A Tribute to M.S.Subbulakshmi

Bharathi Association in co-ordination with The Indian club is planning to conduct a semi classical concert “A Tribute to M.S.Subbulakshmi”.

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi better known as M.S.Subbulakshmi (16 Sept 1916 - 11 Dec 2004) is the first musician ever to be awarded the 'Bharat Ratna', India’s highest civilian honour. Also She is the first Indian musician to receive the 'Ramon Magsaysay award', Asia's highest civilian award, in 1974 with the citation reading "Exacting purists acknowledge Shrimati M. S. Subbulakshmi as the leading exponent of classical and semi-classical songs in the Carnatatic43 tradition of South India”.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had this to say about M.S. Subbulakshmi - "Who am I, a mere Prime Minister before a Queen, a Queen of Music". While Lata Mangeshkar called her "Tapaswini" (the Renunciate), Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan termed her "Suswaralakshmi" (the goddess of the perfect note), and Kishori Amonkar labeled her "the ultimate eighth note or Aathuvaan Sur", which is above the seven notes basic to all music. The great national leader and poet Sarojini Naidu called her "Nightingale of India".

Her many famous renditions of bhajans include the chanting of Bhaja Govindam, "Vishnu sahasranama" (1000 names of Vishnu), and the 'Venkateswara Suprabhatam' (musical hymns to awaken Lord Balaji early in the morning).

The other honours conferred on M.S. include the Padma Bhushan (1954), Padma Vibhushan (1975), Kaalidas Sanman (1988). She gave the inaugural concert at the India Festival, London in 1982, and has also performed in Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore and Malaysia. She introduced Carnatic music to the West at the Edinburgh Festival (1963) and at the United Nations (1966).

She was conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters by many universities, including the Sri Venkateswara University (1971), Delhi University (1973), Benaras Hindu University (1980) and the University of Madras (1987). The Desihothama (doctoral degree) was conferred on her by the Viswa-Bharati University, Shantiniketan. She donated the money made from recordings and concerts to many causes. With her husband to guide her, M.S. raised crores of rupees for charity through her concerts. The first charity concert was for the Kasturba Memorial Fund in 1944.

Bharathi Association is delighted to present this memorable event which is promised to mark as an evergreen nostalgic memory in the hearts of the music lovers residing in this island.

Several Bahrain based renowned Vocalists including Mrs. Indu Suresh, Mrs. Priya Krishnamoorthy, Mrs. Sangeeta Ramprasad, Mrs. Suma Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Kirthika Ramprasad will be enchanting popular songs of the Great legend late Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi. Talented Instrumentalists including Mr.Krishna kumar on Mridangam, Mrs. Archana Krishnakumar on violin, Mr.Sethu Madavan on Tabla will ber accompanying the vocalists alongwith other instruments such as Ganjira and Morsing.

Peepy numbers from her sensational collections including "Vaazhiya Senthamizh", "Kaatriniley Varum Geetham", "Kurai Onrum Illai" "Hari Tumaro", "Sriman Narayana" and "Raghupathi Raghava" will be rendered by the artistes to mesmerise the audience

This memorable event will be taking place at The Indian Club Auditorium on Friday, the 4th of May 2012 at 6.30 p.m. Entry for the programme will be free. A great number of Elite audience from the creamy layer of the society are expected to attend this Fine Arts event.

All are welcome. For further information please contact 33331078, 39404100 and 36704089