'Please Lead By Example': Ranjani, Gayatri Rebut Music Academy Letter Attacking Them, Call For More Inclusivity In Executive Committee

The Vidushi sisters comprising of esteemed Carnatic vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri have presented their rejoinder to a previous letter from Madras Music Academy attacking their decision to withdraw from participating in the Academy's conference.

This decision was taken to protest against the Academy's bestowal of the Sangita Kalanidhi award on controversial Carnatic singer T M Krishna.

In a sharply worded riposte addressed to the Academy President Murali, the Vidushi sisters stated, "We’d like to clarify that our letter to you was only a notification of our withdrawal without any request for your decisions or actions. We did not post the letter on social media but merely informed our fans on the same subject."

It further stated, "Now we realise, this didn't help you manage the optics and we are sorry about it. Did we question your prerogative to award anyone? No. Did we exercise our prerogative to withdraw? Yes. Did we refuse to be implicit apologists for genocide mongers and filthy discourse? Yes."

The letter also called out Academy's statements attacking the singer duo as 'immoral' and 'dishonest'.

Also read - Here Are The Renowned Carnatic Musicians Opposing Madras Music Academy Award To T M Krishna

They further stated, "It will be the happiest day for us and for millions of people to see star performers emerge from underprivileged communities and dominate this stage. We want to see the day when the TTK auditorium is filled up with a diverse inclusive crowd from all communities and religious minorities."

The letter continues, "This transformation should begin at the top. Kindly start with the entrenched Executive Committee consisting of only Brahmins and royalty you have been heading for two decades. Unlike serious hard work and the long journey it takes for artists to excel, this transformation is achievable instantly with a simple resolution and a bunch of resignations."

It concludes by stating, "Please consider leading by example, lest the world call it mere lip service and start branding you as a 'bigoted, casteist coterie'."

Also read - T M Krishna Award Row: Madras Music Academy Called Out For Letter Attacking Ranjani, Gayatri For Withdrawing