TM Krishna not to be recognised as recipient of award in name of music maestro M S Subbulakshmi: SC

The bench issued notice to Krishna, the music academy, The Hindu and THG Publishing Private Limited while seeking their replies within four weeks.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered that Carnatic singer T M Krishna would not be recognised as a recipient of the award instituted in the name of late Carnatic music maestro M S Subbulakshmi, who passed away in 2004. 

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti said Krishna shall not be recognised as a recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi Award. 

The apex court passed the order on an appeal challenging the Madras High Court order allowing the Madras Music Academy to present the award to musician Krishna. 

An appeal was filed in the apex court hours after the High Court set aside an interim injunction barring the academy from conferring the award on Krishna.

Senior advocate N Venkataraman, represented the appellant V Shrinivasan, Subbulakshmi’s grandson, before the apex court. He claimed Krishna maligned her images in several articles by making "misogynistic and nauseating comments".

Senior Advocate C S Vaidyanathan, for the Music Academy asked the bench to consider refraining from using the title, instead of not being recognised as a recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi Award. 

However, the bench clarified that Krishna should not be recognised and this the only way the court can turn the clock backwards. Subbulakshmi’s grandson has assailed the conferment on Krishna on Sunday.

"Krishna will not be recognised as a recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi Award. He is also restrained from projecting himself as a recipient of this order," the bench said.

Meanwhile, while passing interim order, the bench said, "It must be made clear that the music academy has a glorious legacy and their contribution in music is universally recognised. Same is also the reputation of The Hindu group, who have sponsored the order. This interim order should be seen as a reflection on either the music academy or The Hindu publication.”

The bench also said Krishna is himself a great Carnatic singer.

“It should not be a reflection on respondent number 4 (Krishna),” the bench said.

The court said this order should not also be seen as a reflection of the court's comment on the singing abilities of Krishna.

The injunction in question had been granted by a single judge of the High Court last month following a suit filed by Shrinivasan, whose objection centred on his grandmother’s will. He had argued that the will prohibited any form of memorial in her name, including awards.

The Sangita Kalanidhi M S Subbulakshmi Award, instituted jointly by the Music Academy and The Hindu in 2005, offers a cash prize of Rs one lakh to honour excellence in Carnatic music.