CHENNAI: Apart from his innovative ways of taking carnatic music across the board, TM Krishna also became the first musician to sing in “West Jerusalem” and “Israeli- Occupied East Jerusalem” (that’s how he refers to them) in January 2017. He took a master-class in Indian classical music at the Academy of Science and Humanities to an audience made up of mainly Palestinian students. “Music was our language to communicate but there were walls everywhere between those two parts of Jerusalem,” says TMK, over a cup of green tea. The Poromboke song and his recent ‘Kutcheri on 29C’ — Chennai’s prominent bus route — has kept him in the news. “Earlier people used to think I’m just pulling off a publicity stunt but as time went by and after the Magsaysay award, those who engage with me realise that there’s something happening with this guy!” TMK is firm in his resolve not to separate his music with his ‘activism’ and has a sense of humour which is reassuring.
“My wife says I can be intimidating, but hey, am I?” he asks with a candour which makes this chat strike the right notes with the master musician, writer and ‘fearless voice’, which he puts to good use talking on pertinent social, economic and political issues when he’s not singing. There is a serious allegation that you talk more than you sing? Do you choose your issues or do these issues choose you? Difficult question actually! I don’t consciously notice or make agendas but I constantly pay attention to what’s happening around me. And for those who complain I talk more (laughs), well, I can only say I sing a lot — mainly in the socalled non-carnatic season months which happens to be 11 months a year! Sabha secretaries are not running away from me (laughs) and they can get a date within three minutes of their call. My calendar will prove how many concerts I do across cities.
I’ve never labelled myself as anything other than a musician. The way I present a carnatic concert happens to be different from the norm and it has evolved after years of contemplation. I love the musical buzz of the December Festival but no, I do not miss singing then. I’ve never looked for cheerleaders when I make a difficult decision and once I make a decision I don’t waste time regretting it. I always process the worst possible outcome first and when I’ve visualised that reality and tell myself ‘yes I can handle it’ I go full steam. You have earned so much admiration for your bold opinions and your musical prowess. What would you do if someone offered you a political post? I will first laugh — in fact scoff at the idea! Don’t take this as disrespect — I’m aware that I’m taken seriously by youngsters who follow my music as well. But I don’t wish to push the pedal in any ‘post’ direction. I’m happy if my music and ideas move you. Art is supposed to achieve just that — it moves you in ways you can’t explain and when that happens, you become vulnerable. We all carry a certain baggage and art helps you unburden yourself. It brings about great clarity and helps you get a perspective, a sense of beauty to what’s around you.
My music and my activism, as you wish to call it, is a continuum. Everything I do is because of my music. How much time do you spend with your music? Do you rehearse before a concert? Rehearse in the conventional term? No, I don’t. I don’t slog over my music. Once you cross the lines of technique you develop the skills required, and keep building on your repertoire. I don’t do saadhgam (practice) daily but I do have a process to prepare for a concert and silence is a big part of it. As the tambura is being tuned, the song(s) will keep playing in my head but that’s just about it and I sing in an abstract fashion. I’ve also thought ‘what if one day there is no audience for me?’ But I don’t have a plan-B for that situation (laughs). I recognise there is some magic in my music when people come and tell me so.
How do you to unwind? My music is my major unwinding machine! Other than that, I love to star-gaze from up in the mountains — I use a mobile phone only when I’m away mountain climbing. I don’t feel the need for it when I’m on level ground. I got the Magsaysay call when I was at the base camp of the highest mountain in Georgia (Russia) El Brus and you can really see the Milky Way when you’re up in the Himalayas. I love doing a free fall — I’ve jumped from the world’s highest point, glided across clouds, skydived... and I like to watch films. I don’t get scared easily so I indulge in these adventure sports; it also helps build my resolve. Your social media timeline points out your increasing ‘icon-status’. Did you have any inspiration or personal heroes you looked up to? TV Shankaranarayanan. In one season, I’ve attended all of his 23 concerts — he is my musical hero. Listening to his music is like experiencing the first bloom of spring.