Madras Music Academy drops 7 artists over #MeToo allegations

CHENNAI: In the light of allegations of sexual abuse levelled against senior members of the Carnatic music fraternity under the #MeToo campaign, premier music institution and performance space Madras Music Academy on Thursday announced its decision to drop seven artists from its December season list this year.


The debarred musicians, N Ravikiran, OS Thyagarajan, Mannargudi A Easwaran, Srimushnam V Raja Rao, Nagai Sriram, R Ramesh and Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan, have been prominent regulars during the Margazhi music season over the years. Chitravina player Ravikiran, 51, was the recipient of the Music Academy’s coveted Sangeetha Kalanidhi title last year.

“The #MeToo storm has been blowing across the Carnatic music world for the last few weeks and we cannot be oblivious to it. For the first time, survivors have gained the voice to articulate the trauma that they have undergone over the years. We have made this decision to show solidarity with the women allegedly harassed, and also to uphold our credibility as an institution,” said academy president N Murali.

‘Small percentage of people misusing #MeToo movement’

He emphasised while these were allegations and the academy wasn’t judging the seven musicians guilty, “unbiased people in the field” had been consulted on the artists before drawing up the list. “We’ve looked at detailed incidents of serious nature that have come to light about these artists before making this decision. We have the right to feature any musician or not in the December festival, and we have exercised that right. This is not legal action,” said Murali.

Ravikiran, who is now overseas, denied the allegations and said that he had already suspended his concerts for the season until the air was cleared. “I had already announced on social media more than a week back that I would not be doing concerts until things are cleared. #MeToo is a noble idea, but a small percentage of people have been misusing it by portraying certain twisted truths and nonfacts. I’ve never been a walking danger to society, I’ve never abused my power as a guru. I have trained numerous performing artists and their careers are there for everyone to see,” he said.

Murali, however, maintained that the musician had not informed the academy of his decision to suspend his concerts until the issue came up on Thursday.

Mridangist Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan, 58, called the academy’s decision “unjust”. “I have been accompanying famous Carnatic singers who have spoken up for me after I was unjustly accused of harassment,” he said. He said that since he had no proof of who has accused him, he can’t take legal recourse, but is consulting a lawyer on future course of action. “These anonymous allegations are ruining my life. I don’t have female students,” said the musician who was among the Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees of 2017.

Mridangist Mannargudi Easwaran, 71, said he prefers not to comment on the issue.