T.M. Krishna conferred Sangita Kalanidhi title

Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 by Professor David Shulman, Chair, Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies, Hebrew University, Jerusalem at 98th conference and concerts — Sadas, traditional oriental convocation — of The Music Academy in Chennai

Renowned Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred the title of Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 by Professor David Shulman, Chair, Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies, and former professor of Indian Studies and Comparative Religion, Hebrew University, Jerusalem at the 98th conference and concerts — Sadas, the traditional oriental convocation — of The Music Academy in Chennai on Wednesday.

Parassala Ravi and Geetha Raja were conferred the title of Sangita Kalaacharya and Dr. Margaret Bastin was the recipient of Musicologist Award 2024. Thiruvaiyyaru Brothers S. Narasimhan and S. Venkatesan, and violinist H.K. Narasimhamurthy received the TTK Award.

Speaking at the event, N. Murali, President, The Music Academy, and Director, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited, said Mr. Krishna’s concert held on Christmas Day was of ‘very high quality’ and the response from the audience ‘was truly overwhelming and the rapturous applause and standing ovation that the artist received were incredible’.

“All in all, the rasikas, young and old, were in such high spirits and bursting with such energy and enthusiasm that the whole atmosphere was surreal in a sense. I would dare say that, if at all there is a musician who could attract into the fold of Carnatic music those outside it, particularly younger audiences, it is Shri T.M. Krishna,” he said. “The Carnatic music ecosystem needs such an induction sorely as there are structural changes already happening, which, institutions involved in classical performing arts, need to take serious note of.”

Mr. Murali said Mr. Krishna ‘distinguished himself in the role as the President of the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts’. “His brilliance absolutely shone through the entire season. The academic sessions have been specially curated for the first time in over 20 years with an overarching theme ‘Aesthetics and Synaesthetics: Reflections on Raga in Indian Art’,” he said.

Upon receiving the title, Mr. Krishna, who thanked the people of Uroor Olcott Kuppam, along with his friends and family, said his life changed after he was invited to organise a music festival in 2015 in Uroor Olcott Kuppam.

“My life over the past decade or so has had many rounds of disturbances. Many have lasted about a month or so, but 2024 was different. It was about eight months of non-stop action, if you can call it that. I know I’m tough, but sometimes, it is hard and it can get very lonely,” he said.