option value=movie>song by movie name</option> <option value=year>song by year</option> <option value=yearspan>song by year range</option> <option value=actor>song by actor name</option> <option value=mmovie>movie by movie name</option> </select> <input type=text name=query size=30> <input type=submit value=Go><br> </form> <h4>Powered by EarthMusic Network<font size=-1><sup>TM</sup></font></h4>This snippet should make the following form appear on your page.
Powered by EarthMusic NetworkTM
You're welcome to change the words in the form or the look-and-feel. You're also welcome to give your users fewer choices than are visible here. For example, you may wish to restrict your users to see only songs sung by Kishore Kumar. Feel free to modify the HTML above to achieve what you want. Don't forget to credit us clearly!
How can I help EMN?
Several ways:
- Add to our database. Click on the "Additions" link.
- Correct our database. Click on the "Corrections" button next to any song that needs correcting.
- Don't enter junk information. We get tons of junk "contributions" to our database. Weeding them out is a significant waste of time. Be responsible.
- Donate money to us. EMN does not run on good wishes and flowers alone, although those are welcome. Any monetary contribution is welcome because it helps defray costs of keeping EMN up. Click on the "Comments" link if you'd like to help.
- Donate to a worthy cause, such as CRY.
- Take a stand against crassness, nonsense and tunelessness in Hindi film songs. Refuse to buy music that's not worth the price of the cassette/CD.