The Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology (PMIST), a deemed-to-be university, very rightly awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) to Carnatic vocalist and activist TM Krishna during its 32nd convocation on Saturday, 19 October 2024. PMIST Chancellor K Veeramani presented the degree in recognition of Krishna’s advocacy for “marginalized communities”.
It is noteworthy that TM Krishna hailed EVR, aka Periyar, and has even sung songs revering him. In 2023, 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.
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
He had even advocated for equating Lord Ram with a dog.
Ranjani Gayatri duo withdraw from participating in the Music Academy’s conference 2024 as it is presided over by "Sangeetha Kalanidhi" TM Krishna – who wanted Sri "Rama to be equalised with a palm tree or a dog"
Kudos to your courage of conviction ma'am! https://t.co/MIWNAmbKC3 pic.twitter.com/eOy6OhPTFz
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) March 20, 2024
With Krishna now being bestowed the Sangita Kalanidhi by Music Academy, its Academic Sessions from 16 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, bear the theme “Aesthetics and Synaesthetics: Reflections on Raga in Indian Art”. These will be presided over by Krishna and feature a variety of lectures and demonstrations on Indian classical music, including some controversial topics. Notably, Dr. R. Ramanathan will present a session on Tamil lament songs (Oppari), traditionally sung at funerals, while Dr. M. Elumalai will discuss Gaana songs as a cultural marker for marginalized communities. Another session explores the appropriation of Christian music by 19th-century poet Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai. These sessions are seen as an attempt to disrupt Carnatic music’s classical traditions.
Hence, it is beneficial that he gets a doctorate from the university. However, does Krishna know what EVR said about music?
He had said, “Music poisons the body through the ear, but ‘acting style combined with music’ spread the toxin into the bloodstream through both the ears and the eyes” Can bhajan songs and God’s lascivious scenes be the solution for this country and its people, who are so deficient and disgraceful”? (Periyar,1944)
Periyar on music.. pic.twitter.com/LbL410IP2x
— SAMVA (@amvtwits) October 21, 2024
Critics wonder if TM Krishna agrees with EVR on this front.
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