Speaker
T.M. Krishna
Karnatik Musician | Author | Cultural Activist
T.M. Krishna is one of India’s most renowned Karnatik musicians, known for his uncompromising artistry and socially conscious approach to classical music. Trained under B. Seetharama Sarma, Chengalpet Ranganathan, and Semmangudi Srinivasier, he upholds the rich traditions of Karnatik music while redefining its boundaries with stunning individuality and deep artistic intensity.
As a public intellectual and author, Krishna engages with issues of culture, caste, and social justice. His groundbreaking book, A Southern Music – The Karnatik Story (2013), won the Tata Literature Award for Best First Non-Fiction Book, while Sebastian and Sons (2020) received the Tata Lit Live Award for Best Non-Fiction Book. His musical innovations include collaborations with transgender musicians (Jogappas), Tamil poet Perumal Murugan, and the Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha.
For his commitment to using art as a force for social change, Krishna was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2016), the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (2017), and the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram (2019), among others.
Sessions
Day 2 - 15th March, Saturday @ The Nilgiri Library Outdoor
05:00 PM – 06:00 PM
T.M. Krishna explores the intersections of music, equality, and society, discussing how music can break barriers, foster inclusivity, and redefine cultural narratives.”