The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : The heavens too wept

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

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

The heavens too wept

By K. Manikandan

CHENNAI, DEC. 12. On Sunday, it seemed the heavens themselves wept as sharp showers drenched mourners at `Subham-Sivam,' the residence of the legendary musician M.S. Subbulakshmi on First Main Road in Kotturpuram. So did the scores of musicians, admirers and others as they struggled to come to terms with the fact that M.S. Subbulakshmi, popularly known as M.S., was no more.

V. Kalyanam, former secretary to Mahatma Gandhi during the latter's last years, said: "M.S. is as great as the Mahatma. She has done so much for charity and is the epitome of supreme sacrifice." He said M.S. met Mahatma Gandhi some months before he died. Though unable to recall the exact date, Mr. Kalyanam said she sang `Vaishnava janato,' the Mahatma's favourite bhajan.

Mahatma's compliment

"Gandhiji asked her to sing another song, but M.S. said she did not know the lyrics and the tune and so could not sing. Gandhi replied: `Then just read them out. It is as good as you singing'," Mr. Kalyanam said. "M.S. did not know the song which Gandhiji specifically asked for, but his remarks were a compliment to her," he said. Mr. Kalyanam said M.S. possessed qualities that should be emulated by everyone.

Divine voice

Carnatic and playback singer K.J. Jesudas, like many others, said her `divine voice' captivated the hearts of millions of people. Asked if he had learnt anything from the legend, Mr. Jesudas said her pronunciation and rendition were inspiring. These two qualities were examples for students of music to follow. "She lived for music," he said.

Renowned violinist L. Subramaniam said M.S. was the first to showcase Carnatic music to the world. Endowed with a large heart, M.S. was a "gift to all of us," he said.

The conferring of the Bharat Ratna, the first on a musician, was recognition not only of Carnatic music, but also of south Indian artistes. "Whatever she started, including the festival named after my father, went on to become successful. I am very fortunate to have received her friendship," said Mr. Subramaniam, who was accompanied by his wife, Kavitha Krishnamurthi.

Recalling his association with the legendary musician, Viswanathan of the film music director duo M.S. Viswanathan-Ramamurthi, said: "I first met her in Jupiter Pictures in Chennai in 1941. I was 16 then. I was in the chorus for a song in the film `Meera'." Stating that it was his cherished dream to compose a song for M.S., Mr. Viswanathan added it never became a reality.

Kalam's association

Rajeswari Padmanabhan, a veena artiste, was surprised when she was asked to meet the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who expressed his condolences to M.S.'s relatives. Mr. Kalam, during his brief chat with relatives, recalled his association with M.S. and other musicians, including Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer, a veena player of the Karaikudi duo.

When the President was informed that Sambasiva Iyer's granddaughter, Rajeswari Padmanabhan, was present, he expressed his desire to meet her, according to the relatives.

"When I met the President, he told me that he had seen my grandfather's performance and also my performance when I was young," Ms. Rajeswari said. "I was pleasantly shocked when he asked if I would accept his invitation to perform before him," she said.

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