Art must flow among diverse people: Krishna

“This recognition gives me the strength to continue in my journey of discovery,” eminent Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna said, reacting to the announcement he has won the prestigious Magsaysay Award, often known as the Nobel Prize of Asia.

In an e-mail interview to Deccan Chronicle from a small village from the base of Mount Elbrus in Russia, where he has gone on a mountain expedition, Krishna says art must flow among diverse people as only then does art gets enriched by the diversity in creative impulses.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q How did you react to the Magsaysay news? Who told you first? What was your family’s reaction? Did you speak to your wife?
TMK: I was informed a few weeks ago but it has not sunk in as yet. After the announcement, I have spoken to my wife and family. All of us feel very humbled.

Q Could you please say something about your trip to Russia? You said you are on a mountaineering expedition? Do you normally go on such ‘wild’ trips?
TMK: I love to trek and climb. I do try and go once a year on a mountaineering trip. Now I am on one such expedition, of Elbrus in Russia. We summited Elbrus yesterday (Tuesday) morning and I am responding to your questions from a small village - Azau - from the base of Mount Elbrus.

Q You were hailed as a genius in Carnatic music even at a very young age. What made you to decide to ‘rebel’ against the Sabha-dominated ‘system’ prevailing all these years, and to which the past-giants bowed their heads and carried on uncomplaining? Were you not scared, apprehensive that the ‘system’ will not only reject you but also seek to destroy your career?
TMK: The experience that music gifted me made me ask these questions. And all the questions are as much about myself as they are about all that is around me. And they come from the recognition that I am part of the problem. I don’t get frightened that easily, but I must be honest and say that there were days when my wife and I have discussed the possibility that I may not have an audience in a few years!

Q The ‘system’ defined everything — how you must come dressed for the kutcheri, what you must sing and must not, etc — and ensured that it catered only to a particular community and even when the ‘outsiders’ were allowed to within the ‘influential inner circuit’, they belonged to the upper crest of the society. In your perception as a young performer and reformist, why and how did this happen?
TMK: I think this happens when any art form is performed, supported and appreciated by one community or one -kind of people. This is true of most art forms and not just Carnatic music. We need to break this. Art must flow among diverse people; then art itself is enriched by the diversity in creative impulses.

Q Did the ‘system’ protect Carnatic music or did it hurt its growth by keeping away the majority of people from a popular-public performing art form?
TMK: Let us not forget that there has been and there is a lot of great Carnatic music. At the same time, the system has definitely limited its access to ‘others’. But I don’t think Carnatic music as a form that is ever going to be a popular art form compared to rock-n-roll or film music. But that is not the intention of cultural diversity in art; we need diverse people to converse through the medium of art, numerical value is not as important.

Q You have undertaken some path-breaking initiatives to deliver upon your promise: ‘music for all and music for the well-being of body, mind, soul and society’; such as the Urur-Olcott Kuppam festival. Do you think these initiatives will help chopping off the age-old barriers and make Carnatic music more accessible, open?
TMK: I do hope they do, we need to be patient.  But even if I have begun a conversation, I think that itself is an important first step. People must unite through music and that should happen. When music flourishes, economic activity also flourishes in the area. One religion or one caste or one community is claiming every art form; this has to be broken. Music is for all.

Q How is Magsaysay going to impact your mission?
TMK: This recognition gives me the strength to continue in my journey of discovery. This is an overwhelming moment, also a humbling moment. I think this is the moment to reassess my work – the achievements, the blunders that I have committed during my career. This is also the time to consider how to take my work forward. When I think of the names that have been awarded this prize earlier, I am scared. I have new responsibilities now and I will try my best to fulfill them. I need to do a lot. It is a very joyous occasion to cherish since my work has been recognised and awarded.