M S Subbulakshmi

M S Subbalakshmi was no ordinary singer; her music made her listeners feel the presence of God. It is safe to say without any fear of contradiction that there seemed a flow of divinity each time MS sang. Her life was such that even angels would envy.

Her admirers were legends themselves; Jawaharlal Nehru never tired to saying, "Who am I before the queen of song?" Mahatma Gandhi famously said,” I should prefer to hear it SPOKEN by Subbulakshmi than SUNG by others." He was referring to “Hari tum haro” which MS pleaded ignorant. As is her wont, she learnt that song and it sort of became a national anthem especially after Bapu’s assassination. Ms. Sarojini Naidu bestowed on her the title, “Nightingale of India”. It was sheer MS’s virtuosity that extended the boundaries of Carnatic music first to rest of India and later the world. Even the western world paid tributes to her art as Congreve, a music critic, said: "Her music has the power to soothe a savage beast, soften rocks and bend a knotted tree."

What was it that people from the low to the mighty were enchanted in the music of MS? It was that special quality she invokes of peace and bliss, not just with her voice, but her character - simple, devout and spiritual. Sitting on stage, diamonds glittering on her nose and ears, jasmines on the head-her grace and beauty was a beholding sight. Then when M.S Subbulakshni began to sing, her electrifying performance just transported the listeners to an ethereal experience.

Few could have imagined a girl born in 1916 in Madurai could be single-mindedly integrate the nation by the power of her music and spread the beauty of Carnatic music worldwide.

The MS classical repertoire in several languages is a formidable one, representing composers from the ancient to the contemporaneous. She learnt from several musicians and scholars: from guru Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Seithur Sundaresa Bhattar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Papanasam Sivan, T.L Venkatarama Iyer, Turaiyur Rajagopala Sarma, Mayavaram Krishna Iyer, K.V. Narayanaswami, S. Ramanathan, Nedunuri Krishnamurti et al. She learnt a few padams from dancer Balasaraswati as well as from T. Brinda, both scions of the Dhanammal family renowned for the music.

She immortalised many songs, including Vaishnava Janatho, a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, Meera bhajans, Annamacharya kirtans and the like. Certain ragas like Shankarabharanam and Kambhoji bore her 'unmistakable stamp'. People were invariably moved to tears by her Meera bhajans.

Even today the Lord at Tirumala wakes up everyday to her recording of “Venkateswara Suprabatam”. Her rendition of “Vishnu Sahasranama” and “Bhaja Govindam” are pieces of perfection that many households play even today. MS had impeccable diction in the different languages of the lyrics she sang. She is known for attention to detail such as breath control, pauses in the right places, voice modulation, and changes in emphasis and breaking phrases in to their proper components. Here her knowledge of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Sanskrit and Hindi was of immense help.

Subbalakshmi married Sadasivam in 1940 and he was instrumental in popularizing her; right from scheduling concerts to even the selection of songs in the concert. Her devotion and faith in his judgement was implicit. Believing that his wife's wealth of voice should not be used for personal gain, Sadasivam channeled the proceeds of the concerts into charitable endowments. Many causes and institutions (medical, scientific, research, educational, religious and charitable) have benefited from MS from her concerts.

Beneficiaries have been various hospitals, religious and educational institutions such as the Sevoor T. B. Sanatorium, the Kamala Nehru Hospital, the Ramkrishna Mission, the South Indian Education Society, the Indraprastha College for Women and the Madras Music Academy's Building Fund.

In the Bombay studio where the Meera score was recorded, artists who came for other recordings would stop by and become rapt listeners. A newcomer refused to record her song after the MS session. "Not now, not after THAT!”, said Lata Mangeshkar, another devoted MS fan. Her music was such that even the Paramacharya of Kanchi pronounced his blessing: "This will last as long as the sun and the moon stand in the skies."

MS was the embodiment of grace and ancient tradition of Indian womanhood - kind, considerate, compassionate, soft- spoken, self-sacrificing and somewhat unworldly. She breathes the tenderness of the mother to the child, the bhakta to the god.

Subbulakshmi won every conceivable award; Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Ramon Magsaysay award, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman and the Bharat Ratna. She was also honored as the court-singer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) has installed a bronze statue of M.S.Subbulakshmi at the Poornakumbham circle in the temple town.

Towards the end of each recital MS sounds the cymbals in eyes-closed concentration for the Rajaji hymn "Kurai onrum illai " (I have no regrets). It becomes obvious that for all the splendour of her music, her image as a saintly person which will probably endure long, just as in the case of Meerabai. For, in the highest tradition of the Indian way of life, Subbulakshmi links her art with the spiritual quest, where humility and perseverance shining like a beacon light.