Creative write-up by Medha Wadadekar, RCP Aundh
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MS Subbulakshmi (MS Amma)..
I have been a student of Hindustani classical vocal music. Being born and brought up in Mumbai, I hardly got any opportunity to experience and appreciate Carnatic classical music. I think, after relocating to Chennai in 2005 about 20 years ago, the best thing that has happened to me is the exposure I got to know and understand the nuances and experience the Carnatic music thru the legendary stalwarts musicians such as M BalamuraliKrishana, D K Pattammal, S Srinivasa Iyer alongwith the contemporary singers such as Smt.Sudha Raghunathan, Vid.Bombay Jayshree, Ranjini-Gayathri , Smt.Aruna Sairam etc. In this galaxy of musicians one polestar like Divine Gem is my most loved Musician, M.S.Subbulakshmi also known as MS Amma..
In this write up, I would love to share my experiences that got me to appreciate the exemplary qualities inherent in M.S amma’s voice.
I consider M.S amma to be a person born in this world not under the influence of Karma but due to the sankalpa of Narayana! She is best regarded as a being manifested on earth for providing spiritual solace to millions through the natural medium of music. I cannot relate anecdotes and stories as I have not been fortunate enough to see and know her. However, I can attempt to give subjective descriptions of what her music means to me and in the process hope to pay obeisance to an almost divine figure in the history of music.
I was first introduced to M.S Amma’s voice even before I moved to Chennai, through 'Kausalya supraja Rama' and that had enchanted me inexplicably!! After I came here in Chennai, I tried to listen to her records, as well as watched videos on YouTube. Meanwhile I attended a workshop on Carnatic music and in due course, could learn base as well as a few nuances so that I could appreciate this music better. Dr M Lalitha, who herself is a renowned Violinist and done her doctorate in the World music, had conducted the workshop and was so kind enough to clarify and in giving a better insight in Carnatic Music, going out of way at times.
While my efforts to find more about my all-time favourite musician, MS Amma, I realised that from the single song I had listened to, I plunged into the nectarine ocean of Carnatic music. I knew (and continue to know) very little of this but I had no qualms about this as I began to appreciate the subtle things in life.
M.S. Subbulakshmi became my teacher in absentia as I started listening to her songs with the fervour of a disciple. Each new song I heard renewed my interest in music and in this person who was described gloriously by one and all (mind you, that’s a distinction none can achieve easily in a world such as ours!). I started reading about her in magazines and watched a couple of those documentaries on great musicians. When you listen to the Bhaja Govindam in her delectable voice the truths contained in it are made infinitely sweet. They say the truth is bitter, However I say, not if sung by M.S.AMMA.
Her renditions of SriVishnuSahasranama Stotram and Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam are remarkable for their clarity and the effect they have upon the listeners. For instance, when you are in a low mood listening to ‘Dolayam’ in khamas, rendered zestfully by M.S can be rejuvenating experience. Her Meera Bhajans and songs in the 1945 film MEERA are so fantastic that I will refrain from trying to describe them using the limited adjectives known to language.
Apart from songs her excellent and soulful rendition of Shlokas and Stutis cannot be surpassed. Her flawless recitation of the SriRanga Gadyam is amazing. It conjures up an image of Sri Ramanuja crying out to Lord Ranganatha in patent supplication. Her ‘andha naalum vandidadho’ is a moving piece which brings to us the heartfelt longing of a Rajasthani poetess in Tamil!
I cannot think of a better benedictory song than ‘Maithriim Bhajata’ composed by the most revered Paramcharya of Kanchi. It was to become M.S. amma’s concluding song in many a recital. For all those who feel a spiritual mindset is unpragmatic “naam japan kaun chhod diya?” is an eye-opener. Her rendition of the Ganesha Pancharatnam is the best way to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi. No one can miss the inexhaustible sweetness of SriVallabhacharya’s Madhurashtakam when rendered by our beloved M.S.Amma.
As for her popularisation of Tallapaka Sri Annamacharya’s kritis I have no words to express my gratitude and admiration. It is said that Annamayya has written the songs and mentioned the Raagam but not the style in which the songs were sung by him. It is my humble opinion that if he were to come back to earth, he would be more than happy with the rendition of the songs which he composed in moments of divine inspiration. Annamayya is a guiding light in the ocean of Vishnu Bhakti; his songs encapsulate the very essence of the word bhakti! M.S. amma is Bhakti in human form. When the latter sings the songs of the former what else can result except an inexhaustible fountain of devotion which can save us from the spiritual dehydration so characteristic of modern life.
I can go on and on till the keyboard breaks and my fingers hurt and still feel that my objective of paying a tribute to M.S.Amma (I have refrained from using any titles because of her immense personal importance to me) remains unfinished.
I have thought of a simple way of summing up her life!
M- MUSIC
S- SELF-SACRIFICE
THAT’S MS FOR ME!
Her compassion and service to all noble causes are so well known that I hope Narayana confers those virtues upon all those who listen to her songs including myself.
Music when sung by extremely talented musicians is BHOGA or pleasure of the highest order.
Music when sung by M.S.SUBBULAKSHMI is YOGA (a means for uniting with the absolute!).
By Medha Wadadekar- Prithvi
RCP Aundh
