Why is Kannada music so dependent on outsiders?

There have been some top composers from other South Indian industries and Bollywood who have given Kannada music fans timeless soundtracks.

A few of them are maestro Ilaiyaraaja, Sankar Ganesh, GK Venkatesh, MM Keeravani, SS Thaman and Deva. Bollywood composer Ismail Darbar is the latest entrant in Sandalwood who debuted as a composer in Santheyalli Ninta Kabeera. 

Here are some of the popular musicians from other film industries who are making a mark in Kannada.

 

Vijay Antony:

The Tamil musician-turned-actor rose to fame for his music in Vettaikaaran.  In Sandalwood, he first composed music for Buddhivanta which was a remake of Naan Avanillai. 

 

 

D Imman:

A known name in Tamil film industry, D Imman, has given tunes for Rudratandava, the remake of Pandiya Naadu, and Anjada Gandu, the remake of Manam Kothi Paravai. He has also composed the soundtrack for Kannada films like Mudinja Ivana Pudi.

SS Thaman

He mainly composes music in Telugu and Tamil films. He composed music for Power, which was the remake of Dookudu. Last year, he was part of movies like Zoom and Chakravyuha. 

Anup Rubens:

 

The talented music director is known for his work in Telugu cinema and has also lend his music to Khushi Khushiyagi, the remake of Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde, and Ram-Leela, the remake of Loukyam, both of which he had given the original scores.

Yuvan Shankar Raja: 

He has predominantly scored music for Kollywood films. Yuvan is the son of noted film composer Ilaiyaraaja. He began his musical career at the age of 16. He has given been credited as the composer for five Kannada films — Jolly Boy, Ajith, Anthu Inthu Preethi Banthu, Madana and Gilli — all of which feature songs that he had scored for the Tamil originals.

 

Ismail Darbar:

Bollywood composer of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas fame, he has composed the music for Kannada film Santheyalli Nintha Kabira. Given that this movie is about the mystic saint Kabir, Ismail's Sufi influence has helped the soundtrack.

 

The pertinent question here is, why Kannada films don't give a chance to Kannada music composers?

It is certainly not the lack of talent. In the last one year, the Kannada film industry has churned out quite memorable tunes. New age music composers such as Bharath BJ, B Ajaneesh Loknath, Dheerendra Doss and Anoop Seelin are names that are behind this change in the music scene.
 

These Karnataka-based composers have brought in a freshness that has been lacking in the industry. Their fusion of electronica, trance, jazz and blues have brought in a new life to films themselves.