by M.K.Sudarshan August 10, 2026: Chennai, India In a sentence:This piece offers a counterpoint to the argument that “cinema kept Carnatic music alive” by showing how Carnatic music—through its raga grammar, tala sophistication, and kriti structure (Pallavi–Anupallavi–Charanam)—has kept Indian film music musically alive, emotionally rich, and culturally grounded. In three points:Film melodies and background scoresContinue reading “How Carnatic Music Keeps Cinema Music Alive”
Tag Archives: Carnatic Music
“Sri.Tyagaraja, the Kutcheri World, and Nadopasana”: Thyagaraja Cultural Trust commemorates the Centenary of its past Chairman Sri. M. Krishnaswami
by M.K.Sudarshan August 4, 2026: Chennai, India Did Tyagaraja ever imagine, in his own lifetime, that his compositions would one day become the staple fare of a vast Carnatic music kutcheri circuit, sustained by sabhas, sponsors, reputations, and an entire performing ecosystem? Probably not in any literal sense. He was not writing for a concertContinue reading ““Sri.Tyagaraja, the Kutcheri World, and Nadopasana”: Thyagaraja Cultural Trust commemorates the Centenary of its past Chairman Sri. M. Krishnaswami”
The Debt (“Rishi Rnam”) of ‘noblesse oblige’ owed to Saint Thyagaraja by the Carnatic Music world
Today a reflective morning mood prompted me to think up and ask three pointed questions to the Perplexity AI engine. The three questions and the Answers obtained are given below in seriatum. Question No. 1 Saint Thyagaraja composed more than a thousand “kritis” out of intense Bhakthi. He was not a musician nor was CarnaticContinue reading “The Debt (“Rishi Rnam”) of ‘noblesse oblige’ owed to Saint Thyagaraja by the Carnatic Music world”
At the Madras Music Academy yesterday, A.R.Rahman’s sickening hypocrisy.
He was careful not to displease either the “traditionalist” reactionaries of Mylapore or the eminent revolutionaries of the Carnatic Music world who were seated beside him on stage. So in one breath A R Rahman spoke from both sides of his mouth … and with the forked tongue within. If you read his quoted wordsContinue reading “At the Madras Music Academy yesterday, A.R.Rahman’s sickening hypocrisy.”
Reading “Tiger” Varadachari’s brief history lesson fills me with grim foreboding for the future of Carnatic Music
For me reading the above account of the great Sri “Tiger” Varadachari (one of the gurus of my mother Smt Mani Krishnaswami) was like virtually being taken on a fast-track tour of the brief history of the Carnatic music world . What struck me most forcefully from “Tiger’s” reminiscences was that in those days itContinue reading “Reading “Tiger” Varadachari’s brief history lesson fills me with grim foreboding for the future of Carnatic Music”
The price of hubris, finally, has to be “biting the dust”
They’ve all been now made to bite the dust … Madras Music Academy, The Hindu Group and T M Krishna. Sheer hubris has brought TMK to this sorry plight … I have nothing but sympathy for him now in his hour of reckoning. The MAA and THG are institutions … they will survive somehow stillContinue reading “The price of hubris, finally, has to be “biting the dust””
A mobilising of conservatives: TM Krishna’s troubles echo a Tamil short story from 1967
A mobilising of conservatives: TM Krishna’s troubles echo a Tamil short story from 1967http://dhunt.in/XQa4Q (The News Minute 2 December 2024) This Op-Ed piece is complete nonsense . No one in the Brahmin community of Carnatic music rasikas has ever disdained T M Krishna’s so-called “progressive liberal” efforts to take Carnatic music to the masses inContinue reading “A mobilising of conservatives: TM Krishna’s troubles echo a Tamil short story from 1967”
A cultural maelstrom in a teacup called the Madras Music Academy caused by T M Krishna?
(DISCLAIMER : at the outset , let me say clearly that I am aware that the subject matter of this blog is presently “sub-judice” in the Madras High Court. It is not my intention at all to make any sort of comment whatsoever on what the Honourable Court is seized of . The focus ofContinue reading “A cultural maelstrom in a teacup called the Madras Music Academy caused by T M Krishna?”
THE ENTRY OF TROJAN HORSES INTO THE MADRAS MUSIC ACADEMY (MMA)
No one denies the hoary origins and status of these dance and music forms … Even “oppari” and “gaana” music are folk art indeed. The question here is not however about their origin or cultural credentials . The MMA is an institution that was conceived and incepted in the first place to promote, preserve andContinue reading “THE ENTRY OF TROJAN HORSES INTO THE MADRAS MUSIC ACADEMY (MMA)”
T.M.Krishna is both Che Guevara and Donald Trump of the Carnatic Music World
https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/why-one-cannot-ignore-tm-krishnas-musical-explorations/article68432254.ece/amp/ After reading the above piece published in The Hindu today, I ask myself if anyone is really standing in his way if TM Krishna, the musician, goes ahead and teaches “a whole generation how to unshackle art from orthodoxy” … Who is really denying him his right to to do whatever he wishes toContinue reading “T.M.Krishna is both Che Guevara and Donald Trump of the Carnatic Music World”