Meet Ullal’s own Beary Rapper who takes on communal politics

Sharwan Naveed
March 11, 2019

With sarcastic overtones on communalism, divisive politics and fake news, this Mangaluru-based Beary rapper’s potshots on issues and concerns is a force to be reckoned with. Mustafa Ullal, a 33-year-old rapper and a father of two has garnered 12,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.

While the rap scene is yet to pick up in coastal Karnataka, Mustafa believes ‘Apna time Aayega’. Known by his Rap name ‘YemZii’, he raps in Beary language (spoken in coastal Karnataka and neighbouring areas) and also in Kannada and Tulu

A hip-hop freak, as he calls himself, YemZii discovered his talent for rapping ‘by accident’. Back in 2015, he had recorded ‘Idadee Zohra’ a Beary language song he had written to the beats of rap legend Eminem’s ‘Cleanin Out my Closet’. The humorous song received wide appreciation from his friends and relatives, making him consider recording a music video and starting his own YouTube channel. He chose ‘YemZii’ as his Rap name, which does not have any accurate meaning but at the same time cannot be associated with any religion.

In his early years, YemZii developed a craze for hip-hop but did not have the means to pursue his dream. “I am an introvert, and used to be shy. About four years ago, when was diagnosed with a chronic health issue, I thought my end was near. Although I was cured of it, during the time I was undergoing treatment, my perspective towards life changed. I let go of my materialistic endeavours and started to pursue my creative interests,” YemZii recalls.

Taking his creativity to the next level, YemZii began writing poems on social realities with a hint of humour. His sarcastic take on issues has gained him popularity among locals.

“When I sit down to write, I think of issues around me such as politics, fake news and communal hatred and I write the lyrics based on my experiences. I was apprehensive initially, as I thought that talking on social issues could be a turn-off but then I realised that if I bring in an element of humour, people can connect with it,” he said.

YemZii says that during the course of his life, he has been at the receiving end of communal hatred, which led him to change his various perspectives. YemZii recalls the time his family lived in a Hindu dominated area in Udupi all their life but had to move to Ullal when communal tensions escalated in the coastal districts.

However, in 2006, he was apprehended by the police during a riot. “I had never stepped into a police station when I lived in Udupi. Life was peaceful. When we moved, I thought I can live in peace without all the hatred but I was arrested for no fault of mine,” he says. “Instances such as these make me question, ponder and these perspectives reflect in my songs” YemZii adds.

Having written over 40 songs, the rapper says he has to be careful with each word in a place like Mangaluru, where tensions run high. To his fortune, he had only received appreciation so far and nothing untoward had happened.

YemZii’s Kannada rap songs ‘Saavide’ which reminds people that death awaits everyone and ‘Vote Kode’ are sarcastic takes on politicians who have various agendas to come to power. The track ‘Gulf Poi Bara’ - a Beary song speaks of the struggles of people who migrate to the gulf.

YemZii’s recent hit, ‘Khalli Walli’ where he collaborated with local rapper ‘Rapzin’, who writes in Urdu, has garnered lakhs of views. The song speaks of communal harmony and is a touching take on what would matter most to people if they had only four days to live.

“Rap can explore many topics and it is not about alcohol and girls as many people think. Many rappers start with sarcastic takes on social realities but ultimately end up singing about bling lifestyles when big labels sign them and demand them to do the same,” YemZii says.

Dreaming of making it big, YemZii says he wants to stick to his style of rapping. “I have a sustainable lifestyle, where I earn money by designing websites. My wife is supportive and we make sure that our children are not deprived of anything. But rapping is something I do for myself,” he says.

At the onset of general elections, YemZii that he has about 25 more songs in the pipeline, awaiting release.

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News Network
March 1,2025

In a move to strengthen the presence of Kannada in industrial and consumer markets, the Karnataka government has made it mandatory for all products manufactured within the state to display their names and usage instructions in Kannada, alongside any other languages.

The directive was formalized through a government circular issued on February 15, extending the requirement to both public and private sector manufacturers, the report added.

Enforcement officers designated under the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, have been tasked with monitoring compliance.

