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Icons of Tamil Nadu #4
M.S. Subbulakshmi - Queen of Carnatic Music
M.S. Subbulakshmi was born to sing. Her unchallenged position in the realm of Carnatic music was the result of great talent combined with hours of practice and utter devotion. Subbulakshmi began her formal training in music when she was five. Her first stage performance was at the age of eight. It is said that the young Subbulakshmi would practice her ragas even between household chores, keeping time to the most intricate and complex beats of Carnatic music. M.S. Subbulakshmi used music as an instrument to motivate people, especially during the freedom movement. Her music inspired all those who heard it and she was celebrated and acclaimed wherever she went. In this graphic biography, Amar Chitra Katha pays tribute to the legend and her invaluable contribution to the world of music.
32 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2025
While everyone is aware of how incredible she is, nobody remembers or even knows about her estranged dynamics with her birth family.
Even at a very young age she has embraced life as a step mom and had gone above and beyond to give away a lot to charity. This is definitely none of my bussiness, but still this thought popped up in my head and I am logging it. While there is no "record" on why she never had biological children, since contraception was not popular in India during 1940s I am naively going to assume that MS Subbu never had sex with her husband.
Physically, with all the performances and travel I guess neither had energy. Besides, they already had children from their first marriage. On top of that, they also adopted yet another child because their hearts are made of love. So, makes perfect sense.
More than an individual I like MS Subbu and Kalki Sadasivam as a couple. They are supportive of one another. There are and have always been plenty of good men, just that they are not as loud.
Definitely a good read.
Even at a very young age she has embraced life as a step mom and had gone above and beyond to give away a lot to charity. This is definitely none of my bussiness, but still this thought popped up in my head and I am logging it. While there is no "record" on why she never had biological children, since contraception was not popular in India during 1940s I am naively going to assume that MS Subbu never had sex with her husband.
Physically, with all the performances and travel I guess neither had energy. Besides, they already had children from their first marriage. On top of that, they also adopted yet another child because their hearts are made of love. So, makes perfect sense.
More than an individual I like MS Subbu and Kalki Sadasivam as a couple. They are supportive of one another. There are and have always been plenty of good men, just that they are not as loud.
Definitely a good read.
March 30, 2020
Through her music-she will continue to enthrall with its purity and devotion!
I am happy to have read this book and to get a glimpse of Madhurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi ji's life. It impressed me that despite her huge success, she always had a teacher, which I can definitely learn from.
She and her husband were donating wealth money that they got through concerts to the people in need and charity despite living frugal life.
Thank you Amma for the music that you created.
I am happy to have read this book and to get a glimpse of Madhurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi ji's life. It impressed me that despite her huge success, she always had a teacher, which I can definitely learn from.
She and her husband were donating wealth money that they got through concerts to the people in need and charity despite living frugal life.
Thank you Amma for the music that you created.
April 14, 2020
Such a brave a heart took a beautiful decision to achieve what she wanted, In general speaking what she loved to do. ACK beautifully illustrated the story and it is easy go read.
March 13, 2023
A biography on the best female singer of India
It was the best book and if anybody wants to know about the musical industry before the 1980s I want to recommend this book.
It was the best book and if anybody wants to know about the musical industry before the 1980s I want to recommend this book.
May 24, 2024
Being a student of carnatic music I was inspired by the life of MS Subbulakshmi
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews