The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Anecdotes

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Tuesday, Dec 14, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Anecdotes

Sir, — I recall the incident when my father, S. Ramanathan, took Frank Bennett (my husband) and me to play the veena at M.S.' home before a few guests. After some time, many guests got up and wandered off for dinner. But M.S. amma came closer and sat next to us to listen closely. We also had the honour of listening to her play the veena that day.

Geetha Ramanathan Bennett,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Before her performance at the U.N., M.S. was suffering from throat infection. "I was praying before the Maha Periyavar's photo. On reaching the stage, I thought of him, prayed and started off with OM and my voice came back." Who but M.S. can relate to such a unique and devout occasion with such incorruptibility?

Jeyshree Jayaraman,
Coimbatore, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — T.R. Srinivasan, a music teacher, narrated to me the following incident about M.S.

The Karnataka Government had organised the 400th Purandara Jayanti at the Purandara Mantap on the banks of the Tungabhadra in Hampi. M.S. was to inaugurate the concert in the evening.

On the morning of the concert, a few women near the riverbank were talking among themselves in Tamil, wondering whether they would get a darshan of M.S.

At the same time, a group of Tamil women was walking towards the river to have a holy dip. The women walked up to those seated and inquired about their welfare.

On learning about their desire, a middle-aged woman instantaneously squatted on the sands and sang Dasana madiko enna swami, Elliruvano Ranga emba samshaya beda and Enduro mahanubhavulu!

TRS who was present there was so overwhelmed by the bhakti that he fell prostrate before the great M.S. "Every rasika is a Purandara-Kanaka-Tyagaraja and other saint composers to me. So a rasika's wish is a command to be obeyed at once," she told him.

G.T. Narayana Rao,
Tiruchi, T.N.

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