Why only Kolaveri Kolaveri Di?

Le mama,  "Kolaveri Kolaveri di" super mama. Sounds weird, but has turned out to be a popular hangout usage among many people. Kolaveri, meaning murderous rage, is now popular in many parts of the country, thanks to the peppy song 'Why this kolaveri di?' from upcoming Tamil flick '3'. (Kolaveri Kolaveri ).

The song is written and sung by Dhanush, Son-in-law of superstar Rajanikanth. The song after all is a collection of colloquial words and slang rendered in a rhythm to a beat which is kind of striking chord with the masses. 

If popular literature is all about arranging unconnected colloquial words and slang in a weird sequence so that the masses catch a single word to hum around, then kannada songs of recent times scores much over Kolaveri Kolaveri. 

Bizzare lyrics, sometimes even vulgar lyrics are quite common in Kannada cinema these days. Like kolaveri, we have numerous songs which have virtually (or literally) zero literary value. They are just a few lines of local slang. 

Though not in the same context, close competition to Kloaveri in kannada is  "Chambeshwara" (""ಚಂಬೇಶ್ವರ") written by Yograj Bhat and sung by Punith Rajkumar (Son of legendary actor and singer Padhmabhushana Dr Rajkumar). The song makes no sense and has no essence of literature. It is just a song inserted in the stupid movie for the heck of it. The song has no message and is just a sequence of colloquial words arranged for a beat. But the song was a phenomenon hit. I watched the movie on the day of release in a packed multiplex hall. The crowd whistled to glory once this song started (The movie was so stupid that all the over enthusiastic crowd regretted their whistle) 

Typical example of bizzare and awful lyrics is the song "Amma loose a? " from the kannada movie Dhool (Listen to it here). I do not know the lyricist but whoever he is,  is a causality  with  creativity.  The words are idiotic, sentences are unconnected and there is absolutely no sense in the song. But this was the most popular song in this year's Street Ganesha festival (ಬೀದಿ ಗಣೇಶ. Local artists made merry with this song at all roadside orchestra during this year's Ganesha festival). 

I will be doing unpardonable injustice to Kannada literature if i miss out "Soap hakolo, mi ujkolo" from the movie Junglee. The bizzare lyrics is just a testimony to the fact that popular literature has stooped to such a low level in the state/language which has got eight jnanapeeta awards. 

The list can go on like "Thaglakonde " and "kuri kolina" (ತಗ್ಲಾಕೊಂಡೆ , ಕುರಿ ಕೋಳಿನ) from Shivrajkumar's Jogaiah. Both songs are awful. 


Most kannada songs these days have very low or no literary value. They are seldom completely Kannada. They will either be Hindi or English mix.  Most songs will be a set of awful words rendered to a popular beat. 


It is disheartening that kannada film songs which were at one time, not so long ago, were composed by likes of Hamsalekha, Jayanth kaikini, Monomurthy and host of other literary geniuses is losing its value and charm. Who can forget Hamsalekha's "Devaru hoseda premada Kanava " from the movie muttinahara (ಮುತ್ತಿನಹಾರ).  prema loka, Nanjundi Kalyana, Amruthavarhini, Mungaru male etc are landmark films in the context of kannada film songs. Kannada film industry was the only regional cinema industry which could easily adopt compositions of Popular saints like Purandara dasa and Kanaka dasa into popular cinema. They are perhaps the only industry which could easily adopt poetry from the stalwarts of kannada literature into popular cinema. Goplakrishna Adiga's "yava mohana murali kareyitu" from the movie "America America", Adiga's "Aluva kadalolu theli baruthide nageya haayi dhoni" (ಅಳುವ ಕಡಲೊಳು ತೇಲಿ ಬರುತಿದೆ ನಗೆಯ ಹಾಯಿ ದೋಣಿ) from the movie matadaana and a host of kuvempu songs serve as examples.  Over the course of time , somewhere somehow kannada film industry lost the creativity in song compositions and also started giving up the practice of adoption from popular poetry. 


Anyway back to Kolaveri, i think Kannada camp is not behind in making this kind of compositions. The examples at the start of this essay are tough compositions to the genius of Superstar Rajani's Son-in-law. 


Kannada films and Kannada film songs do not reach the Indian audience. For historical reasons and for a much much better position of Tamil music and Tamil cinema vis-a-vis kannada cinema in the Pan India context, the diffusion and acceptance of Tamil music is faster and deeper. Also the Tamil music and Film cater to a far wider diaspora (Malaysia, Singapore and other eastern countries). Whereas Kannada cinema does not enjoy such a diaspora. But i am sure that the genius of "Chambeshwara" and "Soap hakolo" can one day overtake Kolaveri !!!. 

