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Reshaping Art
In Reshaping Art, T. M. Krishna examines what art is and how we can harness its power to make ourselves and our communities open and sensitive. Well known for his attempts to break Karnatik music out of its high-caste confines, the author takes us through a journey of understanding what art means to different groups of people and the ways in which we all create and enjoy it. He then asks important questions about how art is made, performed and disseminated, and addresses crucial issues of caste, class and gender within society while exploring the contours of democracy, culture and learning.
- GenresArtMusicNonfictionIndia
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2018
14 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
T.M. Krishna
7 books47 followersThodur Madabusi Krishna a.k.a T.M. Krishna is a Carnatic vocalist, writer, activist and author. Both of Krishna's parents had deep interest in the arts, especially Carnatic music. Krishna's parents ensured that he received exposure to the classical arts from a young age. They arranged for him to receive music lessons from a very young age. Krishna began his musical training under Bhagavathula Seetharama Sharma. He later underwent special Ragam Thanam Pallavi grooming under Chingleput Ranganathan.
Krishna's performing career began at the age of 12 with his debut concert at the Spirit of Youth series organized by the Music Academy, Chennai (India). He has since performed widely at various festivals and venues across the world, including the Madras Music Academy, National Centre for the Performing Arts (India), John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, to name a few.
His music is often appraised as being soulful and full of 'raga bhava'. Among his many renditions, some of the most popular among his listeners include 'Jambupathe' in Yamunakalyani and 'Manavinala' in Nalinakanthi. His music during the last decade was reputed for his powerful, deep voice and his ability to sing rapid swaras in many rare ragas. He now shows a focus on Neraval, an improvisational form which he believes has been distorted over the ages. He is also famous for his 'innovations' in the method he presents his concerts, one of the primary issues that purists have being that he renders varnams (traditionally introductory pieces) in the middle of a concert. He is also working towards a project in which Dikshithar compositions from the Sangeetha Sampradaya Pradarshini are rendered exactly according to their notation in the book.
Krishna speaks and writes about a wide range of issues, not confined to the cultural sphere. His interests span the breadth of leftwing activism, be it the environment, the caste system, social reform, religious reform, combating communalism, innovation in classical music and so on. He has started and is involved in many organizations whose work is spread across the spectrum of music and culture. Recently, he has spoken out against the revocation of Article 370, the destruction of statues.
Krishna is part of the team of activists that organizes the Urur-Olcott Kuppam Festival (Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha) in Chennai and the Svanubhava initiative in Chennai. He has been part of inspiring collaborations, such as the Chennai Poromboke Paadal with environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman. He has collaborated for performances with the Jogappas (transgender musicians) and has brought on to the concert stage the poetry of Perumal Murugan. He also speaks in various conferences and academic institutions, including Harvard University, Chennai Mathematical Institute, the Indian Institutes of Technology, and the Indian Institutes of Management.
Among his awards are the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award (2016) in recognition of ‘his forceful commitment as artist and advocate to art’s power to heal India’s deep social divisions’, the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (2017) for his services in promoting and preserving national integration in the country, and the Professor V. Aravindakshan Memorial Award (2017) for connecting Carnatic music with the common man.
Krishna's performing career began at the age of 12 with his debut concert at the Spirit of Youth series organized by the Music Academy, Chennai (India). He has since performed widely at various festivals and venues across the world, including the Madras Music Academy, National Centre for the Performing Arts (India), John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, to name a few.
His music is often appraised as being soulful and full of 'raga bhava'. Among his many renditions, some of the most popular among his listeners include 'Jambupathe' in Yamunakalyani and 'Manavinala' in Nalinakanthi. His music during the last decade was reputed for his powerful, deep voice and his ability to sing rapid swaras in many rare ragas. He now shows a focus on Neraval, an improvisational form which he believes has been distorted over the ages. He is also famous for his 'innovations' in the method he presents his concerts, one of the primary issues that purists have being that he renders varnams (traditionally introductory pieces) in the middle of a concert. He is also working towards a project in which Dikshithar compositions from the Sangeetha Sampradaya Pradarshini are rendered exactly according to their notation in the book.
Krishna speaks and writes about a wide range of issues, not confined to the cultural sphere. His interests span the breadth of leftwing activism, be it the environment, the caste system, social reform, religious reform, combating communalism, innovation in classical music and so on. He has started and is involved in many organizations whose work is spread across the spectrum of music and culture. Recently, he has spoken out against the revocation of Article 370, the destruction of statues.
Krishna is part of the team of activists that organizes the Urur-Olcott Kuppam Festival (Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha) in Chennai and the Svanubhava initiative in Chennai. He has been part of inspiring collaborations, such as the Chennai Poromboke Paadal with environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman. He has collaborated for performances with the Jogappas (transgender musicians) and has brought on to the concert stage the poetry of Perumal Murugan. He also speaks in various conferences and academic institutions, including Harvard University, Chennai Mathematical Institute, the Indian Institutes of Technology, and the Indian Institutes of Management.
