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| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
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Legendary carnatic queen no more by Ananth Palakidnar **** "I would rather hear the words of a hymn spoken by Subbulakshmi than sung by anyone else". - Gandhi **** Music is the food of love, be it classical, pop, jazz or Carnatic. Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi lived upto the musical expectations of many music lovers. Subbulakshmi entertained and enthralled Indian music lovers in her day. The first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru who witnessed her performance referred to her on one occasion saying "Who am I, a mere Prime Minister, before a Queen of music." Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, popularly known as M.S. among millions of Carnatic music lovers around the world is no more. She died at the age of 88 in Chennai on December 11, 2004. The Government of India gave her a state funeral with a ceremonial gun salute on 12 December. President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was also present at the funeral in Chennai. Though President Abdul Kalam is a nuclear scientist, he is also good at playing the Veena, a popular musical instrument in South India, and an admirer of M. S. Subbulakshmi, the Indian Head of State flew from New Delhi to honour the music maestro and also read out a poem in Tamil which he wrote about her, while he was flying to Chennai, for the funeral. Born in the temple city of Madurai to Veena artistes, Shanmukhavadivu on September 16th, 1916, Subbulakshmi had her debut in music at the age of thirteen and continued her career until her husband T. Sathasivam's death in 1997. The late T. Sathasivam was a follower of Mahathma Gandhi during the period of India's freedom struggle and was a pillar of strength to MS in her music career. Fans of MS used to remember that her husband Sathasivam who was the founder of `Kalki', a leading Tamil magazine in Tamil Nadu sat in the first row facing his wife wherever she performed. Subbulakshmi was not a stranger to Sri Lanka. She visited Sri Lanka in the late fifties and gave recitals in Colombo as well as in Jaffna. Some of her fans in Jaffna still remember that the recital of MS took place at the Manohara theatre and the hall was packed despite the exorbitant prices of tickets. Those who could not get seats were standing outside amidst heavy rain, listening to the melodious voice of Subbulakshmi. Subbulakshmi's first performance in the International arena took place at the Edinburgh International Music festival in 1963, and she held the audience spellbound with her renditions. Thereafter she had the opportunity of performing at the magnificent auditorium of the United Nations General Assembly in 1996 on the invitation extended to her by U.Thant who was at that time the Secretary General of UN. Admirers of Subbulakshmi consider her a symbol of Indian motherhood-kind, considerate, compassionate, self-sacrificing and somewhat out of this world On August 31, 1974 while receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award in Manila M. S. Subbulakshmi said: "If I have done something in this respect, it is entirely due to the grace of the Almighty who has chosen me as a tool". These remarks highlighted the highest tradition of the Indian way of life and her dedication to Carnatic music with spiritual quest. Deeply religious, she spends hours in worship every day , at home or wherever she is no matter how busy her public schedule is.Simple in her needs, conservative in her habits, devoted to her husband and a caring mother to her two daughters. Money does not mean a thing to her, except for what it can do to help worthy causes. The legendary singer recorded numerous albums and always donated the royalties to charity. Various institutions, have benefited and will continue to benefit from the sale proceeds. Subbulakshmi's first full-length album for the Gramophone Company of India (GCI), which was recorded over 40 years ago still manages to sell over 2 lakh copies every year.The company further adds that it manages to sell at least 15,000 cassettes and CDs each month in South India with between 2000 and 3000 more coming from the rest of the country. It was not surprising that Subbulakshmi with her lovely voice and charming personality joined films in the 30's. The only expression that naturally came to her was her music and it is for that reason that all four movies she acted in are still remembered. `Sevasadanam', her first movie was released in 1938 where she acted with aplomb as a poor young girl,who married a rich old man. This was followed by `Sakunthalai' where she played the lead role. `Savithri', her third film was released in 1942. In 1945 she appeared in` Baktha Meera'and this film was released in both Tamil and Hindi. The film also created a swelling wave of appreciation that gave Subbulakshmi a status as a musician. It also marked the end of her film career. In the 50s and 60s Subbulakshmi's life style was hectic. She travelled constantly. It became an honour to have her at a wedding or a gathering. Her sarees, jewellery, the particular style in which she wore flowers in her hair all became trademarks. Along with her public image,she developed an equally strong private life of an orthodox Hindu housewife whose husband was her command. Since winning her first award in 1940, M. S. Subbulakshmi had received more than hundred awards, recognitions and titles from both India and abroad. Her awards include around seven Doctorates from various leading universities in India. Subbulakshmi won her the prestigious national award the Padma Bhusan in 1954 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1975. Later in 1998 she was conferred with Bharat Ratna, one of the most prestigious Presidential awards in India for her contribution to music. She sang in ten languages including English at the UN assembly in 1966. Though she did not become as Internationally popular as the North Indian exponents Ravi Shankar or Zakir Husain, she introduced Carnatic music to the West in a significant manner-first at the Edinburgh festival and later at the United Nations Assembly and arranged cost to cost tours in the United states of America in 1977. January 30th, 1948 is a day Indians would never forget, the day on which Mahathma Gandhi was assassinated. The radio relayed the song sung by M.S.Subbulakshmi but she never heard it. On hearing of his death she had collapsed.Subbulakshmi's voice filled the air with the rendition of Hari tum haro, a hymn that Gandhiji had loved, on that day. It was a year before M. S. Subbulakshmi could bring herself to sing that hymn again without breaking down. Mahathma Gandhi had once said: "I would rather hear the words of a hymn spoken by Subbulakshmi than sung by anyone else". Gandhi also added that Subbulakshmi when singing, comes close to God and the same thing happens to those who listen to her. The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh expressing his condolences said:"I am deeply saddened by the passing away of this great soul, but everyone of us know that her voice will remain with us for centuries to come." Those words of sympathy could not be considered as delivered entirely to the family members of M. S. Subbulakshmi, but also by the millions of admirers of her throughout the world. Her music would live on,for their power and lyrics even though she has completed her earthly sojourn. |
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