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From a devadasi’s daughter to winning Bharat Ratna, MS Subbulakshmi dedicated her life to music
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In Short: A biopic starring Rashmika Mandanna was launched at the Music Academy in Chennai to honor the legendary musician's life and contributions.
On the 110th birth anniversary of MS Subbulakshmi, a biopic starring Rashmika Mandanna was unveiled at the Music Academy in Chennai, celebrating the life of the renowned musician.
Subbulakshmi, born in 1916 to a devadasi in Madurai, began learning Carnatic music from her mother before she could read. She retained her mother’s name, forming the initials “MS,” in keeping with devadasi practice.
Her father, Subramania Iyer, was a lawyer from Madurai who was largely absent from her life. Subbulakshmi’s musical journey was marked by her unique social standing, as devadasis were both custodians of classical arts and faced significant social disadvantage.
Subbulakshmi’s career flourished when she performed at the Edinburgh International Festival of Music and Drama in 1963, marking the beginning of her international recognition. She later withdrew from cinema to focus solely on music.
Everything between her birth and her achievements, including her voice filling the United Nations General Assembly and her charity concerts, is a testament to her dedication to music and her impact on the nation.
Born into the Isai Vellalar community, Subbulakshmi’s life was a blend of extraordinary musical access and social challenges, reflecting the complex social position of devadasis in early 20th-century India.
What's still developing
- MS Subbulakshmi was born into the Isai Vellalar community, a hereditary group of musicians and dancers that included devadasis, women dedicated to temple service through dance and music.
Sources
- The Indian Expresslink