‘Kannada folk music needs better representation’

Folk music from Karnataka needs more representation on the global stage, said three-time Grammy-winner Ricky Kej, while speaking at a panel discussion in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The event was held by music streaming platform Spotify and the topic in question was ‘Independent music from Karnataka’. Other panelists included rapper Brodha V, Jishnu Dasgupta from folk/fusion band Swarathma and singer Tanya Shanker. 

“We must embrace our folk music traditions — just like other states. When I visited some manganiyars in Rajasthan I told them they should take their music across the world, and they responded by showing me their thick passports. They may be living in little huts but they have travelled the world performing their music. We must embrace Karnataka’s bhavageethe, dollu kunitha, janapada geethe and other folk music forms,” Kej elaborated.

The panel discussion was followed by a masterclass on using Spotify for Artists, an app geared towards music creators. The event was attended by emerging musicians and the masterclass took them through how they can leverage the app to reach a wider audience. 

Some of the other apps that artistes can use to promote their music and engage fans include BandCamp, Amazon Music for Artists, Sound Cloud, Apple Music for artists, and Reverbnation. 

Representation for independent Kannada music was conspicuous by its absence save for a passing mention in the discussion and one song from Swarathma’s setlist for the evening.