by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Aug 15: The State anthem (Nada geethe) 'Jai Bharatha jananiya thanujathe' pen-ned by Jnan-pith laureate Kuvempu, which had triggered a major controversy over its contents, has now landed in one more controversy. This time it is the row over its tune.

Soon after the experts committee headed by noted litterateur Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa submitted its report to the Government last week recommending duration and the tune, a debate has begun among literary and sugam sangeet circles.

In the wake of reports that noted singer C. Aswath is going around to get his tune accepted, the supporters of Mysooru Ananthaswamy held demonstration on Friday in Bangalore urging the Government to retain the tune of Ananthaswamy who made the poem popular.

It is said, Aswath recently met the Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and other Ministers lobbying for his tune claiming that he had made major contribution to the field of culture in Karnataka.

However, pro-Ananthaswamy activists including playback singer B.K. Sumithra argue that Ananthaswamy's tune should be accepted as it is in practice since decades.

Most of the sugam sangeet exponents and critics here favour Ananthaswamy's tune. Musicologist Vidwan Nanjundaswamy said that Ananthaswamy's tune was the 'best.' He, however, declined to comment on the tune of Aswath.

Noted singer H.R. Leelavathi said that Ananthaswamy's tune is already in practice and it is very popular among singers and the audience.

"Keeping in view the contributions made by Ananthaswamy to popularise Kannada poets including Kuvempu, we should respect him. Just because he is no more, we should not give up his tune," she added.

She said that though she was first in 50s to sing Jai Bharatha Jananiya thanujathe with her own tune, she does not want to claim that her tune should be accepted.

Noted music critic S.R. Krishnamurthy also endorsed the views of Leelavathi. "It is not important which tune is easy to follow, but it is very important which tune is already in practice. Any singer can adjust to Ananthaswamy's tune, but C. Aswath's tune is in high pitch, which is difficult to follow," he added.

In the meanwhile, the Shivarudrappa Committee, which has recommended to retain the tune of Ananthaswamy, has reduced the duration of the song from eight minutes to three minutes.

The Government has to take a final decision on the State anthem before the commencement of golden jubilee of Karnataka formation (Nov. 1).