The ongoing controversy regarding the Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award for 2024, bestowed upon T.M. Krishna, has taken an unexpected turn, drawing further criticism towards the Madras Music Academy (MA). S. Gurumurthy’s critique in The New Indian Express on 10 October 2024 laid bare the inconsistency in awarding Krishna, a controversial figure in the Carnatic music world, who had previously disparaged MS Subbulakshmi’s legacy.
Gurumurthy’s critique focused on Krishna’s past remarks, where the latter labeled MS Subbulakshmi, the iconic Carnatic musician, as a “hoax,” a “saintly Barbie doll,” and even described her as “sexy,” focusing on her physical appearance rather than her musical contributions. Gurumurthy argued that Krishna’s history of dismissing MS’s legacy made him an unworthy recipient of the award, which is named after an artist considered divine and sacred by many devotees of Carnatic music.
The decision to confer the Sangita Kalanidhi Award upon Krishna by the Music Academy was portrayed as not merely negligent but as an active affront to MS Subbulakshmi’s memory. According to Gurumurthy, this reflects a larger trend of the Academy’s departure from the traditional values associated with Carnatic music, wherein music is seen not merely as an art form but as a medium deeply interwoven with spirituality and devotion. He pointed out that Krishna, a self-styled heretic and progressive voice in the Carnatic music scene, is known for his iconoclastic views that challenge the sacred foundations of the music, making the award selection especially controversial. Furthermore, the critique noted that while the jury that once selected the awardees consisted of renowned musicians, the process has now shifted to non-musicians who, according to Gurumurthy, may not fully grasp the deeper philosophical aspects of Carnatic music.
My comment on how the Music academy dishonoured itself by honouring TM Krishna who dishonoured MS Subbulakshmi the noblest icon of Karnatic music and also got the award in the name of MS whom he dishonoured. Read the sordid storyhttps://t.co/edul1QAoC4
— S Gurumurthy (@sgurumurthy) October 10, 2024
Music Academy Retracts Decision To Reserve Hall For Thuglak Anniversary Function
Adding fuel to the fire, on 14 October 2024, after Gurumurthy’s critique was published, the Music Academy canceled Thuglak magazine’s annual function booking for 14 January 2025. This event had been a regular feature at the Academy’s hall for over a decade, and the venue was blocked for the upcoming anniversary as of 20 September 2024. The abrupt cancellation came under the pretext of needing the hall for an unspecified internal program, which Gurumurthy labeled as a blatant falsehood. He accused the Academy of retaliating against Thuglak for the expose, revealing a contradiction between its professed liberal values and actual behavior. According to him, this incident serves as a stark example of the Academy’s intolerance towards critical viewpoints, especially when its own decisions are under scrutiny.
My expose of Music Academy on MS award to TMK appeared in the New Indian express in the morning, at 1.40 pm the MA cancelled the booking of its hall for the Thuglak annual function on Jan 14 2025. For which MA had given permission on 20/9. See mails below pic.twitter.com/kdPfrfgdTm
— S Gurumurthy (@sgurumurthy) October 10, 2024
Gurumurthy’s commentary emphasized that the Music Academy’s actions reveal an unwillingness to confront the criticism regarding its choice to award Krishna. Instead, the decision to not reserve the premises for Thuglak’s event further discredits the Academy, showcasing an effort to suppress dissent rather than engage in meaningful dialogue. The abrupt cancellation drew widespread attention, with Gurumurthy condemning it as a petty and shameful act aimed at silencing a reputed publication known for its critical stance. He suggested that the Academy’s actions expose its declining stature, as it seemingly prioritizes protecting its own image over honoring the legacy of Carnatic music’s most venerated figures.
The controversy has also highlighted legal challenges concerning the award itself, as MS Subbulakshmi’s grandson has filed a petition in the Madras High Court contesting the very existence of the award in her name, citing her expressed wishes against any memorials or awards after her passing. This petition raises questions about whether the Music Academy’s decision to institute the award violated MS’s will and whether the subsequent actions reflect a disregard for her legacy.
The broader implications of the controversy are significant, as Gurumurthy’s critique calls for the Carnatic music community to reflect on its values and resist trends that, in his view, threaten to secularize an art form deeply rooted in devotion. He cautioned that the trajectory could reduce Carnatic music to a mere form of entertainment, akin to popular music, if it loses its spiritual essence. By honoring Krishna, a figure known for his irreverence towards traditional values and reverence in Carnatic music, the Academy has, according to Gurumurthy, dishonored itself and the legacy of MS Subbulakshmi. The withdrawal of the Thuglak event booking has, therefore, become emblematic of the Music Academy’s perceived double standards and has sparked a larger debate about freedom of expression, respect for tradition, and the future direction of Carnatic music in Tamil Nadu.
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