CHENNAI: Vocalist duo Ranjani and Gayatri, on Monday, turned advocates for inclusivity within the Music Academy administration and suggested changes in its ‘entrenched Executive Committee consisting of only Brahmins and royalty.’
In an official release, the duo responded to a statement from the academy’s chairman N Murali regarding the ongoing row over the Sangitha Kalanidhi award given to singer TM Krishna, the duo said that transformation was ‘achievable instantly with a simple resolution and a bunch of resignations’.
Pointing out that Murali has been heading the academy for two decades, the duo said he should consider ‘leading by example, lest the world call it mere lip service’, suggesting that he should resign.
The singers said they would like to see star performers emerge from underprivileged communities and dominate the stage at the Music Academy in the presence of a diverse crowd from all communities and religious minorities filling up the auditorium.
While accusing chairman Murali of constructing a convenient narrative and casting aspersions on them, they also criticised veteran journalist N Ram as well. They said that while they were initially a bit surprised as to why his response read as a ‘release on behalf of the awardee’, it became obvious to them when Ram ‘joined as an undeclared spokesperson, with his campaign branding us a bigoted, casteist coterie’.
