TN: CM Stalin Backs TM Krishna Amidst Award Controversy

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed support for Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna amidst protests from various artists opposing his Sangitha Kalanidhi award.

“My warmest congratulations and appreciation to the great singer T M Krishna for being selected for the ‘Sangeetha Kalanidhi’ award of The Music Academy,” Stalin wrote on X.

Addressing the criticism directed at Krishna for his political views and advocacy, Stalin commented, “It is regrettable to criticize TM Krishna for his progressive political stances and his constant talking about the common man. It is not fair to unnecessarily lash out at Periyar, who fought for human equality based on humanity and for women to live as equals for three-quarters of a century in a charitable and peaceful way. Anyone who reads Periyar’s selfless biography and his thoughts will not attempt to cast such slanderous mud.”

“The management of the Music Academy deserves our appreciation for choosing T M Krishna as a worthy candidate to give him due respect and recognition for his contributions to the music industry. T M Krishna’s talent is undeniable. Don’t mix narrow politics in music as you mix religious beliefs with politics! Today’s need is to have a broad human vision and the ability to avoid hatred and embrace fellow human beings,” he added.

Earlier on Friday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi also voiced her support for the Carnatic vocalist.

“@tmkrishna being recognised as Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy has ruffled the feathers of parts of the music fraternity. The hate he is receiving for his social beliefs or his engagement with Periyar is uncalled for,” Kanimozhi posted on X.

Meanwhile, numerous musicians have withdrawn from the Madras Music Academy’s annual December conference in protest against the Sangita Kalanidhi award conferred upon Krishna who they claim has “glorified Periyar” and tarnishing the Carnatic music community.

The artists are discontented with the Chennai-based academy’s choice to grant the prestigious honor, akin to the Oscar in Carnatic music, to the 48-year-old vocalist. Krishna is set to preside over the 98th annual conference and concerts of the Madras Music Academy later this year in December.

Renowned Indian classical duo Ranjani and Gayatri stated that their involvement in this year’s conference under TM Krishna’s presidency would amount to a “moral violation.”

The sibling duo Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan, known as the Trichur Brothers, expressed that taking part in the year-end festival conference hosted by the Academy would render them “outright hypocrites in our own eyes.”

TM Krishna has frequently criticized traditional notions of caste and gender politics within the established Carnatic music framework. He has also been outspoken about the lack of inclusivity in the renowned December music season in Chennai, also known as the Marghazi season. Additionally, he initiated a music festival in the fishing village of Uroor-Olcott Kupppam.

An economics graduate, Krishna displayed prodigious musical talent and commenced his musical education under Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma. He further honed his skills under the tutelage of Carnatic vocalists Chingleput Ranganathan and Semmangudi Srinivas.

Krishna, the grandnephew of former Indian finance minister TT Krishnamachari, who is among the founders of the Madras Music Academy.

As per a press release from the Music Academy, the recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi award will chair the academic sessions of the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy scheduled to take place from December 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025.