M.S.Subbulakshmi, the legendary Carnatic Vocalist, also known as MS, was born on 16th September 1916 in Madurai, India, to Shanmukhavadivu and Subrahmanya Iyer. Her mother, Shanmukhavadivu was a well known Vainika & Shanmukhavadivu's mother i.e M.S.Subbulakshmi's grandmother was a Violinist. MS grew up in a musical atmosphere. She started her musical training at a very early age, under her mother. And later, under the tutelage of Srinivasa Iyegar, who gave her a good foundation. Unfortunately, this could not continue for long, as he passed away soon. She continued her music on her own, thereafter. She used to practice for long hours with great dedication. She was also trained in Hindustani Classical Music under Padit Narayan Rao Vyas. She gave her first public performance at the age of 10. Her father passed away around this time and they had to move to Madras after that. Her first recording was released in 1926, with her mother Shanmukhavadivu playing Veena. In 1940, she got married to T. Sadasivam.
Her rise to stardom was phenomenal. Very soon she became the greatest singer of the country. Also, a particular shade of blue, her favourite colour, came to be known as MS Blue. M.S.Subbulaksmi was the first musician ever to be awarded Bharat Ratna. In 1963, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams started broadcasting the album Venkatesha Suprabhatam sung by her, at the Temple. Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is highly popular one in MS's voice. Several musicians have attempted recording this but MSS’s version remains as a masterpiece, which is irreplaceable. She acted in 4 movies, Sevasadanam, Sakuntalai, Savitri & Meera.
A quick glance on the awards and honours she has received:
- Padma Bhushan (1954)
- Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (1956)
- Sangeetha Kalanidhi (considered the Nobel of Carnatic Music, 1968)
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (1974)
- Padma Vibhushan (1975)
- Sangeetha Kalasikhamani (1975)
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's Asthana Vidwan (1975)
- Kalidas Samman (1988)
- Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1990)
- Bharat Ratna (India's highest civilian honour, 1998)
Some of the popular kritis sung by MS:
- Bhajagovindam – Ragamalika in Adi talam composed by Shankaracharya
- Bhavayami Raghuramam – Ragamalika in Rupaka talam composed by Maharaja Sri Swati Tirunal
- Rangapura Vihaara – Brindavana Saranga ragam, Rupaka talam – Composed by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar
- Dolayam – Khamas ragam Tisra Adi talam – Composed by Sri Thallapakka Annamacharya
- Bhavayami Gopalabalam – Yamuna Kalyani ragam, Khanda Chapu talam – Composed by Sri Thallapakka Annamacharya
- Sriman Narayana – Bowli ragam, Adi talam – Composed by Sri Thallapakka Annamacharya
- Rama Nannu Brovara – Harikamboji ragam, Rupaka Talam – Composed by Sri Tyagaraja
- Maitreem Bhajatha – Ragamalika in Adi talam – Composed by Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, renowned as the Paramacharya of Kanchi.
MS's last public performance was in 1997. She had decided that she would stop all public performances after the demise of her husband Sadasivam. In November 1997, Sadasivam passed away at the age of 95.
M.S.Subbulakshmi was a naturally gifted musician, born to sing. Her voice will stay immortal. She passed away at the age of 88 (11th December 2004).
I am dedicating the following video to M.S.Subbulakshmi on her 100th Birthday today.