M. S. Subbulakshmi: Divine singer
Hindustani classical vocalist, Begum Parween Sultana writes how Bharat Ratna-awardee, M. S. Subbulakshmi, from film to fashion bettered every aspect of India’s cultural life.
Indian singer M. S. Subbulakshmi (1916-2004)
ISSUE DATE: Aug 30, 2021 | UPDATED: Aug 21, 2021 16:03 IST
I first met M.S. Subbulakshmi some 30 years ago. I was performing to a packed house in Madras, and I had no idea she was sitting in the front row. Even though she was nearly 80 and would find it hard to walk, I remember her coming to my green room with her husband. She hugged me as soon as she saw me. Subbulakshmiji didn’t speak much English but she kept using the words “wonder” and “wonderful” to describe my performance. I had tears in my eyes. It felt like I was meeting my mother.