CHENNAI: The Music Academy is in the news all over again for all the wrong reasons. Not because the December 2024 Margazhi music season is round the corner. But for the reason that no less than the grandson of the legendary Carnatic musician Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmii, V Shrinivasan, has filed a civil suit before the Madras High Court to prohibit the recognition of MS Subbulakshmi award alongside the Sangita Kalanidhi award to T M Krishna.
The controversy broke out when in March 2024, (an unusually early announcement, curiously timed with anticipated general elections to Lok Sabha), when TMA chose TMK for the Sangita Kalanidhi award in 2024 annual conference No one questioned TMK’s view. However, there was outrage at his disclosed and recorded pronouncements and conduct about his ‘respect’ for MS Amma and his accusations on the ‘communal’ front against Carnatic music administrators/ followers. And one who boycotted this very season for over a decade founded on his beliefs.
Top and leading musicians as Ranjai-Gayathri duo, Trichur Brothers chose to ‘boycott’ this Academy season. But the issue appeared to have dissipated and died down, as most such issues. Until V Shrinivasan appears to have issued an advocate notice in April 2024, to TMA, The Hindu Publishing Group and TMK, and now followed it up with a civil suit seeking legal remedy.
It may be the prerogative of the Music Academy to choose TMK for Sangita Kalanidhi. However, on the opening day of the Music Academy conference, there is an award tagged with the name of MS Amma “Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award” which is given to the Sangita Kalanidhi Designate
This award which is distinct and different from the Sangita Kalanidhi Award was instituted in 2005 by ‘The Hindu’ to perpetuate the memory of the Bharat Ratna MS Amma and it carries a citation and substantial prize money.
It is now in public domain, with a series of news reports that MS Subbulakshmi Amma had left a last Will-testament (Oct 1997) with a clear covenant that no ‘memorial of any kind’ must be instituted and given to anyone after her demise. The Will was probated by orders of the Madras High Court in Jan 2006.
The covenant is clear, specific and pointed. One wonders why it was not picked up all these years by the executor or a legatee or even a simple rasika . How could awards be given in MS’ name when she barred them. A simple search suggests that the Kotturpuram area was proposed to be named as MS Subbulakshmi Nagar during Madam Jayalalitha’s regime.
It was not liked or accepted by MS Amma during her life time. She requested that the proposal was dropped and it was. Ironically, this is reported in a Blogpost by V Sriram, who incidentally, is one of the Secretaries of Music Academy and party to designating the MS Subbulakshmi award to TMK. How times and values change!
Either the Executor or any of the beneficiaries or even any worthy and willing admirer of M S Amma could legally raise this issue. And the disparaging words used by TMK on MS Amma in his public pronouncements (one is appalled at the choice of language from TMK, who miraculously felt ‘proud’ to be accorded the MS award when it was announced to him) can be the base for such an opposition. That is factual.
Legally, the The Hindu Publishing group award instituted at Music Academy may run foul of M S Subbulakshmi’s final wish and desire.It is paramount as her last Will and testament. And upon being Probated, it may have binding force on the universe.
It was her last wish and desire that the Carnatic music world must respect and comply. It is bewildering why this aspect has not picked up by anyone to date but now that we know about the Will left behind by MS Amma should we not respect her mandate? If MS Amma desired no memorial of any kind must be instituted in her name or memory it may need serious consideration. The matter is subjudice and respect to law and judicial integrity restrain us from saying any more.
Incidentally, it may be fit and proper to allude to a legal precedent. It is well known that the legendary Senior Advocate H M Seervai, author of the iconic Constitutional Law of India, wrote in his Will, that his work shall not be revised after his demise. Despite requests by even Chief Justice of the Australian High Court ( their Supreme Court) Justice Michael Kirby, Seervai’s family has steadfastly not yielded, to respect Seervai’s last wish and desire. And that has never been contested.
The Music Academy and The Hindu Publishing may still stand persuaded. Who knows? They may yet give the Sangita Kalanidhi award to their chosen candidate. But recognising TMK with MS Subbulakshmi – Sangita Kalanidhi award -seems suspect to one who called her names, more so, when Bharat Ratna M S Subbulakshmi is found to have barred giving away ‘memorial of any kind or recognition in her name, as her last Will and solemn desire.
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