While most radio stations now have Kannada content, opinion is divided on the use of Kanglish, writes RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA
It has been a roller coaster ride for the radio industry since FM stations burst on the air waves. Phenomenal growth, increase in listener base and competition has pushed radio stations to bring something new for their listeners. Even if programme co ntent has not gone beyond film music, humorous snippets and informative programmes, there is a noticeable trend in almost every radio station; the use of Kannada.
In the beginning radio played western music alongside desi film music. Now the mantra seems to be ‘Kannada keli, Kannada nudi’. While earlier RJs mostly spoke in English, now they are encouraged to speak in Kannada and English or that horrid hybrid, Kanglish, which does nothing for either language.
Right example
T.V. Gurumurthy, actor and banker says: “While it is a welcome move to play more Kannada songs, Kanglish is something which a true language lover will not approve of. I would like to urge RJ’s to use new Kannada words and be fluent so that it sets the right example and will help those who are new to Bangalore and want to learn the language.”
Says Anjali Paul, Station Head, Fever 104: “Our research indicated that even amongst our core target audience, there were those listeners who we had not managed to form enough of a connect with. And it was their request that we increase spoken Kannada as well as the latest Kannada music.
“Today’s Bangaloreans are a mix of traditional and cosmopolitan. Many of them have studied, travelled and lived abroad, had a lot of exposure to life, cultures and trends across the globe. Yet deep down they still take great pride in their culture and mother tongue.”
Writer and lyricist Jayanth Kaikini says: “I do not approve of this kind of format. Shouldn’t radio jockeys be speaking in proper Kannada rather than interspersing the language with English words? I feel radio, should make a genuine effort to talk about the music director, lyricist and other details of a song and RJs ought to speak the language correctly. Of course playing Kannada songs is always to be encouraged.”
Nivedita G.R, a Psychology student in Bangalore University says: “Obviously being a Kannadiga, I love the fact that more Kannada songs are played but I don’t approve of channels using colloquial Kannada, which gives a wrong impression of the language.
“While I am not saying that one should speak in a bookish way, mixing it with too much English is going to make the language lose it flavour.
“It is fine if this new radio language is used for certain shows, but it definitely should not be used all the time.”
While the debate rages about Kanglish on air, the move to play Kannada songs and increased use of Kannada, many agree is a good sign and will go a long way in popularising the language.