By R Narasimhan
As soon as I heard the announcement of the award of Magsaysay for the young Karnatic musician I was elated and sent him a congratulatory message. On second thoughts, however, I began feeling that it was not so well deserved. He has not achieved nor contributed so much. He wrote a couple of good books and wrote in the media condemning Hindutva people while reverentially appealing to Muslim zealots. And took baby steps to make K-music inclusive by taking to the non-traditional audiences. There is resentment among these people that their settlements are not slums but fishing villages, with their own cultural traditions. It is just a recognition of an effort, rather than achievement, just like the awarding of Nobel Peace Prizes.