Here are some of the 2024 Music Academy awards: Sangita Kalanidhi: Awarded to T.M. Krishna, a carnatic vocalist and Magsaysay award winner
Nritya Kalanidhi: Awarded to Neena Prasad Sangita Kala Acharya: Awarded to Parassala Ravi and Geetha Raja TTK Awards: Awarded to Thiruvaiyyaru Brothers S. Narasimhan and S. Venkatesan & H.K. Narasimhamurthy Musicologist Award: Awarded to Margaret Bastin The Music Academy is located in Madras xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Music Academy Cancels Hall Booking For Thuglak Anniversary Event After Gurumurthy Slams Academy’s Decision To Award Woke Dravidianist TM Krishna Who Abused MS Subbulakshmi October 15, 2024 The Commune 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 labelled 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 had a history of dismissing MS’s legacy, making him an unworthy recipient of the award, named after an artist considered divine and sacred by many devotees of Carnatic music. The Music Academy’s decision to confer the Sangita Kalanidhi Award upon Krishna was portrayed as negligent and 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. Gurumurthy 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. 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 cancelled 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 was based on the pretext of needing the hall for an unspecified internal program, which Gurumurthy labelled as a blatant falsehood. He accused the Academy of retaliating against Thuglak for the expose, which revealed a contradiction between its liberal values and actual behaviour. According to him, this incident is a stark example of the Academy’s intolerance towards critical viewpoints, especially when scrutinising its decisions. 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 not to 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 image over honouring the legacy of Carnatic music’s most revered 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. FACTS 10 DAYS BACK K RAJARAM IRS 241024 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx BONUS here some music carnatic, Bhakti and msv 1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fJsxVSmZ9idUUD3eCVNRR3VOgRaWvJ-H/view?usp=drive_link MARGABHANDHU STORTAM 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDhmoou1xlU7thlT7Xoc8qHbt9E7_VXR/view?usp=sharing THYAGARAJA KEERTHANAI FAMOUS SINGERS 3 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oWSlpmFx_N1E0iun7THJDZw3h5sqjiXT/view?usp=drive_link nINMAITHAALE INIKKUM MSV On Thu, 24 Oct 2024 at 16:06, Rama <[email protected]> wrote: > The War Escalates > > BJP idealogue S Gurumurthy to take on Music Academy and The Hindu - > unveils plans > > Addressing an award function at RR Sabha tonight he said to highlight the > importance of bakthi and Carnatic music a decorated chariot with the > statues of three Sangeetha Moommurthigal will be taken in a procession to > all the 50 sabhas including The Music Academy both morning and evening > during the entire music season. "let them prevent it," he says > He is uniting all sabhas in Chennai under one banner "No Carnatic Music > without Bakthi" to expose the pseudo music sabhas that trade on Carnatic > music to fill the coffers under the secular Carnatic music banner. Linking > the present state of affairs to imposition of Emergency he said though > draconian the Emergency reinforced and taught people what is press freedom, > free speech and liberty not heard of in many parts of India. " We will come > out stronger and already hundreds of youngsters have joined the movement > called Sangeetha Gnanamulo to spread awareness between Sanatana Dharma and > Carnatic Music. The next generation will complete the task he says. Some > bring honor to awards and some bring shame to the awards they are > receiving. We are only worried that the award carries the name of MS whom > Paramacharya said her name will remain on the earth till sun and the moon > exists. After abusing MS openly in a vulger language not acceptable by any > standards how shameless a person stoop so low to get an award given in her > name. > Highlights > TM Krishna's father in law who was sitting on the front row suddenly > staged a walk out when Gurumurthy was about to begin his address > Music Academy's Executive Committee Member Sujatha Vijayaraghavan sat > through the entire program even applauding the fiery Gurumurthy's speech. > Those who cheered Gurumurthy's speech and were in the audience include Dr > Padma Subrahmanyam, Chitra Visweswaran, Cleveland Sundaram, > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZop0Ag%2Bc-E4VJ_M2mqCudSYek0W95fu3YNfeZe%3D_G_LULQ%40mail.gmail.com.
