Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 26/01/2024: Lit for Life 2024: Exploring the Song in Sangam Poetry: T.M. Krishna at The Hindu Lit for Life Festival 2024 (The Hindu Pavilion) held at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chennai on Friday. Photo: B.Jothi Ramalingam/The Hindu | Photo Credit: Jyoti Ramalingam B

The Madras High Court on Tuesday (November 19, 2024) cleared the way for Carnatic singer TM Krishna to be given the prestigious ‘Sangeeta Kalanidhi’ award by the Music Academy along with another Darpan award instituted along the way. The Hindu In 2005, he was given a cash prize of ₹1 lakh on January 1, 2025.

However, Justice G. Jayachandran ordered that the Darpan Award, which carries a cash prize, should not be named after acclaimed classical musician MS Subbulakshmi as he had executed a will in 1997 expressing his wish that no trust, foundation, memorial, statue or bust Will be made. Should be established in his name or memory.

The orders were passed following a civil suit filed by Bengaluru-based V. Srinivasan, who claimed to be Subbulakshmi’s grandson. The plaintiff had opposed the award of the Mirror Award to Sri Krishna primarily on the grounds that Krishna had made highly critical remarks against him.

However, while pronouncing his order on the petition granting interim injunction, Justice Jayachandran said, when it comes to awarding Sangeetha Kalanidhi awards or awarding cash awards without using them, any comments made by Sri Krishna against Subbulakshmi do not matter. Will not keep. Name.

“His opinion about MS Subbulakshmi, whether good, bad or ugly, will not disqualify him from receiving the title of Sangeetha Kalanidhi. It is the prerogative of the Executive Committee of the Music Academy to confer this title. It is for them to decide suitability and not for the plaintiff,” the judge said.

He further said: “If The Hindu Sangeeta of the year wants to honor Kalanidhi with a cash award, it cannot be stopped also because Sri Krishna had made some unpleasant comments about MS Subbulakshmi in the past.

On the other hand, accepting the plaintiff’s other argument regarding the contents of the will executed by his grandmother before her death in 2004; The judge said naming the Mirror Award, which carries a cash prize, after him would be against the late musician’s wishes.

“Violation of the will of a deceased person cannot be entertained or permitted by the court, that too under the guise of commemoration or respect… The court cannot neglect its responsibility to ensure the implementation of the wishes and orders of the deceased person. Can,” Justice Jayachandran said.

Noting that the terms of the will have to be understood sitting in the testator’s chair, the judge said: ‘Some may also think that to cherish the memory of MS Subbulakshmi, awards should be instituted and laws made commensurate with her contribution. Should go. For Carnatic music. Even if the whole world wants to do so, the will and order of MS Subbulakshmi should prevail over it because the testator has the right to issue such a prohibitory order and such an order is binding on all.

The judge also wrote: “The best way to honor a departed soul is to respect his or her wishes and not to disrespect them. In fact, if anyone who really has any reverence and respect for MS Subbulakshmi, after following her wishes and orders, he should not continue giving awards in her name. Similarly, if one truly and sincerely respects the feelings and wishes of the departed soul, one should not receive a reward established against its wishes and orders.

Holding that the plaintiff had standing to file the present suit and that the balance of convenience was also in his favour, the judge also stayed the music academy. The Hindu From giving cash awards with the title ‘Sangeetha Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award’ to settlement of civil suits.

“It is clarified that this order will not prevent or refuse the Music Academy from conferring the Sangeet Kalanidhi title for the year 2024 on TM Krishna. The Hindu By distributing a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for Sri Krishna without using the name of MS Subbulakshmi in any form. In other words, the decision of the Music Academy to honor Shri Krishna with the Sangeet Kalanidhi or to award him a cash award of ₹1 lakh in recognition of his achievements in the field of Carnatic music is not stayed,” the judge concluded. .

Although the Sangeet Academy has been awarding Sangeet Kalanidhi, which includes a gold medal and Birudu Patra (a citation) for many decades, The Hindu In 2005 another award named ‘Sangeetha Kalanidhi MS Subbulakshmi Award’ along with a cash prize was instituted, given to the same person who is selected for the Sangeetha Kalanidhi every year.

Music Academy also The Hindu The plea before the High Court was that several awards had been instituted in the name of MS Subbulakshmi by various institutions, including Tamil Nadu Eyal Christian Drama Manaram, but the plaintiff had chosen to selectively challenge only one such award.