In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court on Tuesday barred the Madras Music Academy from using the name of legendary Carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi for an award intended for fellow musician TM Krishna.
Justice G. Jayachandran delivered the verdict, responding to a petition by V. Srinivasan, Subbulakshmi’s grandson. Srinivasan contested the use of his grandmother’s name for the Sangita Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award, asserting that Subbulakshmi’s will explicitly prohibits the creation of any awards, trusts, or memorials in her name posthumously.
The court held that the true respect for MS Subbulakshmi would be to honor her expressed wishes rather than instituting awards in her name. While the Academy may continue to honor artists such as Krishna, any such recognition should not be linked to Subbulakshmi’s name.
TM Krishna, a Carnatic vocalist known for his progressive views and activism, has been a controversial figure within the traditional music circles. His innovative approach to Carnatic music, incorporating secular and multi-lingual elements, and his advocacy against caste discrimination within the music community, have sparked both admiration and criticism.
The petitioner highlighted that TM Krishna had made disparaging remarks about Subbulakshmi on social media, which he argued further disqualified Krishna from receiving an award in her name. The court’s decision reflects a broader conversation about the preservation of cultural legacies and the intentions behind commemorations.
