M. S. Subbulakshmi

MS Subbulakshmi ( Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi; Tamil: மதுரை சண்முகவடிவு சுப்புலட்சுமி, Maturai Caṇmukavaṭivu Cuppulaṭcmi; born September 16, 1916 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, † December 11, 2004 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu ) was an important Indian Carnatic music singer. She belongs with DK Pattammal and ML Vasanthakumari the three most important vocal interpreters of this music in the 20th century.

Life

Born into a musical family Subbulakshmi started her singing career early. At 17, she made ​​her debut at the Madras Music Academy. Later she was also known as an actress, including the title role in R. Ellis Dungans Meera (1945 ).

As a cultural ambassador for her country she traveled the world and performed in the most important concert halls. She was married and a deeply religious devotee of the Guru Chandrashekarendra Saraswati of Kanchi and enthusiastic Mahaswamigal.

Among the glowing admirers of her music were Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as well as the musicians Lata Mangeshkar, bathing Ghulam Ali Khan, Kishori Amonkar. After the death of her husband in 1997, she appeared no more openly.

Awards

She has received numerous awards. The most important are: