It was finally the moment everyone had been waiting for, as the speaker for the day took to the stage. Mr. Krishna set the tone for his lecture by tracing the arc of his journey into the world of Carnatic Music.

He recounted how a seemingly traditional path slowly evolved into an unconventional and introspective pursuit, ultimately becoming his own ‘road less taken’. One of the core principles he discussed was that true understanding comes only through personal experiences. He stressed the importance of  challenging oneself and stepping into discomfort to keep both life and art dynamic. Leading by example,  he made sure not to deliver a monotonous lecture. Instead, he chose to interact with the students, ask them questions, and explain his points using relatable examples.

Furthermore, Mr. Krishna spoke about how social hierarchy often leads to emotional distance and reduced empathy.  He clarified that this isn’t a matter of labelling people as inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but rather as ‘aware’ or ‘unaware’. In his view, it is this awareness of privilege, of others’ realities, and of one’s own position, that determines whether one’s actions are truly meaningful and compassionate. He concluded his profoundly contemplative and thought-provoking lecture by drawing attention to the act of questioning. For Mr. Krishna, asking questions is not a sign of uncertainty or weakness, but a vital part of growth, understanding, and transformation. He described questioning as a cyclical process, where each question should naturally lead to another. In his view, reaching a definitive answer often signals a closed mindset. He affirmed that it is through uncomfortable and challenging questions that we arrive at deeper truths, both in art and in life. 

Mr. Krishna critiqued the notion that art must be pure, clean, or elite, with questions such as

“Why does art demand pureness?”

“Why is it confined to certain social spaces?”

“Who made these rules that have been carried through generations?

He  argued that marginalised perspectives are essential, and the discomfort caused by them needs to be challenged. He recounted collaborating for a performance with the Jogappas, a transgender musical community from Gujarat. While he initially felt hesitant, the experience led him to a deep sense of insight and connection. With this anecdote, he reinforced the idea that true growth comes when we allow ourselves to be unsettled.

Another personal experience of his garnered all the attention as the audience curiously listened to the tale of the Tamil slang word – Poramboke. A word that originated during the British colonial rule for common lands that were considered worthless as they couldn’t be taxed, over time, began to be used for the people who lived on that land — often marginalized communities — thereby implying they too were useless. Challenging the norms, Mr. Krishna sang the same ‘disgraceful’ word in a highly prestigious Raga which often has mentions of gods and goddesses. This incident served as a key moment in his understanding of art, language, and social awareness.