<p>Chitradurga: Former chief minister S M Krishna was a connoisseur of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and spent his entire life immersed in musical harmony.</p><p>A music lover since childhood, he was a politician revered by artists. During the Covid period, Krishna extended a helping hand to musicians in distress.</p><p>Even while serving as an MLA, MP, chief minister, governor, and union minister, Krishna had a deep appreciation for classical music. In Carnatic music, he particularly admired the voice of Tamil musician Vasanthakumari. He appreciated Vasanthakumari's clear rendition of Purandara Dasa's Kannada compositions. Inspired by Krishna, senior writer N Jagadish Koppa authored the book 'Sangeetha Kogile Vasanthakumari'.</p><p>Krishna also loved playing the Tabala and had developed the passion for it while studying at the Ramakrishna Ashram. Even while pursuing higher education in America, he continued practising and playing Tabala.</p><p>Whenever Kannada artists visited America, Krishna assisted them with their accommodation. Many artists recall, "If Krishna had not been a politician, he would have been an artist."</p><p>They added that if he were alive, he would have participated in the Margazhi music festival starting in Chennai.</p><p><strong>Regular visitor </strong></p><p>After retiring from active politics, he devoted his life entirely to music. He regularly travelled to Chennai, Mumbai, and Pune for concerts by his favourite artists. In Bengaluru, he would sit in the front row and listen to music until the end at several concerts and would congratulate the artists. He particularly enjoyed the violin concerts of world-renowned Mysore brothers Nagaraj-Manjunath.</p><p>Recalls violinist Mysore Manjunath, "S M Krishna recently attended a special concert featuring 80 instruments. He brought along judges and officials. During his tenure as chief minister, he organised several music concerts at Vidhana Soudha. It was our privilege to perform even at the weddings of his three daughters. He was a music-loving politician."</p><p>During his tenure as the Governor of Maharashtra, Krishna set a record by participating in the most music events. "He attended several Hindustani classical music concerts held in Pune," recalled Pune musician Vidushi Veena Maradur.</p><p><strong>Helping hand for artists</strong></p><p>"During the Covid period, S M Krishna was aware of artists' condition. He called me and got a list of artists in distress and directly deposited money into their accounts. Krishna also joined our relief efforts, but did not seek any publicity. Now that he is no longer with us, we must remember his love for music," said Mysore Manjunath.</p><p>"Not only during Covid, he consistently helped artists in need. He never boasted about it. His knowledge of music, literature, and art made him a wise politician," said Jagadish Koppa, author of S M Krishna's biography 'Nelada Siri'.</p>
<p>Chitradurga: Former chief minister S M Krishna was a connoisseur of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and spent his entire life immersed in musical harmony.</p><p>A music lover since childhood, he was a politician revered by artists. During the Covid period, Krishna extended a helping hand to musicians in distress.</p><p>Even while serving as an MLA, MP, chief minister, governor, and union minister, Krishna had a deep appreciation for classical music. In Carnatic music, he particularly admired the voice of Tamil musician Vasanthakumari. He appreciated Vasanthakumari's clear rendition of Purandara Dasa's Kannada compositions. Inspired by Krishna, senior writer N Jagadish Koppa authored the book 'Sangeetha Kogile Vasanthakumari'.</p><p>Krishna also loved playing the Tabala and had developed the passion for it while studying at the Ramakrishna Ashram. Even while pursuing higher education in America, he continued practising and playing Tabala.</p><p>Whenever Kannada artists visited America, Krishna assisted them with their accommodation. Many artists recall, "If Krishna had not been a politician, he would have been an artist."</p><p>They added that if he were alive, he would have participated in the Margazhi music festival starting in Chennai.</p><p><strong>Regular visitor </strong></p><p>After retiring from active politics, he devoted his life entirely to music. He regularly travelled to Chennai, Mumbai, and Pune for concerts by his favourite artists. In Bengaluru, he would sit in the front row and listen to music until the end at several concerts and would congratulate the artists. He particularly enjoyed the violin concerts of world-renowned Mysore brothers Nagaraj-Manjunath.</p><p>Recalls violinist Mysore Manjunath, "S M Krishna recently attended a special concert featuring 80 instruments. He brought along judges and officials. During his tenure as chief minister, he organised several music concerts at Vidhana Soudha. It was our privilege to perform even at the weddings of his three daughters. He was a music-loving politician."</p><p>During his tenure as the Governor of Maharashtra, Krishna set a record by participating in the most music events. "He attended several Hindustani classical music concerts held in Pune," recalled Pune musician Vidushi Veena Maradur.</p><p><strong>Helping hand for artists</strong></p><p>"During the Covid period, S M Krishna was aware of artists' condition. He called me and got a list of artists in distress and directly deposited money into their accounts. Krishna also joined our relief efforts, but did not seek any publicity. Now that he is no longer with us, we must remember his love for music," said Mysore Manjunath.</p><p>"Not only during Covid, he consistently helped artists in need. He never boasted about it. His knowledge of music, literature, and art made him a wise politician," said Jagadish Koppa, author of S M Krishna's biography 'Nelada Siri'.</p>