M.S.Subbulakshmi - An Obituary




Whatever I say might sound cliche. But is there something I can say about MS which has already not been said. She was the unparalleled queen of Carnatic music. Every Indian Household woke up with her mellifluous voice singing " Kausalya Supraja" and the " Bhaja Govindham".

The awards & accolades she won over the decades are countless and she donated most of it to Philanthrophic causes. The only concert of MS which I attended was at the Nanganallur Hanuman temple,Madras. I could hardly get a glimpse of her since crowds thronged in thousands. People were filled with joy on merely seeing her & one got the feeling that this is the closest you could get to god on earth.

Carnatic purists might argue that DKP,MLV were " technically" better singers but that unalloyed sweetness in MS's voice and her Bhakti Bhava makes one forget that Technicalities exist in music. I particularly like three of her Songs. " Sree Ranga Pura " , " Vaishnava Janatho" & " Kurai Onrum Illai" . What gems.

She lived a great life . An inspiration to millions . May her soul rest in peace. Her last words would have been " Kurai Onrum Illai "( I have no regrets) ....................