In interim order, SC directs T.M. Krishna to be not recognised as recipient of M.S. Subbulakshmi award

Supreme Court interim order directs Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna not to be recognized for prestigious award.

The Supreme Court on Monday (December 16, 2024), in an interim order, directed that Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna “should not be recognised” as a recipient of the The Hindu Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award.

A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti, hearing a petition filed by Bengaluru resident V. Shrinivasan, who claimed to be a grandson of the late legendary singer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, restrained Mr. Krishna “from projecting himself as a recipient of this award”.

The top court’s order came a day after Mr. Krishna was conferred the award instituted by The Hindu and awarded by the Music Academy at the inauguration of its 98th annual Conference and Concerts in Chennai.

“It must be clear that the Music Academy has a glorious legacy. Their contribution in the world of music is universally recognised. The same is also the reputation of The Hindu Group. The interim order should not be seen as a reflection on either the Music Academy or The Hindu or a comment on the singing ability of T.M. Krishna,” Justice Roy dictated in the order.

Mr. Shrinivasan, represented by Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman, who was acting in his private capacity as a lawyer, has alleged that Mr. Krishna had made “nauseating” and “misogynistic” comments about the Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna honoured singer who had passed away in December 2004.

The petitioner argued that a person who had “insulted” the singer should not get an award conferred in her name.

“Somebody made bad comments about Bapu Mahatma Gandhi… will it not offend constitutional values to confer an award in his name to that person? This individual makes a comment against the Bharat Ratna awardee that she is the ‘greatest hoax’...” Mr. Venkataraman submitted.