Renowned Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna has found himself at the centre of a heated debate following the announcement that he would be conferred with the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award by the Madras Music Academy. The decision has sparked outrage among top-ranking Carnatic musicians, who have vehemently opposed the accolade being bestowed upon Krishna.
Krishna’s vocal opposition to traditional Hindu practices and his alleged propagation of Christian hymns in Carnatic music have drawn sharp criticism from his peers. Accusations of making anti-Hindu remarks and fostering an agenda against Brahmins, who are prominent in the field of Carnatic music, have further fueled the controversy surrounding his recognition.
The Madras Music Academy, a revered institution in the world of Indian classical music, has traditionally upheld the principles of bhakti and devotion to Sanatan Dharma since its establishment in 1928. The Sangita Kalanidhi award, instituted in 1942, has been bestowed upon illustrious figures in Carnatic music, including luminaries such as MS Subbulakshmi and D.K. Pattammal. However, the academy’s choice to honour TM Krishna, described by critics as an “anti-Hindu apologist” and “Urban Naxal element,” has raised eyebrows and drawn sharp criticism.
The Sangita Kalanidhi award, a symbol of excellence in the Carnatic music world, has historically been bestowed upon artists who epitomise the spirit of devotion to Sanatan Dharma and contribute significantly to the classical music landscape. However, the decision to honour Krishna, described by some as an “urban Naxal element,” has raised eyebrows and sparked backlash within the Carnatic music community.
Honouring Periyar with this special song along with Perumal Murugan and Pazha. Athiyaman – Commemorating the Centenary of the Vaikom Satyagraha. @perumal_murugan
Watch the full video here: https://t.co/tL7aLUFTbt#tmkrishna #musician #perumalmurugan #periyar #vaikomsatyagraha
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) March 30, 2023
I do not know the context of @meenakandasamy 's
tweet but stand in solidarity and agree with all that she has expressed in this thread https://t.co/R9TY8eDkUv— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) December 29, 2020
Soon after the announcement to confer him the award, the music world raised objections in one voice. Furious Hindus took to social media to express enragement against Madras Music Academy for conferring the Sangita Kalanidhi award to TM Krishna who never misses an opportunity to spew venom against Sanatan Dharma in the name of voicing for social reform and social justice. Hindu activist Krithika Sivaswamy wrote saying “Music Academy finally destroyed by the left”.
The decision of the Madras Music Academy to confer the Sangita Kalanidhi award upon Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna has sparked intense reactions within the Carnatic music community, with prominent figures expressing their dismay and even returning their own awards in protest.
Renowned Hindu activist Kritika Sivaswamy voiced her disappointment, stating, “One more institution gone. Insult to all the greats from Muthaiah Bagavatar, Ponnaiya Pillai, GNB, Ariyakudi to T Brinda, Mysore Vasudavacharya & so many others who got Sangita Kalanidhis over the last 7 decades.”
Similarly, Shree Vaishnavism scholar and Hindu activist Dushyant Sridhar expressed his sentiments, emphasising his dedication to viewing Lord Rama and Sita Devi through the eyes of revered scholars and poets. He stated, “I don’t have the talent to venerate Sri Rama from the eyes of EVR who broke his murti. Even if it means that I will get an award for doing the latter, I will die awardless instead of being a part of an elite group that can’t be sensitive to the emotions of astikas. Maybe I am (as always) in the minority!”
#Astikas – I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the 1st January 2025 (after the sadas). Below is a copy of the letter drafted to them. pic.twitter.com/MRx9b8Z6qR
— Dushyanth Sridhar (@dushyanthsridar) March 20, 2024
Hari Katha exponent Smt. Vishakha Hari broke her usual stance of minding her own business to address the issue, expressing concern over TM Krishna’s past actions, which she believes have caused harm and hurt to many. She emphasized the importance of upholding values and virtues in addition to musical talent, echoing the beliefs of revered figures like Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar. Hari questioned whether past Sangita Kalanidhi awardees, such as Ariyakkudi or Semmangudi, would have accepted the decision to honour TM Krishna.
Chitravina Ravikiran took a bold step by announcing his decision to return the Sangita Kalanidhi award bestowed upon him in 2017. In a statement on his official social media handle, he cited the importance of upholding principles larger than individual recognition, expressing gratitude to the academy while underscoring his commitment to maintaining integrity and values.
RETURNING SANGITA KALANIDHI AWARD from ACADEMY: I’ve taken this step after careful consideration as principles much larger than all of us are at stake. However I’ll always remain deeply grateful to the org for its role in my career from childhood 🙏#musicacademy #award #Music pic.twitter.com/EfXVtkUTns
— Chitravina Ravikiran (@ravikiranmusic) March 21, 2024
Reaction from Carnatic Music Fraternity
Prominent figures within the Carnatic music fraternity have joined Hindu activists in expressing their discontent over the decision to confer the Sangita Kalanidhi award upon TM Krishna. Carnatic vocalist duo Ranjani and Gayathri took to social media to express their outrage and announced their withdrawal from participating in the upcoming Music Academy conference and concert during the December music season.
Formal announcement that we are pulling out of the Annual Conference 2024 of The Music Academy , Madras, for obvious reasons.
To participate in a conference presided by Mr TM Krishna would make us outright hypocrites in our own eyes.
Sincerely,
Trichur Brothers— Trichur Brothers (@TrichurBrothers) March 20, 2024
Ranjani Gayatri duo withdraw from participating in the Music Academy’s conference 2024 as it is presided over by "Sangeetha Kalanidhi" TM Krishna – who wanted Sri "Rama to be equalised with a palm tree or a dog"
Kudos to your courage of conviction ma'am! https://t.co/MIWNAmbKC3 pic.twitter.com/eOy6OhPTFz
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) March 20, 2024
Chitra Veena Ravikiran also announced his decision to return the Sangita Kalanidhi award conferred upon him in 2017. Additionally, the Trichur Brothers formally declared their withdrawal from attending the Carnatic music conference this year. These musicians cited concerns over TM Krishna’s actions, which they believe have caused immense damage to the Carnatic music world and insulted revered icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi.
Dushyanth Sridhar, prominent vedic speaker and writer took to X wherein he stated, I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the January 1,2025 (after the sadas). Below is a copy of the letter drafted to them.
#Astikas – I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the 1st January 2025 (after the sadas). Below is a copy of the letter drafted to them. pic.twitter.com/MRx9b8Z6qR
— Dushyanth Sridhar (@dushyanthsridar) March 20, 2024
In a recent development, Krishna announced his decision to return the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award conferred upon him by the Madras Music Academy, citing larger principles at stake.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=961930858636979&set=a.277203577109714&type=3&ref=embed_post
Krishna’s association with individuals and organizations known for their anti-national stance has come under scrutiny. He has been linked to Nityanand Jayaraman, an environmental activist involved in protests against development projects in Tamil Nadu. Krishna’s involvement in Jayaraman’s environmental initiatives has raised eyebrows.
