While taking a stroll along the beach promenade if classical music comes wafting out softly from the Ashram Gallery, stop by not just to listen to it but explore the life of the legendary Carnatic vocalist who epitomised Tamil culture in ways beyond her pristine music.
The life of the exemplary Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, popularly known as MS, who broke the social barriers and ensconced herself in the world of music, enchanting audience over generations with her voice is unveiled through posters, photographs and paintings at the Ashram Gallery. Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) has organised ‘ Kurai Onrum Illai – MS: Life in Music’ exhibition.
For those mesmerised with her voice alone, the exhibition organised to commemorate the birth centenary year of M.S.Subbulakshmi opens up to the other unknown facets of this towering personality. Beginning from her childhood, the texts and pictures printed on the posters take you through her struggles, commitment and her passion for music. Interspersed with her photographs and paintings, the exhibition introduces us to the mentors who moulded her and the songs of composers which she immortalised. Her devotion to music and god is shown in parallel to her patriotism and philanthropic activities.
One can get to know not only her first mentor and music education but also her fearless step to walk out of her home and seek help from Gandhian Sadasivam who sheltered and supported her music career and later took her as his second wife. There are posters and photographs of the star MS, who acted in four films including Sevasadanam , Savithri , Shakuntalai and Meera (in Tamil and Hindi).
She was the first ever musician to be conferred Bharat Ratna, the first Indian musician to win the Magsaysay award, the first Indian to sing at the UN General Assembly, the first woman to receive the Kalanidhi award of the Madras Music Academy and the first Indian to sing at the Edinburgh music festival.
The exhibition informs us of the lesser known facets of MS who was a trained Bharatanatyam artist, about the doctorates she received for the merit of her music even as her formal schooling was only till fifth grade and the innumerable accolades she won.
The ardent fans of MS can even learn about her love for sukku coffee, French perfume and jasmine flower.
With the grant from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the inputs for the exhibition have been taken from various sources, individuals and institutions including Madras Music Academy, Sruti Magazine, Shankar Nethralaya and The Hindu newspaper archives.
Apart from a bit of overemphasis on Kanchi Paramacharia and Shirdi Sai Baba and few repetitions of posters related to her films, Kurai Onrum Illai – MS, A Life in Music exhibition which is open till November 15, is a must for everyone to visit.
