‘I Sing with Love’: Sonu Nigam Responds Calmly to Kannada Song Demand
‘I Sing with Love’: Sonu Nigam Responds Calmly to Kannada Song Demand
BENGALURU: A tense moment unfolded during playback singer Sonu Nigam’s live performance at East Point College when a student in the audience abruptly demanded that he sing in Kannada. Nigam, who has recorded over 900 songs in Kannada, paused the show to deliver a measured response on respect, linguistic diversity, and the need for tolerance.
The incident occurred mid-concert when an audience member shouted insistently for a Kannada song. Nigam, visibly taken aback, addressed the crowd, reaffirming his deep affection for the Kannada language and people.
“In my career, I have sung in many languages, but some of my finest songs are in Kannada,” Nigam said. “Every time I visit Karnataka, I do so with immense love and respect. You have always welcomed me like family. But I was hurt when that young boy—who hasn’t even lived as long as my career—spoke rudely and demanded a Kannada song.”
He went on to draw a parallel to the Pahalgam incident, suggesting that such aggressive behavior reflects a broader issue of growing intolerance. Without going into specifics, Nigam’s message underscored the importance of mutual respect across cultures.
Nigam also stressed his commitment to linguistic inclusivity: “Wherever I perform around the world, if even one person calls out for Kannada, I make it a point to sing at least one line. That’s how much I respect and cherish you all. Let’s show kindness.”
With a career spanning 32 languages—including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Assamese—Nigam is widely celebrated as a champion of India’s linguistic diversity. His recent Kannada release, Mayavi, in collaboration with singer Sanjith Hegde, is further testament to his ongoing connection with Karnataka’s music scene.
The incident comes amid ongoing language debates in Karnataka, where issues such as Kannada signage mandates and disputes involving non-Kannada-speaking residents have kept linguistic identity at the forefront.
Nigam’s calm and thoughtful response has since gone viral, earning widespread praise for his balanced approach to cultural respect and national unity.
