Even with its elite legacy, the stream of non-film and independent music in Kerala has never quite gotten as many accolades as film music has — that is, until now.
But thanks to the efforts of Manoj George — a Grammy Award-winning musician from Thrissur — Kerala has become the first State in the country to honour independent music and musicians. Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph on Monday issued a directive to the Department Secretary seeking to institute awards in the segment from 2015-16 onwards.
“Enjoy the era of independent music in Kerala,” read a Facebook post by the violinist.
Gamechanger
“The music industry is in need of a timely boost in the form of awards and recognition for non-film and independent music and it would be a game-changer if we could take the initiative in this regard, just the same way we had been ushering in changes in different fields,” stated the document submitted by Mr. George to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy last month.
Genres
According to the document, awards could be instituted in the genres of Malayalam ghazal, folk, rock, pop and devotional music among others. It further proposes to have internationally famed musicians in the three-member judging panel and also highlights the need to distribute the awards at a function on a par with film award nights.
Mr. George first raised the issue with the Chief Minister during a function organised as part of the State government’s Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram in August this year.
Addressing the gathering, he requested Mr. Chandy to organise an award function “as grand as the Grammys” for independent musicians of the State.
“I am here to talk about the 80 per cent who do not make it to cinema. But a lot of them do excellent work of their own, as good as any international artiste. I wish the Kerala government would institute a separate award for them, and create a milestone to be followed by other States,” he had said at the function.
In his reply, the Chief Minister had expressed his willingness to consider the proposal and urged Mr. George to submit a detailed proposal in this regard.
