BENGALURU, 27 FEB

As the deadline for implementing 60 per cent Kannada on name boards of commercial establishments and others gets over by Wednesday, signage makers in the City and traditional painting board makers are experiencing a surge in demand. However, some establishments are apprehensive that pro-Kannada activists may still remove signage boards despite compliance after a viral video on social media showed signage boards of a clothing establishment being removed, despite featuring a Kannada name.

As the clock ticks, private establishments are rushing to signage board makers to ensure compliance with the new rules by the government. "I observe a variety of customers coming in for modifications,” a signage board maker in Girinagar, who has been in Bengaluru for over 20 years in the business, told Salar News. He is receiving 10-15 orders per day, but the shortage of skilled workers is making it challenging to keep up with the demand for signage boards.

Kannada should not instill fear in people, but unfortunately, this move seems to have heightened animosity towards Kannadigas. While some genuinely strive to adapt and learn Kannada, others learn the language in fear, he said.

Traditional signage board makers are also pleased with the government's move as it has provided a boost to their business. The art has not died and "many establishments are turning to traditional boards as they are cost-effective", said Mallikarjun, a traditional board maker with over three decades of experience in RT Street of Chickpete.

Mallikarjun was surprised at the resurgence of demand for traditional boards (using paint and brush). "I thought this form of board making was dying out with the rise of digital and other signage makers. However, since the imposition of the 60 per cent Kannada requirement on signage boards, I have received around 200-300 orders across Chickpete. Before, I used to receive one order once in two to three months."

The price of making signboards is Rs 600-700 per square metre for digital signboards and Rs 400-500 sq m for traditional ones. Some signage makers have reduced the prices while others are cashing in on the increased demand.    

According to the BBMP, 46,600 shops have erected Kannada signboards till 24 February. Earlier, BBMP had issued 50,216 notices to shop owners to those who did not follow the rules.

A few of the hotel establishments in Basavanagudi, Vasanth Nagar and Cunningham Road are yet to change the nameboards. They said though they had placed orders for the new boards, there was a delay in fulfilling the orders due to high demand from across the City.

Speaking to Salar News, Kannada Culture and Backward Class Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said, “The action will be initiated shortly for establishments who don’t change the name boards, and after discussing with the Chief Minister, licences of the violators will be cancelled.”

Meanwhile, Vatal Nagaraj, President of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha, said the failure to comply will undoubtedly lead to intensified protests across the State and call for a bandh.