‘Music is also symbolic’: T M Krishna launches book decoding India’s national symbols

Before the event, Krishna told The Indian Express that “every symbol is powerful on its own, some of them you notice more than the other but they always exist”.

4 min readPuneFeb 28, 2026 09:30 AM IST

T M Krishna in conversation with Suhas Palshikar at Pune International Centre. Photo by Soham Shah

“Coming from the world of music, which itself is symbolic, is what led to my interest in symbols,” said T M Krishna while launching his book ‘We the People of India–Decoding a Nation’s Symbols’ at the Pune International Centre on Friday. The book is a deep dive into the historical, cultural, and philosophical significance of India’s most well-known symbols: the national flag, the national anthem, the motto Satyamev Jayate, the Ashoka Lions, and the Preamble of the Constitution.

In conversation with political scientist Professor Suhas Palshikar, Krishna said, “Why symbols at all? Obviously when you write something you don’t ask that question, you just jump into it… At the very basic level what I do, which is music, is symbolic. What art is, is symbolism. When I sing a raag, it is an abstract idea. It doesn’t represent anything literal. It doesn’t say chair, table, anything… I think coming from the world of music, symbolism is something that you kind of take for granted… So I think that’s where this interest began.”

Before the event, Krishna told The Indian Express that “every symbol is powerful on its own, some of them you notice more than the other but they always exist”. He explained, “Satyamev Jayate is seen so often. We may not notice it. The Ashoka Capital is present on so many bridges. We name streets after Ashoka. Similarly, the Preamble of our Constitution has turned into a powerful message of unity and dignity that, even during the CAA protest, they were read out.”

“The flag, of course, is a very important symbol and I always say it’s not a tiranga, it’s a chaturanga, four colours. In my interpretation, the colour blue in the flag represents the strength of the Dalit community, the spirit of civil disobedience, the fight of the marginalised. It is an assertion of our right to protest and dissent. As we know blue really came to the fore with the Dalit parties and organisations and with Ambedkar. It represents the voice of the people. It is the chakra in blue that ensures that there is justice in our society and policy,” added Krishna.

Also delving into the recent controversy on the full version of Vande Matram, Krishna said, “I think Jana Gana Mana is one of the most profoundly beautiful songs that Rabindranath Tagore ever wrote. There can’t be any other song as our national anthem other than this one. Regarding Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana and the controversy that keeps erupting, I want to say that when certain verses of Vande Mataram were chosen not to be sung, it was done with great thought, understanding and realisation that those verses were problematic when rendered by people of various faiths.”

Outlining what was unique about Krishna writing this book, Palshikar said, “In the field of music, and art generally, it is very rare for artistes to take positions on controversial socio-political matters. Not only in the case of Carnatic sangeet, but elsewhere also. It is rarer still for artistes to systematically put down their art and the science behind their art, which Krishna has already done in the case of Southern music. But it is most rare that artistes sort of gatecrash our area, the area of the professional academicians, and start writing systematically about history, philosophy, politics, and such like. This book is of that genre.”

Soham Shah

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
India
pune

Loading Recommendations...

Mar 07: Latest News

Live Blog