A petition demanding the playing of Kannada songs in pubs, gyms and malls has garnered close to 75,000 signatures in a week.
Kannada rap artiste, Alok Babu, popularly known as All Ok, started the campaign on Change.org. He tells Metrolife many businesses in Bengaluru are discriminating against the language.
What encouraged you to start it?
This is a problem we have been facing for a long time. Artistes speak about this on social media but there has been no action. It was about time someone took this seriously. Songs like Gangnam style and Despacito, in languages that we don’t understand, are played and celebrated, so why not Kannada songs? Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city, sure. Our request is two or three Kannada songs on a playlist of 10. A lot of independent artistes in our midst are jobless because Kannada songs are not promoted in our own land.
Why do you feel Kannada is neglected?
Others are not the only ones to blame. Kannadigas have been overly patient. When we feel like listening to Kannada songs at a pub, we never go up and make a request. We are anxious to avoid conflict.
How are people responding?
I am moved by the response. We received over 50,000 signs on the first day and the numbers are increasing. I’m filled with joy to see figures like Robin Uthappa supporting this cause.
We have a long way to go as the Kannada superstars are yet to sign our petition. We will take the petition to the chief minister.
Do you think there will be a change?
We have asked people to tag us on Instagram if they come across Kannada songs being played in public forums.
The response we are getting is overwhelming. People have tagged us in more than 10,000 videos. We are surely not giving up.