Carnatic classical vocalist Theodore Madabhosi Krishnathe musician who has been at the forefront of challenging conventional ideas about caste and gender politics in Carnatic music besides highlighting institutional issues and non-inclusivity in the popular December music season, has received the Sangeeta Kalanidhi Award – the most prestigious recognition in Carnatic music – from the Madras Music Academy.
According to a statement by N. Murali, President of Madras Music Academy, Krishna's outstanding appreciation is his “powerful voice”, “his commitment to tradition when it comes to art”, and “emphasis on exploration rather than on art”. specific structures” and the use of music “as a tool for social reform.”
In an email conversation with Indian ExpressKrishna described the award as “the highest recognition for a Carnatic musician” and a “special humbling moment” in his life. “At this moment, I pause and reflect on all that has happened, and at the same time I look forward to traveling the many paths less traveled,” said Krishna, who will chair the academy's 98th Annual Convention and Concerts later this year. year in December.
Krishna chose not to perform at the Academy of Music in a decision made in 2015 after he felt that the sprawling December music season, which grew out of the Academy of Music's first annual conference on Carnatic music in 1929, was increasingly driven by “commodification”. Besides being “socially stifling”. It also highlighted the non-inclusive nature of the art form and musical season, as non-Brahmin musicians and some art forms such as Pariyattam, Villupattu, Jana Pattu and Kothu were excluded.
He spoke of not making classical forms restricted to certain spaces only, and started a music festival in the fishing village of Aurur-Olcott Kuppam in an attempt to “expel caste elitism from the existing Carnatic music system” and unify various art forms. . The nephew of former Indian Finance Minister T. T. Krishnamachari, and also one of the founders of the Madras Music Academy, Krishna was 12 years old when he gave his first concert at the academy.
The Sangeet Acharya Awards were given to mridangam master Parasala Ravi and Carnatic singer Geetha Raja, who studied under Mohiniyattam Neena Prasad under the patronage of T Brinda, one of the leading representatives of the Vinay Dhanmal school of Carnatic music.
© Indian Express Private Limited
First uploaded on: 03-18-2024 at 05:06 EST
