Singer Kikkeri Krishnamurthy’s review petition quashed by CJ-headed Bench; petitioner had favoured another singer C. Ashwath’s composition

Bengaluru: Upholding the previous order of a Single-Judge Bench, a two-judge bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha, has yesterday quashed a review petition filed by singer Kikkeri Krishnamurthy, over the composition of Nada Geethe (State Anthem) by renowned singer late Mysore Ananthaswamy, Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate…

After hearing the arguments of advocate appearing on behalf of petitioner, the two-judge bench  dismissed the petition, stating that, the reasons for dismissal will be given in the detailed order copy. “State Government has directed that Nadageethe must be sung as per a specific composition. But, there is nothing in the directive which violates the constitutional rights of the petitioner. Neither anyone is preventing the petitioner from singing Nadageethe in the way he likes,” the Court observed.

The advocate for the petitioner Kikkeri Krishnamurthy argued that Mysore Ananthaswamy had composed music for two Charanas (End section) of Nadageethe. Even though two committees were set up in 2013 and 2014, the Government neither took into account their opinions nor invited objections from public if any, but went ahead with its directive on the rendition of Nadageethe.

“Nadageethe has been composed in several tunes by different composers. There is no binding on rendering National Anthem in a particular style.  Similarly, the Government has no authority to compose music for Nadageethe. The music composed for just two charanas, cannot be applied for the whole of Nadageethe,” argued the advocate for the petitioner.

Eventually, the Two-Judge Bench, concluded that there is no merit in the argument, as the Government has not acted on its free will. Moreover, nobody has restrained you (petitioner) from singing as you wish, going by the rights envisaged by the Constitution.

It may be recalled here that, the State Government had issued a directive on Sept.25, 2022, stating that the Nadageethe should be rendered as composed by Mysore Ananthaswamy, running up to 2 minutes 30 seconds. This was challenged by renowned singer Kikkeri Krishnamurthy. In his petition to the High Court, he had argued that it was C. Ashwath, who had composed music for Nadageethe and hence only his composition must be used. But the High Court had ruled in favour of the State Government.