Interesting Facts About MS Subbulakshmi, The Carnatic Classical Indian Music Stalwart

Friday, February 24, 2023, 2:35

Carnatic music is a practiced widely in South Indian belt comprising of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. Carnatic music is known to have originated from the Samaveda. MS Subbulakshmi started her sadhana under the guidance of Semmangudi Srinivas Iyer and Pandit Narayanrao vyas for her Hindustani musical pursuit. She was a living legend in the world of music, who was fondly addressed as MS by her numerous fans. Her first guru was her mother Shanmugavadivu and her first concert recording was released when she was of 10 years of age.

1. MS was fondly called Kunjamma or Kunju by her family members

2. She belonged to the Devdasi community that engaged in dances and musical performances in temples.

3. She is the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award in 1974,

4. She began her Carnatic music sadhana at a tender age when her peers were into playing with dolls and games.

5. Her mother was a performing musician herself.

6. M. S. Subbulakshmi's sadhana was exposed to the musical influences of Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer, Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Bhagavathar and Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar.

7. Her first public performance happened when she was 11, inside the Rockfort Temple, Tiruchirappalli. Mysore Chowdiah had accompanied her on the violin.

8. Subbulakshmi gave her first performance at Madras Music Academy in 1929 which was meant for distinguished musicians.

9. A few more stellar performances, gave her the leading place among musicians.

10. She performed concerts in London, New York, Canada, the Far East, and other places as the cultural ambassador for India.

11. M.S. Subbulakshmi's first movie, Sevasadanam earned great accolades for her.

12. TTD honoured her by offering the position of a resident artist or the Asthan Vidushi of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams,

13. Urban Development Authority honoured her by installing her bronze statue at the poornakumbham circle in the temple town.

14. She had a postage stamp issued in her name in 2005.

15. Her charity concert remuneration from 200 performances was given away to the needy and the poor.

16. She stopped performing after the death of her husband Thiagaraja Sadasivam better known as Kalki Sadasivam who was an Indian freedom fighter, singer, journalist and film producer and co-founder of the Tamil magazine Kalki.

17. M. S. Subbulakshmi died on 11 December 2004, at her home in Kotturpuram, Chennai.

18. She essayed the role of Mirabai in a film in 1945 that gave her a distinguished status as an actress. In the hindi version of this film MS sang the Meera Bhajans.

19. The popular Kancheepuram Saree shade MS Blue was inspired by her name.

20. She was awarded with the Bharat Ratna in 1998.

21. Her popular renditions include Vishnu Sahasranamam, Hanuman Chalisa, Bhaja Govindam, Kurai Ondram Illai and so on,