THE NIGHTINGALE OF INDIA

THE NIGHTINGALE OF INDIA


(BHARAT RATHNA, The Nightingale of India, Singer of par-excellence- that is M.S.Subulakshmi. Born in 1916 at Madurai in Tamil Nadu, MS-underwent her training under her mother- who was famous Veena Vidhvamsini at that time. When she was only a student, her first gramophone record was released. Her voice captivated the audience and the record had record sales. There after she had only ascendancy. But it was Sadhasivam who brought refinement in her singing and nurtured)


Nehru after hearing the singing of MS said that before this princess-he is only an ordinary person. Gandhiji wanted to hear the bhajan ‘ Hari Thum Haro from MS and it was recorded at Madras and flown to Delhi- that was way back in 1940s – when Air Travel was not much in vogue at that time. The whole world knows her. MS sang at UN.
Audience was spell bound and listened her singing with rapt attention. What was the
secret behind her singing success and voice culture?

MS came from ordinary family. Her mother Shanmugavadivu though a famous veena
player at that time lived poor life. But she was bent to give her daughter proper training in Carnatic Music. Childhood for MS was spent in playing and singing. She used to sing along with her mother during festivals. She did not pursue her studies.
After her first gramophone record had record sales she was invited to Madras to sing
before Sabha audience. She met Sadhasivam while travelling to Bombay.

That meeting finally ended in marrying him. This is the first Turning point in her career. Sadhasivam was a nationalist at core. Besides that he decided to carve out a unique path for MS. MS underwent training under Experts like Musiri, Semmangudi, Rajagopala Sarma, Papanasam Sivan and Hindi from Rabindra Rai. The practice will start in theearly morning around 4. O’ clock.

Before marriage MS acted in few pictures. Sadasivan wanted to utilize her talents by
making a film MEERA. In Meera MS emotionally involved with that character and
people who saw the picture later started to call MS as Meera- such was the impact Meera Bhajans created in the mind of audience. Gandhi saw this picture at the instance of Rajaji and was so overwhelmed – he made it a point to sing Meera bhajan at every prayer meeting he held. This is the second Turning Point in her career.
MS totally devoted to her husband and left everything to him.

Sadasivam played major part in shaping MS and was responsible for her position to day. Before every concert he made MS to practice in the house and arranged the sequence of songs to be sung in the Sabha. He will study the type of audience and their taste and accordingly the Katcheriwill be composed.

He made MS ready and assemble one hour before start of the concert at the hall.
Punctuality was very important to them. MS name spread through out the continent. Both MS and Sadasivam donated the entire money to worthy causes. Gadhiji’s Fund
collections swelled because of MS. She made hundreds of charity concerts.
MS is a legend. 2-people influenced her life greatly – Kanchi Periaval-Chandrasekara
Saraswathi Swami and Sathya Sai Baba.

Once when she was touring America – just a few hours before a concert her voice created a problem. She was very much worried and upset and thought only one person- Kanchi Acharya. Miracle does happen- her voice cleared for the concert and it was a success. MS was fortunate that her husband lived with her till his 90-years-thus helping her. The exceptionally moral conduct that she built for her, her implicit obedience to her husband and the perfect understanding between them are all the factors critical for her success in life.

In her career wealth earned wealth well distributed. She has given crores of rupees for needy persons and rehabilitated many destitute families. Kalki Gardens, in which she lived, was an important place to which many distinguished visitors made it a point to call. The Sun cannot be compared with any one. Its glory is unique. Its helping tendency is unlimited to even a small little flower. So also MS- the legend.

Analysis:

An ordinary girl became a legend in her lifetime. God gifted her sweet voice through
which she enthralled millions of people. It is not fluke but hard work, disciplined life coupled with unfailing loyalty to her husband moulded her into one of the finest Singer of all times. There always some one behind one’s success and in her cases undoubtedly her husband. Opportunities present only rarely in a lifetime. Intelligent use of it will make a man or woman great.


· Gifted Voice.
· Hard Practice.
· Disciplined Life, unfailing loyalty.
· Influence of great masters.

R.Jagannathan