Madras HC restrains grant of Music Academy award in MS Subbulakshmi’s name to TM Krishna

Tue Nov 19 08:54:08 UTC 2024: **Madras High Court Bans Use of MS Subbulakshmi’s Name for Music Award**

CHENNAI, INDIA – The Madras High Court has ruled against The Hindu newspaper group’s use of the late Carnatic music legend M.S. Subbulakshmi’s name for its annual music award. The court sided with Subbulakshmi’s grandson, Shrinivasan, who argued that the “Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award” violated his grandmother’s last will and testament, which explicitly forbade the creation of any trusts, foundations, or memorials in her name.

While the court allowed this year’s award to be given to Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna, it stipulated that the award must be conferred without using Subbulakshmi’s name. Justice G. Jayachandran stated that continuing the award under her name would disrespect her wishes.

Shrinivasan’s petition also cited Krishna’s past criticisms of Subbulakshmi as a reason to bar the award, referencing articles and speeches by Krishna. Krishna denied any intention to belittle Subbulakshmi, claiming his remarks were misinterpreted. The court, however, focused primarily on the violation of Subbulakshmi’s will, not Krishna’s comments. A petition filed by the Chennai Music Academy, which confers the Sangita Kalanidhi award, to dismiss Shrinivasan’s plea was also rejected by the court. The court deemed Shrinivasan, as a beneficiary of the will, to have the right to file the petition. The ruling effectively ends the use of Subbulakshmi’s name for The Hindu’s annual award.