Audience response and participation drown rancour against T.M. Krishna

The success of the Music Academy's December season was highlighted by audience participation and T.M. Krishna's impactful performances.

The tremendous response and participation of the audience in the music concerts and morning conferences contributed to the success of the December music season of the Music Academy and drowned the discordant notes and the rancour against vocalist T.M. Krishna, the recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi award.

“There has been needless external noise and toxicity, particularly on social media over several months leading up to the festival. Notwithstanding all this, the festival went off smoothly and was a big success. Ultimately, music as a force for good has prevailed and prevailed emphatically,” said N. Murali, the president of the Academy during his address to the Sadas of the Academy.

The audience’s enthusiastic participation in the inauguration of the festival, the overwhelming presence of rasikas for the Christmas morning concert by Mr. Krishna and a similar response for the Sadas proved that good music matters. Mr. Krishna, who came back to the sabha music season after a decade, said his participation in the season as the Sangita Kalanidhi-designate was special. “Presiding over the 98th Annual Conference of the Music Academy was an intellectually invigorating experience. I had the pleasure of curating this year’s conference and it would not be wrong to say that this year’s conference stood out for the very high standards it set in terms of the quality and rigour in the presentations and lectures,” he said.

Mr. Krishna, the winner of the Magsaysay award and author of books on music and society, said the discussions and debates that followed every lecture in the morning were serious, robust and revelatory. He said he also made it a point to listen to as many concerts as possible, especially concerts of young musicians, and this was deeply fulfilling.

“The publication of abstracts of every lecture in advance contributed to the seriousness of the conference. It was also heartening to see so many young musicians, students and listeners actively participate in the proceedings. The number of people from across the world who have been watching the uploaded recordings of lectures on YouTube is testament to the impact it is having on Carnatic music connoisseurs,” he said.

“To receive the Sangita Kalanidhi award on January 1 and to receive the love and affection that has been pouring in from so many people from different walks of life is overwhelming,” he added.

Mr. Krishna’s enthusiasm was shared by noted Indologist David Shulman. He said he and his wife arrived only in the last few days of the festival, but it was clear from the programme that the Markazhi Festival was unique in the world. “The richness and standards of excellence are utterly amazing. Carnatic music is flourishing today as never before, also expanding its range and horizon while remaining true to its long classical tradition.” He added,  “Just look at the long line of awardees, mostly young and highly gifted musicians who performed over these days. Look at the passionate audiences who attended the performances for many hours. Look at the connoisseurs who know every note and every text.”