In an odd decision taken by the Madras High Court on November 19, Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna will be awarded the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi, but not in MS Subbulakshmi’s name. The decision comes after V Srinivasan, Subbulakshmi’s grandson, opposed the conferment of the award as, according to him, Krishna had made scandalous remarks about his grandmother. While Justice G Jayachandran’s verdict blocks the award in Subbulakshmi’s name, because it would violate Subbulakshmi’s will according to which she did not want any memorial, foundation or statue in her name, it also says that Krishna’s opinion “whether good, bad or ugly will not disqualify him from getting the title Sangita Kalanidhi”.
Will all the future Sangita Kalanidhi awards also not carry Subbulaksmi’s name? Or will it depend on Srinivasan’s discretion? Would other awards and fellowships in her name continue? If the court wants the singer’s will and wishes to be respected, shouldn’t it then also consider taking down Subbulakshmi’s famed bronze statue installed at RTC Cross Road Junction in Tirumala Tirupati? Taking away Subbulakshmi’s name from the Sangita Kalanidhi just because it’s being given to Krishna is as distasteful as taking down the statue.
