'Regrettable to criticize T M Krishna' says Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin; derides criticism of Periyar by musicians

Stalin backing the noted singer comes against the background of some Carnatic musicians opposing the 'Sangita Kalanidhi' award announced days ago by The Music Academy for Krishna. Such musicians who opposed the award to Krishna had criticised Periyar EV Ramasamy.

Chennai: Coming out in support of T M Krishna by heaping praises on him, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday waded into the controversy over Sangita Kalanidhi to the Carnatic vocalist by appealing to everyone “not to mix narrow politics” in music like how “religious beliefs were mixed with politics.”

Stalin, in a social media post, also derided the criticism of social reformer E V R Periyar by those supporting the Carnatic music artists who have come out against the prestigious honour to Krishna by the Music Academy, Madras, and asked them to read his works.

The controversy got a political colour when singers Ranjani and Gayathri cited Krishna’s praise of Periyar, who they alleged had called for a “genocide of Brahmins”, as one of the reasons for them to pull out of the December music season.

“The management of the Music Academy deserves our appreciation for choosing Krishna as a worthy candidate to give him due respect and recognition for his contributions to the Carnatic music industry. His talent is undeniable,” Stalin said.

“Don't mix narrow politics in music like you mixed religious beliefs with politics. The need of the hour is to have a broad human vision and the ability to avoid hatred by embracing everyone,” the Chief Minister added.

The comments on Periyar by the singers led to a public backlash with the internet world lampooning them for their criticism of the social reformer and asking them to read his views on equality and women rights, with the row coming just weeks before Tamil Nadu is set to vote on April 19 in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Ranjani-Gayatri, however, found support from a section which “lauded” the vocalists for “mustering” the courage to call out Krishna and “EVR” at the same time, including Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai who accused the 98-year-old institution of coming under the threat of “disintegration by divisive forces.”

“The last refuge for proponents of defunct propaganda and ideology of hate and division cannot be the temple of Carnatic music,” Annamalai said. Stalin’s Saturday statement makes it clear where the DMK and BJP stand on the issue.

Contending that it is regrettable to criticize Krishna for his progressive political stances and his constant concern for the 'common man', Stalin said it was 'unfair' to 'unnecessarily' lash out at Periyar.

"For 75 years, Periyar, in a peaceful manner, fought for humanity and to ensure equal rights for women. Anyone who reads Periyar's selfless life and his thoughts will not attempt to throw mud at him," Stalin added.

DMK MP from Thoothukudi and Stalin’s half-sister, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, was the first to come out in support of Krishna by categorically asserting that the vocalist deserved the honour and that a basic reading of Periyar’s ideas show that he is one of the “greatest feminists” the world has seen.