The government emphasized that language is a reflection of a region’s cultural identity and that Kannada must be actively integrated into production, marketing, and business activities for it to thrive. The circular reiterated that the Act, implemented from March 12, 2024, aims to enhance employment and business opportunities for Kannadigas while ensuring the widespread use of Kannada in daily life.

As per Section 17(7) of the Act, manufacturers selling products within Karnataka must, wherever possible, ensure that product names and instructions are printed in Kannada along with any other language if needed.

This directive comes at a time when debates over language policies are intensifying in Karnataka. Recent discussions around local job quotas and the prominence of Kannada in government and corporate sectors have added to the ongoing discourse on linguistic identity in the state.

On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava Day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that the state government would take steps to ensure Kannada language labels on products manufactured in Karnataka.

Speaking at an event honoring the 69 recipients of this year’s Rajyotsava awards, Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of creating an environment that encourages the daily use and learning of Kannada.

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Agencies
March 10,2025

ranya.jpg

Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya – also known as Ranya Rao, arrested for smuggling gold from Dubai – was allotted land to set up a steel plant by the previous Karnataka government in February 2023, said the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) said on Sunday.

Ranya Rao was found to be in possession of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Searches were also conducted at her residence, and gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore were seized, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had said on Wednesday.

Ranya is the stepdaughter of DGP-rank senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao.

The KIADB's statement comes after reports claimed that a company linked to Ranya Rao was allotted 12 acres of industrial land by the board in 2023.

The office of the minister for medium and large industries MB Patil shared the government's final notification issued on February 22, 2023, regarding the allocation of land to Ranya Rao's firm Ksiroda India at the Sira Industrial Area in the Tumakuru district, news agency PTI reported.

The Congress came to power after defeating the Basavaraj Bommai-led Bharatiya Janata Party in the Karnataka assembly election in May 2023.

The proceedings of the Karnataka government, shared by the minister's office, said, "Approval to the proposal of M/s Ksiroda India Private Limited to establish a unit for manufacture of 'steel products - TMT bars, rods and allied products' at Sira Industrial Area, Tumakuru district.

"The government is pleased to accord in-principle approval to the investment proposal of ₹138 crore, generating employment to about 160 persons with the following infrastructure assistances, incentives and concessions," it said.

In a press release issued by MB Patil's office, the KIADB said the allotment to the company linked to Ranjya Rao was done in January 2023.

KIADB CEO Mahesh said on Sunday Ksiroda India was allotted 12 acres of land on January 2, 2023, by the previous government, referring to the BJP, the PTI report added.

"The land, located in Sira Industrial Area, Tumakuru district, was approved for allotment during the 137th State Level Single Window Clearance Committee (SLSWCC) meeting held on the same day, when the last govt was in power," PTI quoted Mahesh as saying.

According to the KIADB press release, the company had submitted a proposal to set up a manufacturing unit for steel TMT bars, rods, and allied products, with an investment of ₹138 crore. The project was expected to generate approximately 160 jobs.

Ramachandra Rao is currently serving as the chairman and managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

The total seizure in the case stood at ₹17.29 crore, including assets worth ₹4.73 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks.

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News Network
March 10,2025

Many parts of Karnataka, which have been experiencing hot and humid conditions over the past few days, are expected to receive pre-monsoon showers this week.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall over south-interior and coastal Karnataka on March 11 and 12.

According to synoptic observations, an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over the northeast equatorial Indian Ocean and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. Additionally, light to moderate southeasterly winds are prevailing over the State at lower tropospheric levels.

As per the forecast, isolated light rain and thundershowers are likely in Kolar, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chickballapur, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, and Hassan districts in south-interior Karnataka, along with Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in coastal Karnataka on March 11.

On March 12, rainfall activity may extend to Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru as well. However, dry weather is expected to prevail over the rest of the State.

In Bengaluru, temperatures remained high on Sunday, with the city and Kempegowda International Airport recording a maximum of 34.5°C, while the HAL Airport station reported 34.1°C. The minimum temperatures were recorded at 19.7°C, 18.5°C, and 18°C at these respective stations.

Over the next few days, Bengaluru’s maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 34°C and 20°C. The highest-ever temperature recorded in March was 37.3°C in 1996.

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