Sangita Kalanidhi Award For TM Krishna: Ranjani-Gayatri Withdraw From Music Academy's Conference In Protest (image:facebook.com/Ranjani.Gayatri.RaGa/)
Renowned Carnatic vocalist duo Ranjani and Gayatri announced their decision to withdraw from participating in the Music Academy”s conference 2024 since it will be presided over by TM Krishna. They have also added that they won’t perform at the academy’s upcoming music festival scheduled on December. It was in protest to Music Academy conferring Sangita Kalanidhi, its highest honour to TM Krishna, Ranjini and Gayathri announced their decision.
In a social media post, Ranjani and Gayatri alleged that TM Krishna has caused “immense damage” to the Carnatic music world. Musicians stated that TM Krishna trampled the sentiments of Carnatic music community and insulted most renowned icons like Tyagaraja and M S Subbulakshmi.
#thread 1/6
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
The sisters argued that Krishna”s actions have tried to spread a sense of shame in being a Carnatic musician, and it was exhibited through his consistent deprecation of spirituality in music.
Adding further, Carnatic vocalists wrote on X: “Its 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 of this community with vile profanity 3. Relentlessly worked to normalize filthy language in social discourse.”
Meanwhile, author and activist Meena Kandasamy questioned Ranjini and Gayathri”s claims and in strong words rebutted it. In response to Carnatic vocalists post on X, Meena Kandasamy asked: “- Where did Periyar propose a genocide of Brahmins? – Please cite instances of Periyar using profanity against women?”
– Where did Periyar propose a genocide of Brahmins?
– Please cite instances of Periyar using profanity against women?You are so petty, so jealous, that you”ll even taken up the Goebbels enterprise of fake facts manufacture than just COPING that @tmkrishna was honoured. https://t.co/SGFn7cwKOO
— Dr Meena Kandasamy 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 மீனா கந்தசாமி (@meenakandasamy) March 20, 2024
Continuing further, she wrote: “You are so petty, so jealous, that you”ll even taken up the Goebbels enterprise of fake facts manufacture than just COPING that @tmkrishna was honoured.”
Similarly, singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada dismissed Ranjini and Gayatri”s statements and wrote that she has not witnessed such an “impassioned thread” when several Carnatic music students came up and spoke about sexual abuse and harassment by multiple Carnatic Musicians in 2018. “All these people with power and audience could have done so much – but they didnt. Nobody said a word,” she added. Adding further, Chinmayi congratulated TM Krishna.
WOW.
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
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 20, 2024
It is only few days before, The Music Academy has named TM Krishna for the Sangita Kalanidhi award. It is considered one of the highest honours in Carnatic music. Aside from a Carnatic vocalist, TM Krishna is a social activist and a recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award.
