Latest news with #MalayalamLanguage
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP's Syndicate member opposes inclusion of Vedan song in Calicut varsity syllabus
A Syndicate member aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the University of Calicut has sought removal of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali or Vedan, which has been included in the syllabus of the fourth semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course in affiliated colleges. A.K. Anuraj, the Syndicate member, in a letter to P. Raveendran, Vice-Chancellor, said that Mr. Murali was recently arrested in a drug-related case. 'He is currently out on bail, which does not mean that he has been acquitted. In addition to this, he was also taken into custody by the Kerala Forest department for possessing a leopard tooth,' Mr. Anuraj said. The song Bhoomi njan vazhunnidam, anudinam narakamayi marunnidam, which is a commentary on global issues, is part of the 'Introduction to Comparative Literature', under the module Puthupravanathakal. It will be taught along with Michael Jackson's song They don't care about us, which talks about racial injustice. The Syndicate member said that Mr. Murali's widely circulated videos had visuals showing him consuming liquor in the company of others. The language he used in his songs and public speeches was often unparliamentary and of poor quality, Mr. Anuraj alleged. He claimed that including his work in the syllabus of the university would send a wrong message to students, parents and the academic community, adding that it would also 'question the culture of our country'.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vedan's song included in Calicut University syllabus
The University of Calicut has included Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna idam, a Malayalam rap song by rapper and songwriter Hirandas Murali, aka Vedan, in the syllabus of the fourth-semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course. A powerful commentary on global issues, the song has been included in Introduction to Comparative Literature, under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends). Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna Idam is a rap song that reflects on global crises, from the Syrian war and Palestinian genocide to the death of Aylan Kurdi and the brutal murder of Asifa in Kashmir. The lyrics goes like Bhoomi njaan vaazhunnidam anudinam narakamaayi maarunnidam... (Earth is where I bide, which is closer to hell with each passing day...), highlighting the collective suffering of the people of the world. It will be taught alongside Michael Jackson's They Don't Care about Us, which tackles racial injustice, as part of a comparative study of Malayalam and American rap cultures. Vedan who came to the limelight with his debut music video Voice of the Voiceless in 2020, is widely known for his politically charged lyrics, often rooted in his identity as a Dalit man and reflecting the struggles of the marginalised. 'Today's culture is predominantly shaped by digital media, and it is important to incorporate these changes into the curriculum,' said M.B. Manoj, head of Malayalam and Kerala Studies department, University of Calicut. Inclusion of songs 'Many tend to oppose the inclusion of songs in the Malayalam literature syllabus, but to ignore them is to resist cultural shifts. By including these works, we encourage students to critically engage with them rather than remain passive viewers,' he said, stressing the importance of adapting to the changing times. The module also includes comparative study of Kathakali Padam (Kathakali song) Ajita Hare... Madhava by Muringur Shankaran Potti and its modern rendition Ajita Hare by Gouri Lakshmi, analysing how classical art forms have evolved in the current era. Dr. Manoj said that the department had also included Malayalam film songs in its multidisciplinary course (MDC) Cinemayum Sahithyavum (Cinema and Literature), featuring tracks ranging from the classic Pennale Pennale... from Chemmeen to Nadin Nanmakane Ponmakane Muthayavane... from the 2024 film Aavesham.
