September 16 marked the 100th birth anniversary of celebrated Carnatic vocalist, Dr MS Subbulakshmi. As Sion’s Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha hosted her centenary celebrations, we take you on a photographic tour through the life and times of the legendary songstress
MS Subbulakshmi
Carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi seen during her younger years with her mother’s veena in 1945.Pic Courtesy/ Shanmukhanand Archives
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A light-hearted moment of MS trying her hand at photography. Pics courtesy/shanmukhananda archives
Seen with actress Vyjayanthimala Bali (second from left), singer Lata Mangeshkar, and her daughter Radha Viswanathan
She was a devotee of Mahaswami of Kanchi Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. She is seen praying before his image at her home.
Seen on the day of her wedding with Kalki Sadasivam
The singer received honorary doctorate from five universities and was also the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Seen here with then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
Known for her singing prowess, MS also acted in a few, popular films. Seen here in a still from the film Meera (1945), for which she also sang all the songs, and after its success, it was dubbed in Hindi for a wider release too.
Lord Mountbatten towers behind MS, as Edwina Mountbatten (with garland) and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (third from left) share a frame
Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha organised the birth centenary celebrations of the musician last week. In her memory, the institute gives two annual awards to music teachers and talented young musicians every year. This year, the Sri Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi Pracharya Award was conferred upon her daughter Radha Viswanathan by Governor of Maharashtra, Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao. The singer (right) looks at the bust of her mother located at the institution; she accompanied MS for most of her concerts and recordings.