In the course of a day, two Bangalore venues, bFlat and Humming Tree, announced their decision to shut down in a few weeks’ time. Industry folks speak in despairing voices and say more are bound to follow. The reason? The licensing laws governing live music in nightlife places have been made tighter over a period of time and it has become increasingly difficult for these places to stage performances, which are their USP. The latest crackdown, insisting that the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment (Bengaluru City) Order, be adhered to has broken the backs of nightclubs. In an environment where it is impossible to survive and do business, some have decided to pull the plug.
This isn’t about the closing down of a few businesses. It’s a blow to the spirit of a city. Bangalore has always been a music-loving city, with a huge number of true connoisseurs. For ten years, bFlat has been a platform for excellently curated gigs, spanning the gamut from blues and jazz to rock and electronic. More recently, Humming Tree became a showcase for indie bands and young musicians. They have found support and encouragement at these venues. Live music performances have been part of the city’s cultural fabric for decades and now it lies in tatters.
All this has come about because the civic authorities have decided to pull out from under the heap an archaic regulation that says nightspots need a licence to host live shows. Given the tangle of red tape that is common in situations like these, nightclub owners need an occupancy certificate to acquire this licence. Again, given the ways of bureaucracy it’s near impossible to get an OC for reasons that are too complicated to get into here.
Bar owners point out that the licence was introduced in the first place to curb activities in dance bars. Now, venues that host perfectly legitimate music performances have been brought within its purview and thus the crackdown. The activism by Resident Welfare Groups, particularly in Indiranagar, against loud music from bars and restaurants has also propelled action against nightspots. Of course, the concerns of residents need to be addressed, but shutting down businesses is hardly the option.
Bar and restaurant owners have not been inactive. They’ve attended over a dozen meetings with the authorities, including the deputy chief minister. Byg Brewsky owner Ajay Gowda says the deputy CM has now written to the police commissioner asking for the issue to be resolved so that the city’s nightlife can resume and thrive. ‘Eventually, the decision rests with the home minister. If he has the will, it can be done and we can go back to doing business,’ Ajay Gowda says.
Is he hopeful of a resolution? ‘Hope is the one thing we entrepreneurs have,’ he says. We hope his faith is justified and the authorities are listening.
