KOCHI: Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna has decried the pulling down of statues of communist icon Lenin in Tripura and social reformer Periyar in Tamil Nadu. Describing dismantling of the statues as one of the worst expressions of vandalism, the musician said statues and sculptures were also works of art and even people with political differences should respect creative freedom and artistic expression. "The people involved in vandalizing art are also vandalizing democracy," he said.
He was taking part in a session on artists and society with music composer Bijibal at the International Festival of Books and Authors in Kochi on Thursday. "The statues of Lenin or Periyar are works of art. The sculpture represents artist's idea of Lenin or Periyar and what is being attacked is the artistic mind and creativity", he said. In a session lasting for nearly an hour, Mr Krishna spoke elaborately on the linkages between creative expression and democratic practices. Speaking against the attempts to create an ideal world of art as futile, Mr Krishna said there was nothing ideal about art.
"Art is ugly", he said, and added that "art is also political". "Like everything else, Carnatic music is having politics because the Carnatic musician is also an individual living in a society. All that exists around is the continuation of many things from the past. Nothing has fallen from the sky suddenly", he said. Mr Krishna also said that although there was no direct correlation between art and democracy the two had some common features. As in the case of art, democracy was not a perfect creation and it always evolved through practice. According to Mr Krishna, democracy was not a natural instinct for human beings as they were basically wired for domination and imposition of power.
"Democracy is possible only through a conscious effort and the underlying ideology of democracy is that all human beings are equal. Fight for democracy is a battle that never ends," he said. "The world of art and democracy cannot flourish in an atmosphere of fear", he added. Stressing the collective responsibility of human beings for whatever was happening in society, he said the artist needed to remain vigilant on what was happening in society. On deviating from traditional ragas during concerts, he said at times he felt like continuing singing certain ragas.
