The Hindu : Front Page : We are orphaned, say artistes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 13, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

We are orphaned, say artistes

By R. Sujatha

CHENNAI, DEC. 12. Chennai awoke to a sad Sunday today when from dawn a stream of visitors walked quietly in through the gates of M.S. Subbulakshmi's home in Kotturpuram to pay homage to the departed doyen of Carnatic music.

The demise, coming as it did at the beginning of the music season, has depressed all those who knew her, knew of her, had seen her perform or merely heard her songs.

In a couple of days, the entire city would have been festive, with classical dancers and musicians performing in the various sabhas in the city. The artistes, young and old, who spoke to mediapersons, said they were orphaned. They remember her as a humble person who spread the beauty of Carnatic music around the world.

Violinist Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, said: "Her Venkatesa Suprabhatham is more than enough to capture the hearts of music lovers. Her music remained youthful and is an asset for the country."

Danseuse Padma Subrahmanyan recalled her father (whose 100th anniversary fell this year) had introduced her in the film "Sevasadan." Her family had been closely associated with the M.S. family. It was more than a personal loss, she said. "All representatives of Carnatic music and other art forms feel orphaned in her death."

Musician couple L. Subramaniam and Kavitha Krishnamurti, film music composer duo M.S. Viswanathan and Ramamurthy, K.J. Jesudas and several others paid homage at the Kotturpuram residence.

Doordarshan and the Press Information Bureau placed wreaths. Around 11 a.m. representatives of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam placed tulsi-leaf garlands. Officials from the T. Nagar branch of the Devastanam also placed a tulsi garland.

When Anjali Devi and playback singer P. Susheela arrived, a close associate of the family, Atmanadan, told Anjali Devi that before she fell ill she had watched an old movie of Anjali Devi. When she was asked if she remembered the heroine in the film she had replied yes. Anjali Devi. Mr. Atmanadan told Anjali Devi that was the last movie she watched. Actors Sivakumar and Rajesh paid their respects.

Playback singer P.B. Srinivos and S. Janaki were also present. `Vikku' Vinayak Ram, ghatam exponent, said he had his first opportunity to accompany her during her concert at the United Nations in 1964. "Ghatam became popular because of her." K.V. Prasad, mridangist, who accompanied her to the Moscow Festival of India and played the instrument for 15 years called it the greatest opportunity. He also accompanied her during her last official concert at the Music Academy in 1998. Mridangist Trichy Sankaran recalled his association with the family for over 40 years and said, "She was a unsurpassed legend."

The former minister, K. Rajaram, the Law Minister, D. Jayakumar, and the Public Works Department Minister, O. Paneerselvam, also paid homage. The Union Minister for Shipping, T.R. Baalu, also paid his respects.

`An inspiring soul'

Sonal Mansingh, Vyjayanthimala Bali, V. Dhananjayan and Shantha also paid their respects. Ms. Mansingh said: "One can rarely find a human being who was good and godly. She was what she was inside and outside." Mr. Dhananjayan said: "She is the most inspiring soul for all artists, for all generations to come. We will miss her for many many generations. Enga manasil niranju irrukkira oru amma."

S.S. Badrinath, chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, and his wife paid their respects. He said: "We are fortunate to have known her. She has done so much for Sankara Nethralaya. We'll be grateful to her."

Prema Padmanabhan, the surgeon who treated her for cataract at Sankara Nethralaya, said of her death: "It is a private thing." She said she was awed by the sense of belonging so many people had.

Homage to M.S.: More photos on The Hindu website www.hinduonnet.com/gallery>

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