MSS – Saga of steadfast devotion to music
19 Sep 2009 9 Comments
in Music Tags: BK Chandrashekhar, carnatic music, Edinburgh music festival, gayana samaj, Governor HR Bharadwaj, Gowri Ramanarayan, MR Srinivasan, MSS, Mutthur Krishnamurthy, Radha Vishwanathan
It was a befitting gift to Bharat Ratna Suswaralakshmi Subblakshmi, our MS amma on her 93rd birth anniversary, as Bangalore Gayana Samaja, in association with Suswaralakshmi Foundation for classical music and performing arts released the book titled ‘‘MS and Radha – Saga of steadfast devotion’ written by MSS’ grand niece, Gowri Ramanarayanan. His Excellency Governor H R Bharadwaj did the honours. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were MRV Prasad, President, Bangalore Gayana Samaja, who made the welcome address, Mutthur Krishnamurthy, director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, BK Chandrashekhar, former president of the legislative assembly and M R Srinivas, former member of the Atomic Energy Commission.
The evening commenced with the national anthem that was sung by MSS in 1963 at Edinburgh Music Festival. The richness of her voice sends tremors down your body, demonstrating what purity – austerity can do. I was quivering, with tears flooding down my face. Collecting myself, I sat down, promising myself that I will listen to more of her. One emotional moment was followed by another – this time, a little more emotionally charged. MSS’ great grand daughter – a tiny-little, cute, smiling, cheerful cherub named Soundarya was to render the invocation. Until then, she was strolling about the stage, jumping onto her grandmother-Radha Vishwanathan’s lap, smiling ear to ear at every person who pinched her chubby cheeks and tried to make baby talk with her. It was a pleasant surprise that this four year old wonder was to sing. Her sweet baby voice sent the audiences doting over, whispering – its no wonder; she will become like MSS one day; being MSS’ great granddaughter, it is natural to her! Most were smiling with deep, deep affection for the angel – she carried the rich legacy in her genes, the world adored her so much, while she still does not know who she really is, what struggles MSS really had braved.
The writer, MSS’ grand niece, Gowri Ramnarayanan could not make it, owing to illness, but MSS’ grandson, Srinivasan who was the master of the ceremony, read out her speech. He conveyed that the book was a realisation of her intimate experience with MS Amma, as an accompanying vocalist in the 1980s and the 1990s and as her grand niece, who has witnessed MSS go through hardships with tremendous resolve and faith in the power of the Almighty. For MSS’ devotees, every person associated with MSS is held in high esteem, and those from the family are akin to Gods. And to see them in person, in flesh and blood, is attaining enlightenment. Reading about MSS written by her grandniece is sacred. Gowri Ramnarayan is awarded such a status – of a divine messenger.
The first copy of the book was gifted to Sitalakshmi Venkatesan, who was Radha Vishwanathan’s neighbour and friend. She, in all her humility simply wanted to buy the book and contribute her own bit to the Suswaralakshmi Foundation. A portrait of MSS with folded hands, like she were welcoming her beloved ones, was distributed to everyone on the dais, while those in the audience sat in envy – quite audibly. And, a perfume called ‘Shankarabharanam,’- named after MSS’ favourite raga, also her favourite perfume, was gifted to Mrs Bharadwaj. Srinivasan explained that, like music comprises seven basic notes, so does this perfume – it comprises seven different fragrances – woody rose, angel wing jasmine and ashwagandha for the notes Shadja, Rishabha and Gandhara, mallige and lalchitrak for the note Madhyama, and fresh thorny chrysanthemums and violet sage, for the notes Panchama, Daivatha and Nishadha.
It was a memorable, adrenaline rushing evening for those who were witness to the event, since a family of three generations after MSS were on the same dais. The auditorium, packed with mostly the loyal MSS fans and old Bangalore folks had promptly occupied the front seats of the auditorium well before time, with the programme list in hand, eagerly waiting for the legend’s legacy to arrive. There was a roarig applause, when Radha, clad in a bright coloured silk saree and a big round red bindi adorning her forehead, was brought on the stage on her wheelchair. She was beaming – several tones fairer than she was, when much younger, and paralysed on her right – crippled for life, unable to put the taalam to her raagas. She sat smiling, eyes gleaming as audiences waved at her, fell at her feet and clicked numerous pictures of her and her grand daughters’. It was clearly the photographers’ field day.
As the members on the dais recalled their experiences, the audiences were enthralled with the soulful journey they seemed to be undertaking. Having read the book, Mutthur Krishnamurthy noted, “MSS’ personality has been extremely well produced. The brilliant foreword written by Pt Ravishankar makes you nod in agreement as you read the pages furtheron. I advise you all to please buy this book. Reading about this ethereal, divine beauty is elevating to the senses.” And he recalled every incident that had brought him and his family closer to the great MSS.
M R Srinivasan, the renowned scientist commented, “Subbalakshmi was a great unifier. Through her idiom of music, she brought together the divisive forces of our country. By merely listening to her, one is transformed into a noble human being.” Each time a dignitary spoke, he had to mention the ethereal quality of her innocent, malice-free, divinely radiant, immensely beautiful visage.
Talking about the uniqueness of the book, BK Chandrashekhar pointed out, “The book has some very interesting, rare pictures of MSS with prominent personalities. Everyone talks about her willingness to unify. This book points out that Sadashiv, her husband, was largely instrumental in transforming her from the depressing caste and community that she came from, and the orthodox values that were instilled into her as a child.”
The Governor, adding some humour said, “When I saw the diamonds she wore, I thought, she is indeed Lakshmi. But her single-minded devotion to music made her Lakshmi in every sense, we all know.” Ahem, yes yes Guvji, we, in teh audience agreed.
On that note, the concert of the evening commenced, with Vidushi Radha Vishwanathan performing after a hiatus of 15 years, mainly due to her illness. Accompanying her were Aishwarya (MSS’ 13-yr old great granddaughter for vocal accompaniment), CN Chandrashekhar on the violin, HS Sudhindra on the mridangam and Dayanand Mohit on the ghatam.
Just as they commenced a krithi on Lord Ganesha, proceeded to Sri Venkateshwara and then to Srimannarayana – a krithi in praise of Lord Vishnu, one of MSS’ most popular renditions, then to Meenakshi mem oddanthe, Jagadhodhaarana and so on, the audiences were nodding, looking at the large garlanded MSS’ picture every now and then, as if to say, wish you were here, we miss you, please come back! All of MSS’ popular, most often rendered, widely appreciated and greatly remembered krithis were presented.
Although Radha Vishwanathan was MSS’ daughter(Oh My God, what a relation to be in, with MSS), she wasnt the heir to MSS’ legacy. Not her, not her granddaughter.
A good friend of mine, looking at me regret said, “Once, a poet’s wife strived to compete with the poet’s poetry. And failure she encountered. She put her heart to it many a time but fail she did.”
They say..