TM krishna, Award, Carnatic singers criticise, Chinmayi supports and more..
In a recent event, Carnatic music veterans Ranjani-Gayatri and Harikatha exponent Dushyanth Sridhar made headlines when they announced their withdrawal from the prestigious Music Academy Conference 2024 in protest of TM Krishna’s Sangita Kalanidhi award. This decision was a serious stand against Krishna’s recognition by the Music Academy. Their withdrawal from the conference, combined with outspoken criticism, exposed a schism in the Carnatic music community over the recognition of Krishna’s contributions.
Award controversy:
Ranjani-Gayatri and Dushyanth Sridhar boycotted the Music Academy Conference due to their opposition to TM Krishna getting the Sangita Kalanidhi award. The prize, regarded as one of the highest distinctions in Carnatic music, aroused outrage due to Krishna’s divisive character and previous activities within the community.
Criticism against TM Krishna:
Protests against TM Krishna’s award stemmed from charges of his negative impact on the Carnatic music scene. Ranjani-Gayatri accused Krishna of denigrating renowned icons such as Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi, as well as promoting problematic people like EVR (Periyar), who is notorious for his divisive views on caste and religion.
Stance of vocalists:
Dushyanth Sridhar, a renowned Vedic speaker, joined the protest by stating his hesitation to perform at the conference after Krishna’s award ceremony. Similarly, Vishakha Hari, a Harikatha exponent, expressed her dissatisfaction, noting concerns about Krishna’s prior actions and its ramifications for Carnatic music.
Chinmayi’s Supportive Comments:
In contrast to the disagreeing views, Chinmayi Sripada, a National Award-winning vocalist, congratulated TM Krishna on receiving the Sangita Kalanidhi Award. Chinmayi’s supportive stance caused more debate in the music world, demonstrating the conflicting views on Krishna’s acknowledgment.
TM Krishna’s response:
TM Krishna reacted with a thank-you note after the prize event, addressing the ongoing dispute. However, neither Krishna nor the Music Academy issued official remarks on the protests and complaints, leaving the issue unsolved and open to further debate.
Future Impacts:
The debate over TM Krishna’s prize may impact future awards and recognition in the Carnatic music community. It has called into question the balance between artistic value and respect to cultural standards, which may influence future choices about field recognition.
Social media and public response:
The dispute over TM Krishna’s award and subsequent protests received widespread attention on social media platforms. The online discussions, debates, and opinions gave a forum for a variety of voices from the Carnatic music community and elsewhere. Social media had an important role in raising the issue and affecting public opinion on cultural recognition and artistic integrity.
Overall, the protests against TM Krishna’s award, as well as the reactions of vocalists and fans, highlighted the complexity and nuances of the Carnatic music heritage. The incident sparked introspection and dialogue among the community, underlining the importance of mutual tolerance and understanding in the face of opposing opinions.
–Nithika