Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani on Friday issued a statement condemning the attack on singer T.M. Krishna, the Sangita Kalanidhi designate for 2024. He also went on to congratulate the Madras Music Academy for their choice of awardee and for sticking to their stand to award him despite much opposition.
In their objection to Mr. Krishna, the Carnatic vocalist duo Ranjani and Gayathri mentioned that Periyar promoted genocide. While they may have disagreed with the choice for the award, there was no need to drag Periyar’s name into the controversy, Mr. Veeramani said in the statement.
He said in the statement: “Periyar was a humanist and a feminist and fought for the rights of the people, equality, and social justice. His ideology also gave him universal appeal. Even 50 years after his demise, his principles and struggles still have traction. Despite leading huge social protests he did not indulge in violence at any point, rather conducting his protests in peace. It was slanderous to make the charge that such a man promoted genocide.”
Recalling Periyar’s quote verbatim from a lecture he delivered in front of a Brahmin association audience at Royapettah in 1953, Mr.Veeramani said: “Neither the role nor the intention of the Dravidar Kazhagam is to remove Brahmins from this country. All that we want to say is allow us also to live a little. We want to be treated on a par with you in this country,” and added that Periyar held closely to these ideas until his death.
“Mr. Krishna stands on his own platform and uses his talent and skills to take Carnatic music to the people in collaboration with many artists. This might be the reason for the outpouring of protest against Mr. Krishna. It is not important where T.M. Krishna was born, but what is important is what he stands for. We should lend a helping hand to whoever lends their voice for equality.” Mr. Veeramani stated.
Courtesy: ‘The Hindu’
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