Chennai: Noted Carnatic singer T.M. Krishna is one of the two Indians who have won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2016. The other winner from India is Karnataka-born Bezwada Wilson, for his campaign against manual scavenging.

Krishna has won the award for his commitment to heal India’s social divisions, through music.

Born in Chennai, the student of late Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, began learning Carnatic music from the age of six. A graduate in economics, Krishna chose to make a career in music. The 40-year-old singer has rebelled against the deep-rooted caste system that prevails in the world of Carnatic music.

His award citation reads, “He questioned the politics of art; widened his knowledge about the arts of the Dalits (‘untouchables’) and non-Brahmin communities; and declared he would no longer sing in ticketed events at a famous, annual music festival in Chennai to protest the lack of inclusiveness.”

“Recognizing that dismantling artistic hierarchies can be a way of changing India’s divisive society, Krishna devoted himself to democratizing the arts as an independent artist, writer, speaker, and activist,” the citation reads.

“In electing Thodur Madabusi Krishna to receive the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his forceful commitment as artist, and advocate to art’s power to heal India’s deep social divisions, breaking barriers of caste and class, to unleash what music has to offer, not just for some, but for all,” the citation states.

In 2011-13, Krishna toured the war-torn areas of northern Sri Lanka, becoming the first Carnatic singer to visit the region in 30 years. Krishna also is the author of the popular book, A Southern Music: The Karnatik Story.

The Magsaysay awards are given to individuals in Asian countries, in recognition of their services to the society.