The Hindu : National : Music of MS celebrated India’s values: Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 12, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Music of MS celebrated India’s values: Manmohan

Staff Reporter

Book on doyenne of Carnatic music released

— Photo: V. V. Krishnan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar present a copy of the book MS and Radha — A Saga of Steadfast Devotion to Radha Viswanathan, daughter of M.S. Subbulakshmi, at a function in New Delhi on Thursday. Gowri Ramnarayan, author and grandniece of MS, is at left and at centre is V. Shrinivasan, grandson of MS.

NEW DELHI: In a world where violence and hatred abound, personalities like M.S. Subbulakshmi, the doyenne of Carnatic music, can help instil the right values through their work, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Thursday.

He was releasing a book MS and Radha: A Saga of Steadfast Devotion by Gowri Ramnarayan.

Dr. Singh said in times of violence “great saints and rishis of our country through their life and work” become truly relevant to help infuse the right values.

Homage paid

Paying homage to the Bharat Ratna awardee, he said that in her own way and through her music MS (as she is popularly known) had propounded the finest values India stood for thousands of years.

“I have had the privilege of listening to her divine music when she sang in the UN General Assembly in 1966. As part of the audience I could see how people who did not understand a bit of Carnatic music were deeply moved,” Dr. Singh said.

‘Rare individual’

“MS was a rare individual and it is difficult to believe that she existed in flesh and blood. She shaped the lives of millions,” he said and recollected how Jawaharlal Nehru had said at the end of a concert: “What am I? A mere Prime Minister before the queen of emotions.”

“She led a good life and her voice will inspire generations,” the Prime Minister said.

Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar described MS as “Devi personified.” Reminiscing his association with her, he said: “It is difficult to express the ambience of that period when I listened to her music in that (MS’) house. It was a priceless experience in my life.”

Gowri Ramnarayan, grandniece of MS and her vocal accompanist for 15 years, said:

“In writing about M.S. Subbulakshmi, I am asserting the values that our nation holds dear — damyata, datta, dayathvam (restraint, generosity and compassion). MS sang this prayer song at every concert with conviction and hope.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National