The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Anecdotes

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Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Anecdotes

Sir, — M.S. has a very special place in the hearts of old residents of Kilpauk, where she lived for a long time. With her presence, Kalki Gardens lit up like the Brindavan Gardens. We were all struck by her serenity and innocent smile whenever we happened to notice her pass by. I think the Gandhian movement left a profound influence on her and she, in turn, left a profound influence on the movement by her simple ways and music. When she sang you got the indelible feeling `what a divine person!'

I vividly remember years ago her participating in an unobtrusive way in the Navarathri celebrations in the priest's house, staying till the very end, sharing a meal with others squatting on the floor under the open sky and leaving only after receiving the prasadam, with such piety. The Hindu has paid a fitting tribute to a musical genius. It is so soul filling.

N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Sometime in the 1960s, Radha, M.S.' daughter, delivered a baby in Dr. E.V. Kalyani Nursing Home and M.S. was there for 10 days. We, staff of the nursing home, were eager to listen to her. Dr. Kalyani made the request and a day before her daughter's discharge from the hospital, M.S. delighted us for a couple of hours. Such was her simplicity. Her rasikas' happiness was hers.

Hema Srinivasan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Once M.S. performed at Ganapriya, a music sabha I ran at Vijayawada. Before the show she and her daughter rehearsed for three hours. No other musician had practised prior to a concert.

M.S. sang for more than three hours and the show was a grand success. When I went to thank her, she said, "Jeyicchchuttell (you have won)," refusing to take credit.

V.S. Sundara Rajan,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — In 1949, M.S. performed at a concert in Delhi, in the presence of Pandit Nehru, Gen. Cariappa and other distinguished persons. The then Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, came later.

At the end Nehru observed: "Who am I, a mere Prime Minister before the Queen of Song." I was fortunate to be among the audience that day.

S. Ramamurti,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — I met M.S. at the Hyderabad Airport in 1993. She asked me to convey to my father, the late Sandhyavandanam Srinivasa Rao, her appreciation of his sangeetha sikshana programme, broadcast by AIR, Chennai. She told me that she never missed a single edition of the programme. Truly a great student of music.

S. Madhvamuni Rao,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — I met M.S. in 1970 for the first time in the house of R.K. Narayan at Yadugiri, Mysore when I was Superintendent of Police. I requested her to give a benefit performance in aid of the Police benevolent fund. She asked for the details. When I told her it would go for the medicare and education assistance of constables, she readily agreed. Later a performance was organised and she did not accept even the travel expenses. She was gracious enough to donate a substantial amount to the fund. Such was her magnanimity.

P.J. Bagilthaya,
Bangalore

Chennai

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Anecdotes