In an extraordinary decision, maverick Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna has declared that he will not sing in Chennai December music season henceforth. In a Facebook posting, he said: “I would like to inform all of you that henceforth (beginning December 2015), I will not be singing in Chennai’s December Music Season.”
Krishna, who has taken an unconventional stand on many issues related to Carnatic music, said, “Right from when I was five or six the ‘season’ has been part of my musical universe and I have learnt so much from musicians, musicologists, scholars and rasikas.” Articulating his feeling of dismay, he said “unfortunately, at the place I am today I am unable to reconcile my musical journey with that of the December season.” He said that he had already communicated his decision to the concert organisers. “My growth in the field of music has been largely due to the sabhas of Chennai, and, over the years, they have been most accommodative and graceful in accepting my varied requests,” he said. He went on to thank all of them “for everything.”
Krishna has been in the limelight for aggressive articulation of his thought-process on many issues, much to the displeasure of traditionalists. He has questioned the long-established concert structure, the domination of the Carnatic music scene by a single community and ticketing of concerts. The release of his book on ‘A Southern Music – The Karnatic Story’, has put him further under the spotlight.
Season after season, Krishna somehow has remained the focus of intense public glare and discussion. A few seasons ago, he announced that he would cycle his way to sabhas to attend fellow-musicians concerts. He also chose to skip the December season voluntarily once. And, he has told organisers that his concerts should not be ticketed. A musician with interests in many things including cricket and writing, he has been helping student community to organise the annual music event for kids called Svanubhava. Krishna’s decision to quit the Chennai December Music Season is indeed a huge disappointment for his fans.
Here's T.M.Krishna's official Facebook post on his decision:
I would like to inform all of you that henceforth (beginning December 2015) I will not be singing in Chennai’s December...
Posted by >T.M. Krishna on >Wednesday, 10 June 2015
