‘Music has encompassing power’: HR Ranganath at Public Music’s 11th anniversary celebration

BENGALURU: HR Ranganath, chairman of Writemen Media Pvt Ltd, speaking at the 11th anniversary celebration of Public Music at the Public TV office, said that starting a channel is easy, but survival is very challenging. “Public Music is completing 11 years with the support of people”, he noted and thanked the people who have supported the channel for the past 11 years.

Ranganath expressed his disappointment with the current state of affairs in the media industry, particularly news channels, but noted that music channels like Public Music offer respite. “So it is special to see Public Music complete 11 years”, he said.

“Today, when I see the kind of politics and other events on Public TV, I feel bad. But there is no such problem in music. Here, I have the opportunity to choose songs. Music has an encompassing power”, he said.

He shared his personal journey, saying that he never expected to become a journalist or start a TV channel, but instead wanted to be a musician.

“Although that didn’t happen, I have become something else. Now, it has been almost 40 years since I came to the field of journalism. But now, whatever I thought I should become, music is helping me. Music has now become a source of solace and comfort for me”, he said.

“The era of stars like Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, B Sarojadevi, Bharathi, Amitabh Bachchan has gone. Now, by the time three or four films are made, new people will come to the industry. Similarly, new singers and musicians are getting opportunities”, Ranganath noted. He highlighted the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, noting that new talent is emerging and technology is providing opportunities for artists to showcase their work.

Recalling the 11-year journey, Ranganath said, “We may have stumbled here and there, but we have always bounced back. We have been working with the cooperation of audio companies, the people of Karnataka, cable companies, and advertisers, who have made it through it us on the long journey of 11 years”.

The event was attended by chief guests music director Arjun Janya, Jhankar Music’s Bharat Jain and Ashwini Audio’s Ashwini Ramprasad, who wished Public Music all the best for its future endeavors.