It is 106th birthday of renowned musician MS Subbulakshmi. With continuous sadhana, Madurai Shanmukhavadiv Subbulakshmi, often known as MS Subbulakshmi, rose to the pinnacles of Carnatic music. The wake-up hymn played at most South Indian temples, Suprabhata, has made Subbulakshmi a household name even today. With Suprabhata, Srivenkatesa transformed the Indian morning into a musical hub.
There aren’t many musicians in India who have become so well-known without being recognised for their work in the background music for movies. Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi described this Vanambadi as ‘the storehouse of India’s cultural values’. Mahatma Gandhi addressed ‘Tulsi of Vrindavan’. 
Subbulakshmi, who was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai, is referred to as India’s Vanambadi. In the year 1932, Subbalakshmi made her entrance into the realm of Carnatic music. In a short period of time, it has amassed thousands of fans. In 1954, she received the nation’s highest distinction, the Padma Bhushan and in 1975 she received the Padma Vibhushan. Subbulakshmi, well known for singing Thyagaraja kirtans, additionally represented India in the UNGA.
MS Subbalakshmi started taking music education at the age of five. He sang songs in many languages of the country. It was the influence of her singing practice that Lata Mangeshkar called her ‘Tapaswini’, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan named her ‘Suswaralakshmi’, Kishori Amonkar called her ‘Eighth Sura’, which is bigger than the seven notes of music.
Even though MS Subbulakshmi, a musical marvel, passed away on December 11, 2004, at the age of 88, she continues to be revered by music lovers everywhere.
