Bengaluru, Sep 16 (PTI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday described bhakti as the “living soul” of Carnatic music, sustained by a “magnificent confluence of languages” and diverse linguistic and spiritual traditions.
She was speaking at a gathering here to mark the 110th birth anniversary of the legendary musician M S Subbulakshmi.
According to Sitharaman, bhakti, which is at the core of Indian Carnatic music and has also influenced the Hindustani bhajan tradition, emerged in the South and spread to northern parts of the country during the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries.
“So bhakti in Carnatic music is the living soul of the tradition, kept vibrant through a magnificent confluence of languages. In a single concert, the diverse linguistic and spiritual traditions flow together like rivers into the ocean,” she said.
Sitharaman recalled Subbulakshmi’s rigorous musical training, humility and devotion to music.
“Her genius rested on an unforgiving intellectual discipline,” she said, noting that despite her stature, Subbulakshmi always considered herself a student of music.
Recalling Subbulakshmi’s rendition of the Mirabai bhajan “Hari Tum Haro” for Mahatma Gandhi, Sitharaman said the singer worked through the night to master its pronunciation before recording the hymn for him.
She quoted Gandhi as saying, “I should prefer to hear it spoken by Subbulakshmi than sung by anyone else.” Sitharaman also highlighted Subbulakshmi’s philanthropy, saying she donated her concert earnings to various charitable and cultural causes.
“She gave it all for wonderful causes, noble causes,” she said, recalling Subbulakshmi’s contributions to institutions and the restoration of temples and cultural sites.
Born in Madurai on September 16, 1916, into a family of traditional performing artistes, Subbulakshmi—popularly known as MS— went on to become the defining voice of Carnatic vocal music in the 20th century.
Her art transcended barriers of caste, language, region and religion, carrying her music to audiences across India and well beyond its shores.
M S was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1998, and the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974.
In 1966, she became the first Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly.
She died on December 11, 2004, at the age of 88 in Chennai. PTI AMP SSK
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