Award For TMK, Not EVR: Singer Chinmayi Responds To Renowned Carnatic Vocalists Ranjani, Gayatri

After world-renowned Carnatic vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri challenged her support to T M Krishna, singer Chinmayi Sripaada has defended her move.

In a post on X, Ranjani and Gayatri, also known as the Vidushi sisters, have questioned Chinmayi, over support to Krishna, who had glorified EV Ramasamy (EVR).

"EVR’s call for Brahmins to be killed and abusing all Brahmin women as prostitutes. Does this qualify as “Respect for women”? Does such filthy language on women fall under #metoo abuse? Do you support glorification of this figure?," the Vidushi sisters wrote in a post on X on Saturday (23 March).

This came after the Vidushi sisters had announced their withdrawal from participating in the Music Academy’s conference 2024 as it will be presided over by T M Krishna, whom the academy decided to award 'Sangita Kalanidhi' award this year.

They accused T M Krishna of causing "immense damage to the Carnatic music world" and "willfully and happily" stomping over the sentiments of the music community.

Accusing T M Krishna of vilifying the Carnatic music fraternity, they said, "It is dangerous to overlook Mr T M Krishna’s glorification of a figure like EVR."

In her response to the sisters, Chinmayi on Saturday (23 March) claimed that the focus should be on T M Krishna receiving the Sangita Kalanidhi, not EVR.

Chinmayi further said that EVR's views or actions are not relevant to this discussion as he is not receiving the award; T M Krishna is.

She argued that "personal dislike" of T M Krishna's beliefs should not be the basis for denying him the award.

"However, if character / personal ideology is a precondition to perform Carnatic Music or to receive an award - multiple musicians with abhorrent personal ethics, morals, are/have been extraordinary misogynists, child sex offenders - I am sure as Lady Carnatic musicians, you are well aware how the system speaks of women, the misogyny Female Vidushis have faced - ill-treating of Pakka Vadyam Vidwans, alcohol abuse, womanizers, child sex offenders, ruining Sishyas' careers because the Guru is envious; subcaste specific cuss words and chastising the other's art based on those identities - They have continued with much celebrity in the same circles," Chinmay said in response to Vidushi sisters' post on X.

She added that legendary Carnatic singer M S Subbulakshmi was banned from performing when she took a stand to perform Tamil compositions - because the community then would not accept the singing of non-Telugu compositions in Carnatic Music.

"You both [Vidushi sisters] sing Abhangas - Sant Tukaram, and many other poets have actively used Abhangs as a means to question social injustice, casteism and oppression. Most brahmins if not all, have opposed Sant Tukaram, who has just vanished. Nobody knows for sure, how he died," she said.

Chinmayi further said that C Rajagopalachari, the last governor general of India, and EVR were personal friends but political foes.

She also raised question on the Vidushi sisters' assertion about Periyar in their post.

"Rajaji would have definitely condemned on record, if Periyar had said any of what you claim he did. MS Amma [M S Subbulakshmi] wouldn't have sung Rajaji's compositions either, if Periyar had said what you say he has, and Rajaji didnt condemn," she said.

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