The Madras Music Academy recently conferred TM Krishna with the Sangita Kalanidhi award. Renowned Carnatic musicians Ranjani and Gayatri have taken offence, and in protesting the award, the duo announced their decision to withdraw from the Music Academy Conference 2024. Harikatha exponent Dushyanth Sridhar has withdrawn from the conference too.
In a series of tweets, the sisters had made their discontent known. “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 wrote.
“He has vilified the Carnatic music fraternity that has collectively contributed millions of hours of artistry, hard work and literature,” they added.
The President of the Madras Music Academy N Murali, replying to the thread, in a letter wrote, “This year the Executive Committee of the Academy chose TM Krishna for this accolade based on his excellence in music over a long career, with no extraneous factions influencing his choice.”
"I note that you have shared your letter addressed to me and the Academy on social media, which apart from being discourteous, raises doubts about the intentions behind and the purpose of your letter,” he added.
He expressed shock at their 'unwarranted and slanderous assertion against a senior fellow musician'. “Normally, a missive of the kind you have addressed to me and the Academy posted on social media before you have received a reply would not warrant a response,” Murali iterated.
