The Music Academy Chennai has scheduled its Academic Sessions from 16 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, with the theme “Aesthetics and Synaesthetics: Reflections on Raga in Indian Art.” The sessions are presided over by T.M. Krishna and feature a diverse array of lectures and demonstrations (lecdems) on various aspects of Indian classical music, particularly Carnatic music.
Among the numerous sessions, there are a few presentations in Tamil that stand out:
On December 18, 2024, Dr R Ramanathan will present a lecdem titled “இழப்பின் வலியும் வலியின் இழப்பும் – ஒப்பாரிப் பாடல்களை முன்வைத்து” (The pain of loss and the loss of pain – Presenting lament songs). This session likely explores the emotional depth and cultural significance of Tamil lament songs, examining their role in expressing grief and loss in Tamil society. An oppari is a traditional South Indian mourning song or lament that’s sung at funerals and other death ceremonies. It is not sung during festivals, especially during a music festival in the sacred month of Margazhi. It is not clear what TMK wants to achieve by bringing such a genre for discussion at a classical Carnatic music academic session.
On 29 December 2024, Dr M Elumalai will deliver a presentation on “கானா பாடல்கள் : விளிம்புநிலை மக்களின் பண்பாட்டு அடையாளம்” (Gaana songs: Cultural identity of marginalized people). This session focuses on Gaana songs and their ‘importance in representing the cultural identity of marginalized communities in Tamil Nadu.
Another session on 30 December 2024 titled “Sarva Samarasa Kirtanaigalum Sanmargak Kirtanaigalum” by a “Vidushi Sr Margaret Bastin” is said to be on appropriated Christian music by a poet from the 1800s called Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai. Is this the mainstream start of the Christianisation of Carnatic music at the Academy?
TM Krishna, known for his left-leaning tendencies and support for Dravidianist ideologies, has once again tried to create chaos in the world of Carnatic music. The Music Academy primarily focuses on classical Carnatic music. With TM Krishna now being the Sangita Kalanidhi designate, he is already seen meddling with the state of affairs at the Academy.
Earlier this year, when his Sangita Kalanidhi award was announced, several music artists called out the Academy for their hypocrisy in honouring an artist who belittled Lord Rama by singing about EV Ramasamy Naicker also hailed as Periyar in TN and who also garlanded Lord Rama with a slipper garland. Several of them even returned their awards to the Academy.
To rehash our readers’ memory about TMK, here is a short bio:
TM Krishna is a Carnatic musician known more for his activism than his music. He comes from a wealthy and influential family background and received training from renowned Carnatic music teachers. He frequently courts controversy through his opinions on various social and political issues, often criticizing traditional practices and institutions.
He has taken anti-national stances on topics such as terrorism, advocating for human rights even for convicted terrorists. Krishna is associated with organizations that are anti-India and anti-Hindu, including those funded by George Soros.
Krishna has been critical of Hindu nationalist organizations like the RSS and BJP, often holding them responsible for social issues and conflicts in India. He has also several times questioned traditional Hindu practices and beliefs.
In his musical career, Krishna has pushed boundaries by incorporating Christian hymns into Carnatic music and expressing intentions to focus on non-Hindu religious themes in his compositions.
He has written critically about revered figures in Carnatic music, such as MS Subbulakshmi, often framing his critiques through a leftist-Dravidianist lens. Krishna has also made controversial statements about Hindu deities and religious events.
The singer also makes a case for caste-based social privilege being the root of all social evils in Tamil Nadu. But the nuances and layers of privilege are lost upon the obviously privileged self-acclaimed activist.
He performed classical music in venues like mosques, churches, and fishing villages, breaking traditional boundaries. Most often, he is seen wearing a lungi and skull cap in such scenarios. Krishna conceptualized the Urur-Olcott Kuppam Vizha, a festival in a Chennai fishing village.
He also sang the poetry of Perumal Murugan and invoked EV Ramasamy Naicker.
Honouring Periyar with this special song along with Perumal Murugan and Pazha. Athiyaman – Commemorating the Centenary of the Vaikom Satyagraha. @perumal_murugan
Watch the full video here: https://t.co/tL7aLUFTbt#tmkrishna #musician #perumalmurugan #periyar #vaikomsatyagraha
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) March 30, 2023
A few years ago, DMK MP Kanimozhi was seen participating in an event at Music Academy where “gaana” songs were sung. These gaana songs, while they may represent a community’s culture, are also filled with filthy and vulgar meanings for the most part. With TMK now at the helm, it will not be surprising for classical Carnatic music to take a backseat and such deviations to take centre stage.
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