The right note: Carnatic music is not only for Hindus
Carnatic musicians in Chennai are the latest victims of vicious trolls, vile threats and comments on social media. Over the past two weeks, right-wing crusaders have accused singers of communalising the Carnatic art form. Hindu singers have come under attack for singing Christian Carnatic hymns and for participating in musical events organised by churches.
The hue and cry over the issue started when a poster of singer OS Arun's reported participation in a concert titled “Yesuvin Sangama Sangeetham”, a Christian musical event, came to light.
Arun was labelled a “traitor of Hinduism” and threatened by self-styled ‘rasikas’ who call themselves 'connoisseurs' of carnatic music.
There was a barrage of offensive tweets and distasteful remarks on Arun’s facebook page. The singer was forced to pull out of the concert after he came under attack from S Ramanathan, the founder of the Rashtriya Sanathana Seva Sangam. Due to the severe backlash, Arun even had to deactivate his Twitter account.
While singers’ renditions of devotional songs in religions apart from Hinduism have always been in vogue in traditional Carnatic music, the right-wing fringe groups have suddenly woken up to the phenomenon.
The fringe groups went so far now to pull out old songs and videos by singers who have sung Christian Carnatic hymns.
As a result, singers like Nithyasree Mahadevan, TM Krishna, Aruna Sairam and Srinivas were are at the receiving end of a vicious hate campaign on social media. Following the onslaught on social media, singers were forced to give an explanation.
Singer Aruna Sairam wrote on twitter, “Dear Rasikas, Some rumours are doing the rounds on social media that I have modified traditional Carnatic krithis and sung the same for evangelical purposes. I would like to clarify that I would I never tamper with classical content either for personal or commercial gains”
Dear RasikasSome rumours are doing the rounds on social media that I have modified traditional Carnatic kirtis and sung the same for evangelical purposes. I would like to clarify that I would I never tamper with classical content either for personal or commercial gains
— Aruna Sairam (@arunasays) August 8, 2018
Meanwhile, in a statement, singer Nithyashree dispelled notions of tampering with traditional Carnatic krithis. Her Facebook post read, “I am extremely pained to read the accusations against me that have gone viral. I sang the song on Jesus only because I was happy to be an instrument to bolster communal peace and harmony. I apologize for inadvertently hurting your sentiments, if any.”
Acclaimed Singer Srinivas on his Facebook page said, “My Christian devotional songs are getting famous now. I am happy that people are listening to me”.
However, singer TM Krishna remained defiant and announced that he would release a composition every month on Allah or Jesus. Krishna argued that the influence of the BJP and RSS had seeped into the world of Carnatic music as well.
Considering the vile comments and threats issued by many on social media regarding Karnatik compositions on Jesus, I announce here that I will be releasing one karnatik song every month on Jesus or Allah. T.M. Krishna #art #religion #jesus #allah #communalism #freedom #music
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) August 9, 2018
“This comes from a right-wing hate campaign who believe that Carnatic music is a fiefdom of upper caste Hindus. This is absolutely wrong for art and the artist. Carnatic music is not a Hindu music it’s a music that grew within Hindu culture” he said.
Krishna further opines that there has been a tradition of having compositions on Allah and Jesus for over a hundred years and it is time those are brought to the forefront at the concert stage. He alluded that singers are to be blamed for the present situation, for propagating Carnatic music as having an upper caste Hindu identity.
“This is an inflection point for musicians. Carnatic world has to ponder over the issue. Musicians need to take a firm stand and responsibility on the art form. You should either say you are doing for money which is a professional reason or you truly believe that Carnatic music is not only for Hindus”, he argues.
In 2017, when Krishna performed an ensemble at a famous church in Colaba, Mumbai, he broke barriers to make music inclusive and socially driven.
Through his music, Krishna brought different religions and cultural identities to a single platform, to celebrate oneness in a multi-religious society.