The Day the Music Died in Bangalore, India

Lindsay Live | Feb 18, 2008 | 0

Downtown Bangalore, where music and dance once thrived

Once booming with music, dance, and nightlife, Bangalore, the trendy capital city of the Indian state Karnataka, was dubbed the "Rock City of India." For years, live bands from all over the world performed in Bangalore, making the city's nightlife some of the best around. But in 2005, everything began to change...

In an attempt to shut down illegal go-go bars, the Bangalore government passed the Licensing and Controlling of Public Entertainment Order. But what the law actually did was prohibit live bands from performing in establishments where alcohol was served without first obtaining a new license. According to Bangalore entertainers, these licenses are difficult to apply for and have tough regulations that are nearly impossible to comply with (i.e. closing down at 11:30pm), causing the live music industry to almost collapse.

Meanwhile, many nightclubs managed to thrive because police officials overlooked them to focus on less-upscale establishments they deemed more likely to engage in illegal activities.

The Live Band Association, angered by the unfair crack-down on their establishments, petitioned the government to hold nightclubs accountable as well. The government responded by invoking an old 1967 law that prohibits dancing where alcohol is served and began shutting down nightclub after nightclub, transforming the forward-thinking city of Bangalore into the real life version of the movie Footloose.  

Conservative government officials argue that dancing is not illegal in Bangalore, but rather prohibited in places where alcohol is served. But the progressive nightlife crowd sure doesn't see it that way. A large number of the city's most popular entertainers have moved due to lack of business and artistic freedom. Some clubgoers, fearful of punishment or arrest, now resort to holding private parties and gatherings where they have more freedom to enjoy themselves. Yet, many have found ways to protest the ban and others have continued to dance in spite of it, attending clubs where DJs and bartenders serve as police look-outs. The people of Bangalore have shown that despite the new laws, they will not allow the city's special spark to die out.

Surprisingly, many places around the world still have ancient anti-dancing laws, though rarely are they enforced. Even some conservative and religious universities in the United States ban dancing on campus unless part of a choreographed theater production. Bans on public social dancing are nothing new, but the people of Bangalore never thought it would happen to them and their once booming and joyous city.

As an American who deeply values free expression, I am shocked to learn that anti-dancing laws are still being passed and enforced in the 21st century. Although I have lamented the loss of some of our personal liberties in the wake of 9/11, I am so grateful to live in a place where free expression is valued and encouraged. So, the next time you go out dancing with your friends on a Friday night, take a moment to remember how lucky you are. With a heightened appreciation for the freedom of movement, you'll realize that dance has never felt so good.

And in the meantime, we'll keep rooting for the people of Bangalore, India as they fight for their right to dance.

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Enthusiast, India, Law, Politics (all tags)