The magic in her voice
LAKSHMI VISHWANATHAN
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M.S. Subbulakshmi was a symbol of peace and harmony.
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Photo: V. Ramamurthy
Unforgettable: MS worked with a single-minded purpose.
A GREAT voice is an unforgettable phenomenon of human experience. M.S. Subbulakshmi was gifted with such a voice. Millions have heard her singing and millions more will do so in the decades to come. Her voice does not merely represent Indian music at its best, but it also symbolises the truth in human endeavour.
Contribution to humanity
We might all ask ourselves the question: what is our individual contribution to humanity. And we might find the answer elusive. For, perhaps, we might not have been conscious of doing something for the betterment of the world all our lives. Subbulakshmi was a perfect example of the individual who consciously contributed the one thing she knew best, to make this world a better place for all. And that was her music.
How did a woman, born in the early 20th century find the path to follow her instinct to serve humanity? How did she use her prodigious talent to draw a multitude of people towards herself, only to make them look beyond her, at the Divine? What brought about that magic when she sang that made people forget themselves, forget even her, and reach out to that spiritual truth, however unattainable that may be to the ordinary mortal? These are the questions that come up in one's intellectual search for the essential M.S. Subbulakshmi. It is easy to indulge in hyperbole while speaking of her music. It is also not difficult at all to list her achievements. But to understand her as a human phenomenon, one must search one's own heart, one's intellect... . and eventually one's soul!
There is a saying in Tamil, which can be roughly translated as: Touched by the fragrance of the flower, even the chord used to string it together smells sweet. One can say that Subbulakshmi's music and personality made many lives "fragrant" by mere contact. She exuded a friendliness, humility and extraordinary strength that needed no words to elaborate.
While her music brought immeasurable joy to all, she herself had a way with people that made them feel that they were in the presence of greatness. The beauty of this greatness lay not in an intimidating display of importance or in any conscious projection of her celebrity status. Rather it was the quiet charm of a strong woman telling us all the time that she had worked very hard with a single-minded purpose in life to reach her goals.
How does one celebrate the life of such a great artist and a greater human being? Is it enough to sing her songs or dance to them? Is it enough to speak of her in innumerable forums? Is writing about her, an adequate tribute? These questions come to my mind, when I am in deep thought.
Lead the way
I think it is important for thinkers and intellectuals to lead the way for making future generations realise the importance of great individuals who have shaped the cultural destiny of India.
Do we not try to keep the memory and teachings of Gandhi alive in innumerable ways? And has he not become the worldwide symbol of peace, venerated in every nation and by every people who are struggling for freedom?
A great artiste like Subbulakshmi too is a symbol of peace and harmony. Her life and her music are universal beacons of light, leading people to realise the beauty of harmony in life and peace between peoples. She sang at the United Nations for peace.
She has shown the way. Let us follow that path and strive for a better life in the world, enriching the next generation with our arts, and our wisdom acquired by learning.
M.S. Subbulakshmi's death anniversary is on December 11.
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