The Undervalued Gems of Kannada Music – Why Do We Wait for External Validation?

 The Undervalued Gems of Kannada Music – Why Do We Wait for External Validation?

Kannada cinema and music have long been known for their rich cultural heritage, soulful melodies, and lyrical depth. However, there is a concerning trend where Kannada songs, despite being high in quality and emotional appeal, often remain unnoticed by the very audience they are created for—Kannadigas. This lack of initial appreciation from the Kannada-speaking community has led to many beautiful songs being overlooked until they receive validation from external platforms or non-Kannada speakers.

This is not just about individual songs but about the broader pattern where Kannada songs find their due recognition only after they are picked up by social media trends, endorsed by non-Kannadigas, or adapted into other languages. Let’s explore this unfortunate trend through real-life examples and dive deeper into why it happens.

1. "Chalisuva Cheluve" from Ullasa Utsaha (2009)

The song "Chalisuva Cheluve" from the 2009 movie Ullasa Utsaha is a perfect illustration of this trend. Composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar and sung by Sonu Nigam, this song had all the elements of a hit—beautiful melody, soothing vocals, and heartfelt lyrics. Yet, it largely went unnoticed by the Kannada audience when it was first released. It was only when the Tamil version of the song, "Manasellam Mazhaiye," gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Reels that Kannadigas started revisiting the original Kannada track.



This trend of ignoring original Kannada songs until they gain external recognition raises important questions. Why do Kannada listeners fail to appreciate their own creations until someone else endorses them? It’s a sobering reflection of how we sometimes overlook our cultural gems, only to realize their beauty when validated by outsiders.

2. "Kavaludaari" (2019)

Another perfect example of an underrated gem is the soundtrack of Kavaludaari, composed by Charan Raj. This investigative thriller received critical acclaim, but its haunting and captivating soundtrack did not get the attention it deserved immediately. Tracks like "Maayavi Kanase" and the film's background score were a perfect fit for the movie’s mysterious tone. Yet, Kannada listeners largely ignored this musical brilliance upon release.

It wasn’t until Kavaludaari was discussed in film review circles outside Karnataka that people started to appreciate the album. This delayed recognition indicates a deeper issue—Kannada audiences often wait for external validation to appreciate their own music. Charan Raj’s composition for Kavaludaari deserved immediate attention from Kannadigas, but it had to wait for outside recognition to be celebrated.

3. "Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu" (2016)

The soundtrack of Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu by Charan Raj is another beautiful example of how good Kannada music often takes a backseat. Songs like "Athiratha Maharatha" and "Paravashanadenu" are soulful, deeply emotional, and perfect in their expression of the movie's theme. Yet, these songs did not gain mainstream attention upon release.



Like many other Kannada songs, they were overlooked by the local audience until they received appreciation from national film circles. As soon as the movie gained traction outside Karnataka, especially in Tamil and Malayalam-speaking regions, Kannada listeners finally began to give the songs the attention they deserved. This again reflects how we sometimes wait for others to tell us how valuable our own music is.

4. "Ondu Motteya Kathe" (2017)

Ondu Motteya Kathe, a quirky film that touched the hearts of many, featured a simple yet impactful soundtrack composed by Midhun Mukundan. Songs like "Thanuvu Ninnade" and "Baare Baare" beautifully conveyed the narrative’s emotional depth. But, similar to the previous examples, these songs did not gain the attention they deserved from Kannada listeners when the movie was first released.



It was only after the movie started gaining recognition outside Karnataka, especially in film festivals and among film critics from other regions, that the soundtrack of Ondu Motteya Kathe was appreciated by Kannada audiences. Once again, the delay in recognizing local talent shows how much we, as Kannadigas, rely on external approval to appreciate our own culture.

Why Does This Happen?

The delayed recognition of Kannada songs can be attributed to several factors:

  1. Cultural Inferiority Complex: There is a tendency among some Kannadigas to undervalue local art and music, assuming that anything created in other languages (especially Tamil, Hindi, or Malayalam) is inherently superior. This cultural inferiority complex has led to Kannada content being sidelined until it receives external validation.

  2. Lack of Promotion: Often, Kannada songs and movies don’t get the same level of promotion and marketing as films in other languages. This lack of visibility within the state makes it harder for these songs to gain traction without an external push.

  3. Social Media Influence: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become powerful tools for promoting music. When a song goes viral in another language, Kannadigas are more likely to discover the Kannada version only after it gains popularity on these platforms.

  4. Disconnection from Roots: As globalization spreads and people are exposed to more international and national media, there is sometimes a disconnect between Kannadigas and their local cultural products. The exposure to Hindi or English songs on mainstream platforms can overshadow appreciation for Kannada music.

Conclusion: The Need for Cultural Reawakening

It’s time for Kannadigas to reflect on this pattern and start appreciating their own music, art, and culture without waiting for external validation. The examples above demonstrate that Kannada music, whether it’s from a blockbuster film or a smaller indie production, has the power to move hearts. The delay in recognizing these masterpieces only robs Kannada artists of the recognition they deserve.

Kannada music and cinema are thriving with creativity, and it’s up to Kannadigas to celebrate these gems from the moment they are released. Let’s support Kannada songs from the start and give our own artists the love and appreciation they deserve without waiting for external platforms to tell us what’s valuable.

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