TM Krishna Sangita Kalanidhi Award Row: Ranjani-Gayatri Withdraw From Music Conference, Chitravina Ravikiran Returns Award
Several renowned Indian classical musicians have withdrawn from the Music Academy’s Conference 2024 to protest against ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ title being conferred to Carnatic singer TM Krishna.
New Delhi: A significant stir has erupted within the classical music community as several renowned Indian classical musicians have withdrawn from the Music Academy’s Conference 2024 to protest against ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ title being conferred to Carnatic singer TM Krishna, along with his appointment as the presiding figure over the upcoming conference.
Ranjani and Gayatri withdraw from Music Academy’s Conference 2024
Prominent singers Ranjani and Gayatri were among the first to publicly announce their withdrawal from the conference. In a strongly worded statement on X, they expressed that their participation in an event under TM Krishna's leadership would constitute a "moral violation." They accuse Krishna of inflicting "immense damage" upon the Carnatic music world, citing his alleged disrespect towards revered icons such as Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi.
“We have communicated our decision to withdraw from participating in the Music Academy’s conference 2024 & from presenting our concert on 25 Dec. We made this decision as the conference would be presided over by TM Krishna. He has caused immense damage to the Carnatic music world, wilfully and happily stomped over the sentiments of this community, and insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi,” they posted on X.
#thread 1/6
— Ranjani Gayatri (@ranjanigayatri) March 20, 2024
We have communicated our decision to withdraw from participating in the Music Academy’s conference 2024 & from presenting our concert on 25 Dec.
We made this decision as the conference would be presided over by TM Krishna. #madrasmusicacademy #respectcarnaticmusic
“His actions have tried to spread a sense of shame in being a carnatic musician and has been exhibited through his consistent denigration of spirituality in music. He has vilified the Carnatic music fraternity that has collectively contributed millions of hours of artistry, hard work and literature,” they added.
“It’s dangerous to overlook Mr. TM Krishna’s glorification of a figure like EVR who 1. Openly proposed a genocide of ‘brahmins’ 2. Repeatedly called/abused every woman in this community with vile profanity 3. Relentlessly worked to normalize filthy language in social discourse,” they wrote.
“We believe in a value system that respects art and artists, vaggeyakaras, rasikas, institutions, our roots, and culture. We will be in moral violation if we were to bury these values and join this year’s conference,” they concluded.
Chitravina Ravikiran returns his award
The controversy further intensified when Carnatic musician Chitravina Ravikiran returned his Sangita Kalanidhi Award from the academy in protest.
He wrote on X, “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 (sic).”
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
Chinmayi Sripaada reacts to protest
However, amidst the uproar, singer Chinmayi Sripaada has raised questions about the selective outrage within the Carnatic music community. She highlights the silence of musicians during the #MeToo movement, juxtaposing it with their current stance against Krishna. She wrote, “The entire Carnatic Music community continues to platform the molesters despite knowing who the dirty mamas are.”
WOW.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 20, 2024
I have not seen such an impassioned thread when scores of Carnatic Music students spoke about sexual abuse and harassment by multiple Carnatic Musicians in 2018.
They have multiple molesters - Child sex offenders to be specific, in their own fold, denigrating and soiling… https://t.co/u3C36gOvpD
Of course
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 20, 2024
Said value system has no moral violation when platform Carnatic Music Mama molester Gurus or thadavara Sabha mamas
I have seen it all as a child.
Trust me when I say the Film Industry is a safer place than the Carnatic Music Industry.
C’est ca. https://t.co/RVELKRlX5Q
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