City folks are up in arms. The recent Ban on Live music, perceived as a bolt from the blue, has stirred quite a bit of unrest and angst in Bengaluru. In a bid to stem the tide and prevent independent musicians from losing a source of their livelihoods; a volley of Bengalureans are all set to stage a protest at Vapour Brewpub, Indiranagar to help save not only the ‘scene’ but the heart and soul of the city. The event, set to take place on July 29, Sunday, will see the coming together of professionals from varied jobs to find ways to fight this with immediate effect. We delve deeper...
Shame Bengaluru shame: “The ban on live music in Bengaluru is unfortunate, disappointing and is a direct attack on a musicians fundamental right to work and earn a living in this city. I strongly condemn this directive and hope the authorities reverse this,” opines Harish Sivaramkrish-nan, lead vocalist of the renowned Carnatic Progressive Rock act, Agam.
He adds that the protest should be perceived as a collective responsibility that every Bengalurean should partake in. “I welcome the coming together of musicians in the city to protest against this move and I wish the folks understand that we are just like any one of them and playing music is our livelihood. I request you to stand by our side in what’s our fight to live, sustain and provide for our families by playing live music.”
Harish Sivaramakrishnan
Harrowed by the warped policies, owners are equally ridiculing the move. Viraj Suvarna, owner of Take 5, a popular venue for live gigs shares “I wonder if police stations have Occupancy certificate. We have been having live music for 15 years and have absolutely no problems with our neighbours. In fact, most of them come to listen to the music in my place.”
Viraj also questions the logic behind the ban. “Banning live music under the guise of entertainment licence, which the police very well know is impossible to get is bizarre.”
90 percent of the pubs are situated in buildings, with a height below 15 meters, a decade ago did not require occupancy certificate or fire safety certificate.
“If occupancy is a must, then why target only the pubs. The rules should apply to schools, temples, apartments, houses, offices, any place of business. We are going to voice all this at the protest,” Viraj says.
City folk cry foul: “We would like the government to separate between live bands and dance bars. There is a bias and it’s encroacing on my career, begins Akhilesh Kumar, a musician and independent artiste.
“It’s unfair that live bands have been banned for licensing issues and noise pollution, however the same is not enforced with bands that play regional music for festivals and special occasions.... We hope the government takes people, who will actually be affected, into consideration and work WITH people rather than those who make impulsive decisions.”
Contemplating the big move: Ketan Bahirat, a musician producer shares, “If we don’t get to perform live, a lot of us can’t sustain a living as this is our job. The last time something like this happened, people moved to Mumbai and Hyderabad to get more work and perform. It’s going to be tough if things don’t work.”
