Don’t stop the music, yell Bangalore's DJs

Ban-galore. No matter how many times we use that clichéd wordplay, it never appears redundant. After all, which global destination would find itself at such a situation where DJs aren’t allowed to play in lounges and people aren’t allowed to shake a leg or two if they want to? The DJs are certainly not amused.

“This is against the fundamental freedom of expression that our country gives its citizens. The capital is open till 6am. Mumbai is open till 3am. Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad are now rocking. Goa, as always, is a 24/7 party city. But Bangalore seems to be regressing,” rues Rohit Barker, who feels disheartened playing at clubs at times.

Anoop Absolute is vocal about his feelings too. “They’re treating us like children in pre-school. What they don’t realise  is most of the people who are being restricted are some of the Who’s Who of the city. It looks as though the cops are fighting a personal battle against the people for living the life many aspire for. In my 20 years of playing music, I have seen cops taking heavy bribes, but somehow, nothing seems to suffice and this issue is always resurfacing every few months in the city,” points out Anoop.

Jasmeet, another DJ who has been in the circuit for a long time, explains, “Firstly, we’re following an excise law that tracks back to 1965. There’s nothing about a DJ mentioned there. Secondly, we need to move ahead, not take a step back. Entertainment is a right you cannot deny people. You cannot tell people that they cannot listen to music. If they want to have a rule, why do they wake up every few months, impose such restrictions and then suddenly seem to forget all about it and become relaxed about them? They themselves aren’t quite sure on the stand. There isn’t a system and that is the fault.”

The lawmakers state that one needs to have 47 clearances to get a discotheque license. “Some of the newer lounges have kept all the requisites in mind before considering putting the place together. After all, no one would kid around when such large sums of money are invested into a lounge. Yet, these people are still waiting to get their licenses. How would the authorities justify that?” questions Anoop.