Born on 16th September 1916 in the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, M. S. Subbulakshmi (affectionately known as Kunjamma) grew up in a musical environment. Her mother was a veena player while her grandmother was a violinist. Kunjamma cut her first disc (gramophone record) when she was only ten years old. She was tutored by well-known musicians who encouraged her to hone her skills through constant practice. Soon she was recognised as a genius with a touch of magic in her voice.
Subbulakshmi was blessed with beauty and a mellifluous voice - a voice that was hauntingly melodious and divine. When her first movie, "Sevasadanam" was released in 1938, critics were quick to predict that she would soar to great heights in music and in acting as well. "Sakunthala" established her fame as a superb singer. Her crowning glory was "Meera", in which she portrayed the role of the Rajasthani princess, Meera, who pines for the love of Lord Krishna. She gave up film acting in 1946, and began to concentrate wholly on concert music.
Mahatma Gandhi was very fond of Subbulakshmi's bhajans. He was attracted by her flawless presentation and her impeccable diction. "Her voice is exceedingly sweet. She loses herself in bhajan. During prayer one must lose oneself to God. To sing a bhajan is one thing, to sing it by losing oneself to God is quite different." Soon after announcing Mahatma Gandhi's assasination in 1948, All India Radio played a recorded version of Subbulakshmi's "Hari Tum Haro Jan ki bheer" (Lord, dispel the fear in mankind). Gandhi was very fond of this song.
At the international level, she gave concerts at the Edinburgh Festival and at the United Nations, and played a large part in spreading the concept of Carnatic music among Western musicians. "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."
Subbulakshmi received her first award - "Isai Vaani" - in 1940 when she was 24 years old.The highest Civilian Honour of "Bharat Ratna" (Jewel of India) was conferred on her by President K.R.Narayanan in 1998. She was the first musician to be awarded this distinction. Six Indian universities, including the 150-year old Madras University, have conferred Honorary Doctorates on her.
For almost fifty years, Subbulakshmi has been a source of inspiration to me. I am deeply touched whenever I listen to her songs. My eyes become misty when I listen to "Enggum Nirainthaayeh, Enggu Marainthaayoh?", "Kaatriniley Varum Geetham" and a host of her other songs just before retiring for the night. Her voice touches my soul. I was supremely happy when I bought seven CDs of her songs in Hyderabad in September 2004.
M.S.Subbulakshmi, the Melody Queen, passed away at Saint Isabel's Hospital in Chennai on Saturday, 11th December 2004 at the ripe old age of 88 years. She was cremated at the Besant Nagar Crematorium with full state honours, including a 12-gun salute, on 12th December 2004.
Please visit the following websites for more information on M.S.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.S._Subbulakshmi
http://www.answers.com/topic/m-s-subbulakshmi
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