From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 13: If the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s decision to have a separate Kannada flag and a State Anthem was red-rag to many, especially the opposition parties, Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has established a new record by becoming the first to State to have its own Karnataka Election Anthem.

The Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar released the Karnataka Election Anthem in Bengaluru on Friday.
This is the first time that an anthem has been introduced in the State.

The anthem is aimed at reaching out to masses on the need to vote.

Yogaraj Bhat

Unveiling the anthem, Sanjiv Kumar said the election anthem will play an important role in promoting the ethical voting and also boost the voter turnout.

The anthem has been directed by ace film director Yogaraj Bhat.

For the purpose of the election anthem, the Karnataka State Election Commission has got a dream team in place.

With Bhat writing the lyrics and directing the anthem, the song will be composed by numero uno music director Harikrishna and sung by top singer Vijay Prakash and his team.

The songs have been choreographed by well-known dance director Imran Sadiya.

The election anthem team has visited across the State and has tried to capture the true essence of Karnataka.

The anthem was also shot in Vidhana Soudha recently.

More than 150 artistes have participated in the anthem and the anthem has messages from members of various communities.

Speaking at the press conference, Yogaraj Bhat said: "My team in association with Media Connect has brought the true spirit of Karnataka in our anthem and the message is loud and clear as to why everyone needs to come out and vote. We hope that the anthem will play its part in increasing the voter turnout this time. On the occasion, I need to thank the Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar for being a pillar of support and instrumental in getting an anthem for the elections. We have also used the disabled, Adivasi, transgender and young voters for the election song shoot."

The election anthem is in tune with the commission's theme - Inclusive, Accessible and Ethical elections.

The anthem will play a major role in promoting enlightened and ethical voting and this will also help in encouraging voters to come out in large numbers and boost the voter turnout.

The anthem will be played on radio, TV, cinemas and other media.