M. S. Subbulakshmi Honored with Google Doodle
Today Google pay homage to M.S Subbulakshmi on the Google.com homepage in the form of Doodle. M. S. Subbulakshmi was a renowned Carnatic vocalist. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi was born in the temple town of Madurai Madras Presidency, India to veena player Shanmukavadiver Ammal and Subramania Iyer on September 16, 1916. Her grandmother Akkammal was a violinist.
MS was an artiste who transcended the barriers of language, caste and creed and elevated music to sublime and divine heights. In the hearts of music lovers, her music remains immortal. The combination of music, beauty and bhakti elevated MS to great heights. M S Subbulakshmi is a legend who transcends time and whose golden voice brings joy and serenity whenever it is heard.
M.S. Subbulakshmi began her Carnatic classical music training under her mother Shanmugavadivu; and later in Hindustani classical training under Pandit Narayan Rao Vyas. Subbulakshmi first recording was released when she was 10 years old. She also learned Sanskrit and Telugu under Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy.
Her mother, from the devadasi community, was a music exponent and a regular stage performer, and Subbulakshmi grew up in an environment very conducive to musical learning. Her musical interests were also shaped by regular interactions with Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer, Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Bhavathar and Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. Subbulakshmi gave her first public performance in 1929 when she was 13 years old at the prestigious Madras Music Academy.
Nightingale of India, the poet and freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu herself said “Whosoever comes under the enchantment of this singer’s great gifts, will agree with me that she is not an interpreter of Meera, but Meera herself. Take her into your hearts and cherish her. You will be proud that India in this generation has produced such a supreme artist.”
She passed away in Chennai on December 11, 2004.