Latest news with #Vedan
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
University staff organisation against exclusion of Vedan's songs from CU syllabus
The Confederation of University Employees Organisations, Kerala, has urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is also the Chancellor of Calicut University (CU), to direct P. Raveendran, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), not to exclude the songs of rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) and singer Gowry Lekshmi from the syllabus of the B.A. (Malayalam) course. In a letter to the Chancellor, Hari Lal, general secretary of the organisation, alleged that the V-C is reportedly planning to remove the songs earlier included in the syllabus based on a report by M.M. Basheer, literary critic. Mr. Lal claimed that Mr. Basheer was asked to examine the songs after some people with a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh background filed complaints against them. 'This is a ploy to saffronise the secular mindset of the State. The V-C's move is based on complaints lodged by people illegally nominated by the Chancellor,' Mr. Lal alleged. He pointed out that the reported plan to bypass the powers of the Board of Studies, faculty members, and the academic council in designing the syllabus and curricula of courses in universities by an expert committee constituted by the V-C could lead to serious repercussions. Mr. Lal said that the functioning of these bodies was based on an Act and statutes framed and approved by the State legislature. Disturbing this system would affect the democratic fabric of the academic system, he said. 'We shall not axe the creativity of our society by edging out universally accepted rap music from the aspect of comparative studies. We must try to incorporate musical icons of our land to enrich our higher education,' he said.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sivankutty condemns recommendation to exclude rapper Vedan and Gowry Lekshmi's songs from University syllabus
Condemning an expert committee's recommendation to remove the songs by rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) and independent musician Gowry Lekshmy from the undergraduate curriculum of Calicut University, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that the move is part of the Sangh Parivar's agenda to saffronise the higher education sector. The decision to remove the songs was reportedly made following a complaint filed by members of the university's governing body appointed by the Chancellor. Appointing another illegal committee to solicit opinions on a syllabus already prepared by academic committees will not be beneficial to academic interests. Those who are opposing the inclusion of the songs are unaware of the global significance of rap music, said Mr. Sivankutty. Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna Idam, a Malayalam rap song by rapper Vedan, was included in the syllabus of the fourth-semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends). The song touches upon ongoing global crises including the Palestinian 'genocide' and the war in Syria as well as the rape and murder of 8-year Asifa at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. 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 Gowry Lekshmi, analysing how classical art forms have evolved in the current era. A.K. Anuraj, a Syndicate member aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the University Syndicate, had sought the removal of Vedan's song, arguing that the language he used in his songs and public speeches was often unparliamentary and of poor quality. The Board of Studies (BoS) for undergraduate courses and the academic council of the University are expected to take a final call on the proposed exclusion of the songs.
News18
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kerala minister condemns bid to drop rappers' songs from university syllabus
Last Updated: Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 20 (PTI) The recommendation of an expert panel to 'exclude" songs by well-known Malayalam rapper Vedan and singer-composer Gowry Lekshmy from the degree syllabus of Calicut University has drawn sharp criticism from State General Education Minister V Sivankutty. Terming the recommendation 'condemnable," the minister, in an official statement on Sunday, alleged that the move was part of the Sangh Parivar's agenda to 'saffronise" the higher education sector. He said the decision to remove the songs was reportedly made following a complaint filed by members of the university's governing body, appointed by the chancellor. Those who 'recommended the removal of the songs", he claimed, lacked an 'understanding of the international significance of rap music." In his statement, the minister also emphasised that the vice chancellor should recognise Kerala's 'cultural consciousness and its tradition of embracing diversity." PTI LGK SSK Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Not against Vedan, but discuss academic subjects as required: SUCC
T'puram: Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has denied the allegation that it opposed the inclusion of the work of rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, in the Calicut University Malayalam literature syllabus. Committee chairperson R S Sasikumar said that the lack of academic common sense in asking BA Malayalam students to compare the music of Michael Jackson and Vedan should not be viewed as a plot against the rapper. "Vedan is an emerging artist in Kerala. Let the young man grow. Do not cast a shadow over his future by dragging him into controversies. Discuss academic subjects as academic subjects," the committee said. "Vedan's rap and Michael Jackson's pop are unique musical blends. Music is prioritised over poetry. Those creating the Malayalam BA syllabus should not ignore this. The most important issue is whether the rap song given as a study subject for students is appropriate for Malayalam degree students. The rap 'Bhoomi Njan Vazhunnaidam' cannot be claimed to have literary merit. There is an allegation that party politics is the reason for its inclusion," SUCC said in a statement here. SUCC also said that it is unclear whether literature and rap music should be compared. "Kuchelavritham was written by Muringoor Shankaran Potty. It depicts the devotional singing of the poor Brahmin Kuchelan during his great meeting with his friend Lord Krishna. Many great artists have performed this before, with slight variations, devoutly. Young singer Gauri Lakshmi beautifully sang this Kathakali Padam and released an album. However, its visual presentation has been criticised for not aligning with devotion and not being suitable for Kuchelavritham," the statement said. "But that's not the issue. Comparing these two renditions requires significant musical understanding. How can students who take Malayalam as an optional subject without a music requirement make this comparison? This could definitely be included in the syllabus for music degree students studying classical music," the committee said.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Calicut varsity's Board of Studies, academic council to take final call on exclusion of Vedan's song from syllabus
The Board of Studies (BoS) for undergraduate courses and the academic council of the University of Calicut are expected to take a final call on the proposed exclusion of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) in the syllabus of the four-year BA (Malayalam) course. M.M. Basheer, former head of the Department of Malayalam, University of Calicut, was recently asked by Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to look into the complaints over the inclusion of Mr. Murali's song Bhumi Njan Vazhunna Idam and Michael Jackson's song They don't care about us in the third semester of the course for a comparative study. Mr. Basheer had also suggested that the comparative study of Kathakali music and Carnatic music citing singer Gowri Lakshmi's rendition of Ajitha Hare also be removed from the syllabus. Nothing political Mr. Raveendran told the media on Saturday that there was nothing political about the proposals and it was an academic issue. He pointed out that the core question was whether students learning Malayalam literature should engage in a comparative study of music. 'I have forwarded Mr. Basheer's proposal to the BoS,' he said. The board and later the academic council would take a call on the issue, Mr. Raveendran added. Chaos at Senate meeting Meanwhile, a Senate meeting held on the day ended up in chaos after members affiliated to Left parties, Congress, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) raised slogans highlighting various demands. While the pro-Left members protested against the move to exclude Mr. Murali's song from the syllabus and the 'unauthorised grant of marks' to a students' union leader at 'the behest of the V-C,' pro-Congress members and pro-IUML raised slogans against the alleged assault on staff during a recent protest by the Students Federation of India on the university campus and also sought steps to address the concerns over selection of minor (subsidiary) courses.
