The Supreme Court on Friday declined to schedule an urgent hearing regarding a plea that challenges the decision to confer the Sankita Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award to Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna. The plea, rooted in a contention by M.S. Subbulakshmi’s grandson V. Srinivasan, alleges that Krishna should not receive the award due to his critical comments about Subbulakshmi on social media.
The request for an expedited hearing was brought forth by Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman before a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. Venkataraman argued the urgency of the matter, noting the award ceremony scheduled for December 15. He highlighted the extraordinary nature of the case, citing articles written by Krishna that he claimed maligned the legendary vocalist Subbulakshmi.
Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court bench scheduled the hearing for December 16, one day after the award ceremony. Chief Justice Khanna, in response to concerns that the case might become moot by then, remarked that the award could be retracted if necessary post-conferment.
The litigation initiated by Srinivasan accuses Krishna of making “vile, vituperative and scandalous attacks” against Subbulakshmi, tarnishing the revered singer’s reputation. This legal battle underscores a significant cultural clash within the Carnatic music community, reflecting deeper tensions over legacy and the appropriateness of posthumous honors.
