SOTD #548: Nanati Bathuku by M.S.Subbulakshmi

[bb]

Song of the Day: Nanati Bathuku by M.S.Subbulakshmi.

http://www.dhool.com/sotd2/548.html

Writing about MS seems to be an exercise doomed right from the start. Words don't seem to fall into place when any experience of listening to her music needs to be put in writing. If there is anything close to a divine experience in music, it is when we listen to her sing.

* * *

era.murukan mentioned his ten favorite songs of M.S.Subbulakshmi here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RaayarKaa ... sage/10300

The songs in that list are ones that everyone can relate to and appreciate. Here is one song that is my favorite too. Nanati Brathuku is an Annamacharya Krithi set in Revathi raagam. I don't understand the lyrics fully but the song never fails to move me.

* * *

As tributes and condolences and articles flow in, I keep searching for articles that really put across why she is adored, what was in her music that people could relate to? Appreciation is such a subjective thing. When millions fall at the feet of her voice, both the technically knowledgeable and the uneducated listener, it is interesting to see how MS was able to achieve this. Was it purely because of the "bakthi bhava" in her singing? Was it because of her pronounciation? Was it because of her personality and the radiance on her face that reflects a life of supreme content and happiness and inner peace? Was it because of the songs that she chose to sing? Was it because of the vibrancy of her voice?

Questions roll on; the answers are somewhere there, a mix of all of the above, may be.

* * *

If there is one person whose articles do quite a justice to MS and her life, it is Gowri Ramnarayanan. Check out her article "Genius of song" in Frontline here: http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/540/5 ... arayan.htm
or http://www.chembur.com/anecdotes/carnatic/ms.htm .

Her article on the making of "Meera" : http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thsc ... 7/&prd=fr&

[satish]

bb,

if you have seen the annachamachary telugu movie you might have understood this song. In the movie after listening to this song sung by his sishya annamayya understands its time for him to leave this world.

you have given the perfect SOTD with MS passing away.Very touching indeed .

[thathuvavaathi]

Semmangudi's interview - about MS...

http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/13/stories ... 991100.htm

[mythila]

I recount an incident in the pristine life of our beloved MS as told by our family friend Shri. Ra. Ganapathy [ Ra. Ganapathy is a renowned writer of bhakthi literature whose notable works include "Deivathin kural" on Kanchi Paramacharya Chandrasekharendra Saraswathy , "Annai" on Sharadhadevi.] We all know that MS was an ardent bhakthai of 2 lived/living Gods of our times , Kanchi Paramacharya Chandrasekharendra Sarawathy
and Bhagwan SathyaSaiBaba. Once Smt.Radha Vishwanathan(Sadhasivam's daughter who usually used to vocal accompany MS)
fell seriously ill and the docs had almost given up hope.The Sadashivam family rushed to their only succour at Puttaparthi with Radha in coma state. Baba summoned the family for an interview after his usual
dharshan rounds.MS was fervently praying for Baba's "karunai" to cure Radha.In the interview room, Baba was his usual cheerful self. MS and Sadashivam were dying to pour out their misery and seek Baba's
benevolence. But Baba didn't give them any opportunity. He seemed to be oblivious of Radha's precarious condition. He continued to ignore her ,lying on the stretcher and instead , chatted with MS about her
forthcoming album releases and other things, much to their anxiety. The final blow to their already weary nerves came in the form of Baba's request to MS to sing her famous and Baba's favourite song
"Kurai ondrum illai" . MS had a very tough time ,regaining her composure and heed to Baba's wish. She knew she was being tested . She closed
her eyes, prayed within herself to Baba ,completely surrendering to His divine game and sang ,tears brimming. Baba relished her song with his characteristic smile, nodding his head. After the song, Baba rose
up from his seat,went near the bed where Rada was lying unconscious. He patted Radha's cheeks as if He were waking up a sleeping child and gently reprimanded her for sleeping when MS was singing like a skylark. Miracle unfolded before them when Radha got up suddenly as if woken from a deep slumber.
Such was the divinity in MS's Naadhopasana which is considered to be a supreme spiritual saadhana and could move even the Gods.

[Murali Venkatraman]

Everytime I hear Shree Ranga pooravihara my eyes brim with tears. The line "raama..raghu raama..raama".. lacerates even the toughest of hearts. Sometimes I wonder if people were moved by the bhakthi content of her song alone since many of my friends who are uninclined towards spiritual activities are equally moved by her voice. I believe the appreciation of her art from even the non-bhakthi people came out of a compelling need to laud the supreme talent and a taste of genuine expression of her deep feelings. When MSS sang world listened since it could not afford to do anything else. I remember once listening to "shree ranga pura vihara" for over 3 hours continuously and still could not get enough.

An artist who lived truly for the art by sacrificing most of the revenue for charity. An inimitable mix of art and heart. A great human being who influenced lay and elite alike. A noble soul sent on earth as an emobodiment of music, humaneness and genuineness. Let us thank her for the way she has positively influenced our lives without her knowledge. Let us salute the queen.

[Guest]

This is one of my favorite MS songs. Every Tamilian should also listen to
MS's "Kurai Onrum Illai" penned by Rajaji. There are no words to express
how well the song sounds in her voice.

[vijay]

" If there is anything close to a divine experience in music, it is when we listen to her sing. "

bb, is that really you talking about "divine" things? :-)

[vijay]

In the articles that I have read she is being considered as an extension to the singing saints of the Bhakti cult. Probably a very apt summarization of her musical journey.

[Ragothaman]

Her 'Bhavayami Raghu ramam', 'Sri Ranga pura vihara' and especially 'Bhaja Govindham' were the path to carnatic and divinity for lesser mortals like me. The meaning of the words were superceded by expression and rendition.

Her simplicity inspite of fame, name and money should be a model for all to follow in any walk of life.

[JJ]

Mythila, I was very much moved while reading your post. Great sharing. Thanks. MS is Master of SangeethaSagaram

[Da Vinci]

I still remember vividly MS' performance during the Tamil Conference at Race course grounds, Madurai (must be 25 years before). The conference had filled the entire playground with thousands of people as could be seen only during Azhagar Festival. There was so much of noise and commotion all around the venue. MS, if I remember right, performed for a short time only, for there were other events on the stage. The moment she started singing ‘kAtrinilE varum gEtham…’ there was an electrifying effect on the audience and a kind of silence that was a mark of unconscious response and reverence for the musical genius.

She was a symbol of womanhood to many woman of her age (which included my mother), even when they weren’t fans of classical music, but who would still listen to her because of the divine charm she was born with. I used to feel as if I went to a Temple whenever I had an opportunity to listen to her live performance. She raised the status of Classical music to a very great extent among music fans who were not used to Classical music.

Blessed she was by her musical gift and blessed we were to have one like her among us.

[rajesh]

http://www.chembur.com/anecdotes/carnatic/ms.htm .

The above URL had an wonderful article about MS bringing about her dedication to music, the eagerness to learn even at the age of 79, simplicity in life, her meticulousness towards each and every aspect in life, her
contribution towards the society by means of charity, her patriotism and
humanness.

People like MS....are the born rare... in this world..

She would live among ourselves by her music...

Thanks to Dhool.com for bringing a thread like this...

[parthakrish]

Nehru once said "I am only a P.M but U are the queen(of music) talking to M.S Amma.Can there be a better garland? Yet this song set in 'Revati' sung by her will make anybody philosophical.As was rightly pointed by a listener, the song by the great Annamacharya is steeped in Bakthi and M.s.Amma sings with 100% devotion.Thanks.
Parthakrish@gmail.com
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