[PS: This article was published in the the weekendleader (www.theweekendleader.com). It drew considerable flak from both Kannada and Tamil cinema fans both claiming that they can make worse lyrics.]

Morality Crisis

Over the last few months, we are seeing one scam after the other. One or the other scam surfaces every fortnight. It all started with 2G, then CWG. We then had the Adarsh housing society scam. Then the mining scam and so on and so forth. 

Media is kept busy with high profile people frequenting Tihar jail on one side and Parapana Agrahara (In Bangalore ) on the other. In turn media is keeping the people of the country busy by bombarding news (sometimes speculations) and hosting talk shows (PS: No one is facing the nation ). 

People are no doubt frustrated and at the same time helpless. One great paradox of this country is that we are so proud of our vibrant democracy but at the same time, the confidence we have in our elected representatives is at an all time low. 

Nevertheless, People in the country are helplessly watching these developments. Most people have helplessly resigned or are not bothered by the scams. Some end up discussing the sorry state of affairs during the family supper time. Little more frustrated lot have joined the Anna Hazare camp and in their own way trying to do something. One way or the other, most concerned people are giving some vent to their frustration. We just witnessed a while ago an agitated guy taking his anguish on the ICC president (Who also happens to be the agriculture minster of India).  

A former cabinet minister in the central government was arrested in February this year. Later, we have seen a bunch of high profile arrests in Karnataka including its former Chief Minister. Other than him the former tourism minister and the former BWSSB minister of Karnataka were also arrested. However the former CM managed to get bail. 

About a months ago, another high profile arrest happened in Bangalore. But for a change it was not a politician but a film actor. That was Darshan Tugudeepa , who is branded as the "challenging star" in the Kannada film Industry. He was arrested on charges of domestic violence and assault. 

The arrest of Darshan and the former CM of Karnataka and his subsequent release on bail were accompanied with lot of high drama and activity. Though the emotions accompanying these incidents were high and intense, it was not a positive one. 

First, Mr Darshan was arrested of charges of brutal violence. He was reported to have physically assaulted his wife, threatened her on point blank and had held his three year old son by neck and had threatened to kill him. In return, when he was arrested on these charges, huge crowd gathers outside the police station and demands his release. People go on a rampage and damage furniture in the police station demanding the release of their "hero". It was very disturbing to see  some senior people in the kannada film industry also supporting Darshan.  Further, the film industry bans a heroine from Tamil Nadu who apparently had an affair with Darshan from acting in Kannada cinema. They hold her responsible for the imbalance in Darshan's family. 

Rest is history. The film industry influences Darshan's wife to withdraw her complaint and Darshan's film "Sarathi" gets released and its supposed to have done well in box office as well.

The former CM of Karnataka was arrested on charges of corruption involving de-notification of land. Its only second time in the history of this country that a private complaint has lead to  the arrest of a former CM. All in all the former CM is accused in 5 cases including the mining case. 

No doubt,  the former judge of the supreme court of India Justice V.R.Krishna iyer has correctly said "Bail is the rule, Not Jail". Accepted that the charges against the former CM is not yet proved. At the end of the day he may be clean. But the fact is that the former CM is accused of criminal charges. Its now for the honourable courts of this land to deliver justice. 

It is disturbing to see how certain sections of the society have reacted to the former CM's release on bail. We witnessed a festive atmosphere outside Parapana Agrahara when he was released. Crackers, sweets and drums were seen outside the jail premises. He was treated as though he was a "War Hero". There were facebook updates like "Triumph of truth", "Justice delivered" etc etc.  It was after all Bail and not an acquittal. He still faces criminal charges.

Next he goes to Bellary, the political hotspot of Karnataka. He is welcomed with a huge crowd as though he is a hero. Facing criminal charges, having lead a cabinet with two tainted ministers both of whom are in jail now, the former CM addresses a rally and asks for votes. He claims that his party is clean and the administration provided by them so far is the best. (or is that what the people of this country deserve?). Wherever he goes,  a huge crowd rally behind him and   he manages to garner plenty of support. 

It is not about politicians or about people with money. It is about  public reaction and public perception.  It is shameful that an actor who abused his wife and gave her physical torture managed to get so much support (hopefully not sympathy) which eventually lead to the withdrawal of case against him. Its even more shameful that a leader facing criminal charges is welcomed, greeted, honoured and even appreciated in public for his works.  

Morality is seemed to be buried in oblivion. Brazen illegal activity seem to be the norm. The audacity with which immorality is justified in public space is scary. "Hero-worship" was always done in this country. But the recent developments particularly in the case of Darhan is a sign of worsening public values.

(PS: I had met the former CM of Karnataka in a TV program. Later had a chance to make my representation to him. He also acted upon my representation and my problem was partially addressed too)