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Unquestionably the greatest Carnatic vocalist ever, M S Subbulakshmi . is an artist without peer.
Born on September 16th, 1916, Madhurai Shanmugavadivu Subbulakshmi ('MS' to all her fans) was introduced to music through her mother Shanmukhavadivu's rehearsals on the Veena (A stringed musical instrument that is plucked).
Her first guru for vocal music training was Madurai Srinivasa Iyengar. She cut her first 78-rpm disc at ten. She also trained under Musiri Subramanya Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.
At 17, she broke the myth, that women could not be considered serious musicians, with her performance at the Music Academy, Chennai. With her marriage to Mr. T. Sadasivam in 1940, her career received that all-important direction. Sadasivam is credited with taking the genius of MS, to the world, with phenomenal results.
From 1938 to 1945 MS starred in four unforgettable films - Sevasadanam, Sakunthalai, Savithri and Meera.
Tears welled up in Mahatma Gandhi's eyes as Subbulakshmi sang 'Vaisnava janato tere kahiye, jo pir paray, jane re ' (Only those who are religious understand the sufferings of others).
''To sing a bhajan is one thing, but to sing it by losing oneself in god is another,'' Gandhi said.
In 1947, Mahathma Gandhi had sent words to M.S. to sing 'Bhajans' for him. M.S. was unable to honor his request, but sent a recorded version of 'Hari Tuma Haro' to him. A.I.R. played this after the announcement of the Mahathma's death.
In 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru, presiding over a recital by Subbulakshmi in aid of the Ramakrishna Mission in the capital, said he could not address the meeting after Subbulakshmi had sung.
"Who am I, a mere prime minister, before a queen of song?'' he asked.
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 splendor of her music, it is her image as a saintly person, which will probably endure long after this century, 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 assure the sadhaka of grace.
MS has played the role of Carnatic Music ambassador to the world through her several concerts (notable among them being that at the Edinburgh festival, the United Nations and at Carnegie Hall).
Besides the Bharat Ratna, MS has also received the Padma Bhushan, the Magsaysay award, the Padma Vibhushan, the Spirit of Freedom award and the Indira award for National Integration. Her Concerts and Recordings have risen over three core rupees for charity.
In the spiritual content of her art and the radiance of her personality, MS Subbulakshmi will always stand apart.
M.S., the Nightingale of Carnatic Music, in the cultural renaissance of the 1940s and the Succeeding decades is a legend. But saying that she is a legend is not saying everything about her. M.S. has said again and again that 'she is what she is', solely because of her 'pathi' husband. "He is my friend, philosopher and guide" says M.S. while referring to her husband Sri Sadasivam.
To this day, even when she is past 85, her voice remains as melodic, as vibrant and sweet as it was decades ago. Subbulakshmi has become a legend in her lifetime by dedicating her art for the service of the people and the nation.
Finally, what does M.S. have to say about her own music? I am including a beautiful piece of M.S.'s acceptance speech on August 31, 1974, while receiving the Ramon Magasaysay Award, in Manila. Smt. Subbulakshmi spoke of Indian music as being 'oriented solely to the end of devine communion’. She added: "If I have done something in this respect, it is entirely due to the Grace of the Almighty who has chosen my humble self as a tool".
MS with her husband Mr. T Sadasivam
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MS at United Nations
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MS with Gandhij
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MS at teen age
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"He is my friend, philosopher and guide" says M.S. while referring to her husband Sri Sadasivam.
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Some of the major Awards
1940 Isai Vani, conferred by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Rajamaanikkam Pillai.
1954 Padma Bhusan
1956 The President's Award
1968 Sangeetha Kalaanidhi, the Music Academy, Madras (first woman to be honored).
1970 Isai Perarignar, Tamil Isai Sangam, Madras
1971 Doctor of Letters, Sri Venkateswara University.
1973 Doctor of Letters, Delhi University.
1974 The Ramon Magsaysay Award.
1975 Padma Vibhushan.
1975 Saptagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani, Sri Venkateswara Thyagarajaswami Festival, Tiruppathi.
1975 Svar Vilas, Sur-Singer Samsad.
1979 Doctor of Literature, Indira kalaa Sangeeth, Viswavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh.
1979-80 Producer Emeritus, All India radio and Doordarshan.
1980 Thanipperum Kalaingnar, Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Naataka Manram.
1980 Doctor of Letters, Benares Hindu University.
1981 Member d'Honneur, The International Music Council.
1981 Desihothama, Doctoral degree, Viswa Bharathi University, Shanthinikethan.
1986 Spirit of Freedom Award, VST Industries, Delhi.
1987 Doctor of Literature, University of Madras.
1988 Trustee for Indira Gandhi National center for the Arts.
1988 Kaalidas Samman
1988 Ustaad Hafeez Ali Khan award.
1990 Indira Gandhi Award for national Integration.
1991 Konarak samman
1996 The Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar Birthday Award on her 80th birthday
1996 Dec. 20.The Rasika Ranjani Sabha conferred the title of `Kala Ratna' on Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi, regarded as the queen of music.
1996 Gupta Award
1997 Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swaralaya award
1998 Jan.14 The President of India Conferred the title Bharat Ratna.
1999 Sangeetha Sagara Award - CMNA
2000 S.V.N. Rao Award
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