Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday congratulated Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna for being selected for the Sangita Kalanidhi award of the Music Academy for 2024.
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In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister said Mr. Krishna is being targeted by a section of people, because of his progressive political stance and continuous support for the poor. “In this, it is unfair to criticise Thanthai Periyar [E.V. Ramasamy], who fought for humanity and equality for women for more than 75 years. Anyone who reads the history and teachings of Periyar and his selfless contribution will never attempt to cast slanderous mud on him,” he said.
The management of Music Academy deserves appreciation for choosing Mr. Krishna for the Sangita Kalanidhi award by recognising his contributions to the music world, said the Chief Minister, adding, “Mr. Krishna’s talent is undeniable. Do not mix petty politics in music, like how it was mixed in religious beliefs. The need of the day is to have a broad vision for humanity by avoiding hatred and embracing fellow human beings.”
The statement by Mr. Stalin came after some of the Harikatha exponents and Carnatic vocalists, including Ranjani and Gayathri, opposed the selection of Mr. Krishna for the Sangita Kalanidhi award and announced to skip the annual conference of the Music Academy, this year. The vocalist duo in a social media post said “It is dangerous to overlook Mr. Krishna’s glorification of a figure like EVR aka Periyar.”
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Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai, in a social media post on X, congratulated Mr. Krishna for the award. He said the award is being conferred to him on the basis of his incredible music talent and progressive social thinking and condemned those who attempt to “create confusion.”