Expert suggests removal of Vedan’s song from Calicut varsity syllabus

M.M. Basheer, former head of the Department of Malayalam, University of Calicut, who was recently asked by Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to look into the complaints around the inclusion of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali (Vedan) in the syllabus of the third semester BA (Malayalam) course, has suggested that the song be removed.

A.K. Anuraj, a Syndicate member affiliated to the BJP, had earlier complained to the V-C and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also the Chancellor of the university, saying that the inclusion of the song in the syllabus was inappropriate. Mr. Basheer pointed out in his report to the V-C that the syllabus did not warrant a comparison of Mr. Murali’s song Bhumi Njan Vazhunna Idam and Michael Jackson’s song They don’t care about us. So, an analysis and evaluation of the literary peculiarities of these songs were irrelevant.

He also suggested that a comparative study of Kathakali music and Carnatic music citing singer Gowri Lakshmi’s rendition of Ajitha Hare Madhava...could also be removed from the syllabus as it would be tough to ask BA (Malayalam) students not trained in these musical streams to compare them.