Among his awards are the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award (2016) in recognition of ‘his forceful commitment as artist and advocate to art’s power to heal India’s deep social divisions’, the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (2017) for his services in promoting and preserving national integration in the country, and the Professor V. Aravindakshan Memorial Award (2017) for connecting Carnatic music with the common man.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 25, 2019
I must say I was disappointed with the book from a purely reading point of view. The writing seems laboured and tedious.
These are really good and important ideas that TM Krishna has been vocal about. Unfortunately, the ideas get diluted in a lot of hollow rants.
These are really good and important ideas that TM Krishna has been vocal about. Unfortunately, the ideas get diluted in a lot of hollow rants.
July 14, 2019
TM Krishna makes a compelling argument for changing the way art is made and presented to society. I lack a lot of context about the specifics he discussed (as an American of Indian origin), but found his critiques of high caste/cultural practices interesting. They threaded the needle very well between bringing true equality and overreaching.
December 25, 2020
T M Krishna a Carnatic singer with an ope mind
His effort to take music to all people is really appreciable
His effort to take music to all people is really appreciable
April 17, 2018
The beauty of the prose is the first thing that strikes out. This book reads like poetry for most parts and paints vivid imagery with words. Having experienced Carnatic music only in the US in non traditional and unconventional settings, it was eye opening to read about how it is taught and practiced traditionally. How any high art, risks being confined within the privileged sections of the society, creating barriers and discrimination. The author writes about experiments he has been a part of to break these barriers and their impact, and cautions against superfluous attempts to bring art forms together.
As an avid follower of film music, and as someone whose interest in classical music stemmed from film songs, one question it brings to my mind is how has film music played a role in bridging this gap and in making classical music more accessible across social strata? Does that medium perhaps have more potential?
As an avid follower of film music, and as someone whose interest in classical music stemmed from film songs, one question it brings to my mind is how has film music played a role in bridging this gap and in making classical music more accessible across social strata? Does that medium perhaps have more potential?
July 21, 2019
T. M KRISHNA in his book gives us an insight to the deeper meaning of art. He writes about how art is rather a wholesome experience which we often mistake for mere entertainment.
He compares the various elements of the society like Caste, Discrimination and Identity with the various artforms and comments on what needs to be changed for the progressive development of Art.
Krishna also emphasizes on how the artists in the contemporary period are more interested in satisfying the needs of audiences and how that needs to be changed.
He compares the various elements of the society like Caste, Discrimination and Identity with the various artforms and comments on what needs to be changed for the progressive development of Art.
Krishna also emphasizes on how the artists in the contemporary period are more interested in satisfying the needs of audiences and how that needs to be changed.
September 21, 2018
Inspiring, thought provoking on how diverse and open our own art forms are. Must read for everyone who loves heritage and culture. A new dimension, indeed.
May 10, 2018
Very thought provoking read. What are all the things that shape art and get shaped by it.... anyone of us who has been moved by the experience of art will resonate with parts of the book. It makes me think about all the art forms i know so little off. What we think of as music and our willingness or otherwise to widen our spheres of experience with art
I particularly love the way he makes a passionate case for the teacher who can ignite the learning experience ...
“We need the seeker within the teacher. This will transform both the teacher and the student. Imagine a classroom where every student imbibes this spirit from the teacher without consciously realizing it. Minds will be alive with learning.“
I particularly love the way he makes a passionate case for the teacher who can ignite the learning experience ...
“We need the seeker within the teacher. This will transform both the teacher and the student. Imagine a classroom where every student imbibes this spirit from the teacher without consciously realizing it. Minds will be alive with learning.“
January 21, 2021
Beautiful book! How do we separate out what is truly art and what are practices and rituals to preserve social hierarchies and alienate everyone else who isn’t born into the upper-caste circles? I have been frustrated with classical music for several years now and this book put many of my innermost feelings into articulate words. Thank you TMK for this amazing work!
July 26, 2019
Incredible insight into the human cultural condition, with a critical mind asking questions of systemic structures that we savarnas consider sacrosanct.
February 29, 2020
A lucid read bringing issues of identity, caste, gender, language and various forms of art- canonized, folk, marginalized. The intersectionality is handled marvelously.
June 25, 2021
An artist in the form of an Art Critic is something different. A strong narrative again stereotypes and compelling tone to reshape the art!
December 21, 2018
This is only slightly longer than a long-form essay but the structure of a book and chapters really helped shape the narrative. The ideas and opinions presented are not new to people who have been following Krishna's public discourse for a while, but I think his own thoughts and opinions have crystallized to much better clarity and insight since his first book. His interpretation of what Art represents, and it's origins from thoughtful and deliberate observation and internalization resonated with me deeply. The chapter where he indulged in his own story of exploration and free-fall from his perch as a star performer were endearing and moving. The closing chapters on what we can do to make art inclusive were reflective of his own conundrums and confusions about the method. Overall a very thought-provoking series of essays from a man who never stops questioning the status-quo. Agree or disagree with him, he gets you thinking about things we take for granted.
March 15, 2020
Essays on the role of Art in our life, how it reflects social inequalities and of what can be done to change things. I particularly related to the parts about caste identity and of how many of us subsonsciously feed into the sterotypes without even being aware of it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews