A controversy has been kicked off after Madras Music Academy honoured musician TM Krishna a hardcore ‘Anti-Hindu’ and staunch supporter of Periyar. Protesting against the award, Carnatic vocalists Ranjani-Gayatri and Harikatha exponent Dushyanth Sridhar have withdrawn from the Music Academy Conference 2024.
Carnatic vocalist Vidushi sisters Ranjani and Gayatri said that they will not be performing at their concert on December 25, 2024 and won’t participate in the conference to be held from December 15 to January 1.
They accused TM Krishna of causing “immense damage to the Carnatic music world” and “willfully and happily” stomping over the sentiments of the music community. They also alleged that TM Krishna insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi.
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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— Ranjani Gayatri (@ranjanigayatri) March 20, 2024
Accusing TM Krishna of vilifying the Carnatic music fraternity, they said, “It is dangerous to overlook Mr TM Krishna’s glorification of a figure like EVR”.
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.
TM Krishna
TM Krishna had also participated in the blatantly anti-Hindu global conference titled “Dismantling Global Hindutva”. He earlier, advocated human rights for 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged as soon as he was hanged in 2010.
He has hailed EVR and has even sung songs revering him. Recently, he released a song titled “Sindhikka Sonnavar Periyar”. which means “EVR told us to think”, in contrast to what EV Ramasamy Naicker told his Dravidar Kazhagam followers. EV Ramasamy Naicker always wanted his followers not to think and just follow his orders like a military organization.
TM Krishna not only glorified EVR, someone who wanted genocide of Brahmins and used filthy language against women. But he is also an active member of the Soros Gang.
We warned people 2 yrs ago to stop inviting TM Krishna for concerts as the is tied up with anti-India, anti-Hindu forces! Finally, the day comes when Hindus are cancelling such people! https://t.co/blTSca32s1 pic.twitter.com/ax93PcUyEY
— Stop Hindu Hate Advocacy Network (SHHAN) (@HinduHate) March 21, 2024
TM Krishna had admitted that he feels no empathy when RSS members are killed by communists or Islamists in places like Kerala.
Trying to give context to his barbarian and bloodthirsty beliefs, Krishna had funnily blamed the Modi government for making him inhuman. “They (BJP and allies) have made the rest of us crass and inhuman to the extent that we are unable to empathise when an RSS member is killed”, the controversial artist had poured his unbridled hate in an article written for left-leaning portal Scroll.
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.
Who supported Ranjani-Gayatri
Dushyanth Sridhar, too, has refused to perform on January 1, 2025. “I have conveyed to the Madras Music Academy that I will not be performing on the 1st January 2025 (after the sadas).
Chitravina Ravikiran announced that he was returning the Sangita Kalanidhi award conferred upon him in 2017. On his official X handle, he wrote, “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”.
He also attached a copy of the letter he wrote to the President of the Madras Music Academy, N Murali. In the letter, he enumerated the reasons for his decision to return the award.
Respected Mridangam Maestro Bangalore Arjun Kumar pic.twitter.com/Gq9ol9KoFV
— CA ManianGopi ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@maniangopi) March 21, 2024
Apart from Trichur Brothers, joins Ranjani-Gayatri, they wrote, “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 TM Krishna would make us outright hypocrites in our own eyes”.
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