In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted an interim stay on the conferral of the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award to renowned Carnatic musician TM Krishna. The court’s decision comes after a petition was filed by V Srinivasan, the grandson of the legendary singer MS Subbulakshmi, alleging that Krishna had maligned her image with misogynistic comments in articles published in mainstream media.
On Monday evening, the bench consisting of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued a notice to the respondents and ordered that Krishna should not be recognized as the recipient of the award until the petition is fully heard and dismissed. The petition, filed by Srinivasan, raised concerns over comments allegedly made by Krishna that disrespected the legacy of his grandmother, a revered figure in the world of Carnatic music.
The interim stay came just one day after TM Krishna was conferred with the award by The Music Academy in Chennai. The court emphasized that its decision should not be interpreted as a critique of Krishna’s musical abilities or the decision made by the Academy, which is a 96-year-old institution of great importance in Carnatic music. However, the bench highlighted the significance of preserving the memory and respect associated with MS Subbulakshmi’s legacy.
During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General N Venkatraman, representing the petitioner, dismissed claims by Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan, who argued that the petition had become irrelevant since the award had already been conferred. Venkatraman, in his submission, condemned the alleged comments made by Krishna, calling them “nauseating” and “misogynistic.” He likened the situation to a hypothetical scenario where an award named after Mahatma Gandhi is conferred upon someone who has publicly denigrated the Mahatma’s legacy, underscoring the constitutional concerns at stake.
The allegations against TM Krishna include calling MS Subbulakshmi “the greatest hoax” and referring to her as a “saintly Barbie doll,” comments that Srinivasan contends are damaging to her image. However, Krishna has vehemently denied the charges, asserting that his remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context. His defense, presented by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, emphasized Krishna’s admiration for Subbulakshmi and explained that his intention was to challenge the “hagiographic myth” surrounding her legacy.
The legal battle surrounding the MS Subbulakshmi Award gained momentum after the Madras High Court’s December 13 interim order allowed the award to be conferred on Krishna. Following this, Srinivasan moved the Supreme Court for further action, leading to the present interim stay.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has sparked intense debate about the intersection of artistic expression, public figures’ legacies, and the responsibilities of awarding institutions. While the court’s order prevents Krishna from being recognized as the awardee for now, the case remains under judicial scrutiny, and a final judgment will be awaited.
The controversy also sheds light on the broader discussions within the Carnatic music community regarding the modern interpretation of tradition, as well as the role of influential musicians in shaping public perceptions of iconic figures like MS Subbulakshmi.
As the legal process continues, all eyes will be on the court’s eventual ruling, which could set a precedent for how public figures are held accountable for their statements about cultural icons and the legacy of national treasures like MS Subbulakshmi.
Sources By Agencies
