MS - Memories

[kvchellappa]

Dr VKV suggested that we invite posts about the anecdotes concerning MS or any recordings about her. I hope we get a rich fare.
I attended the function when SRSM conferred on her Narayanaswamy award (inaugurally, Kumudam commented that the award got embellished by being conferred on her). Sri Kasturi Rangan recalled how his mother used to get great solace listening to MS songs. Atma mentioned how Sri Sadasivam turned down all requests for functions to honour MS (I think she had some problem and to him MS was more important than anything else). I believe he said, 'Even if it is in the pyol (thinnai) of the house, I do not want.' Atma remarked that the thinnai function had come about. The function was held in the front-yard of Kotturpuam house (Sivam Subham). MS spoke briefly and she said, 'Enga AtthukkArar enna sonnAro athai nAn pannindirunthen.' There was all pride and satisfaction in her when she said it. Those who lament that she was ruled over may have to rethink. Oruyir Erudal had a living example in the couple.

[kvchellappa]

I noted this in my diary on Jan 19, 2007:
Pothigai was honouring people who achieved in various fields. One Savithri Vaithy was honoured for her old age home. Sobhana was rendering a recital in Karnatic music on the lighter side. She sang Katrinile varum geetham. Savithri recalled how MS came to the old age home and gave a two-hour performance. At the end, she was taken round the home. One eighty-year old woman who was visually challenged offered to sing a song. She sang Katrinile and at the end said that MS had sung the song. MS was moved and held the woman’s hand and revealed herself to her with moist eyes.

[Aditto]

In December 2004, as a part of some activity in English class, we were asked to present a succinct and short bio on any famous personality and present before the class. I was wondering on whom should I be preparing this bio. That is when MS reached Manidweepa to sing for Lalita Parabhattarika. A lot was written in all the papers about MS and I need not reiterate those praises, stories and tales. I started reading about her and I came to knew that she is the one whom I grew up listening to. She is the one who captured my heart and soul by her rendition of Kanchadalayatakshi which I listened to from the Kamakshi Suprabhatam Cassette in my relative's house. She is the one who sang all those beautiful songs which were played to me when I fell ill from typhoid ; the songs are from Balaji Pancharatna Maala. I started purchasing all the cassettes of MS from the music shops. I started buying books on her. I made friends with some nice people in music forums who became my extended family - the topic of discussion being MS. I started listening to Music because of MS. Reading about MS only opened doors to the music of Semmangudi (her guru), GNB (acted in Sakuntalai), Chembai (incident about Chembai playing violin and the garland incident), DKP & MLV (the female trinity), Nedunuri (for MS saying that he deserves Sangeeta Kalanidhi for that Naanaati Batuku in Revati), Dhannammal Family (because of MS being friends with them), Musiri (for being her guru and the concern he showed by singing Durusuga daily when MS fell ill). The neraval lines of the songs Ennaganu Rama Bhajana, Ramanatham Bhajeham, Sri Kamakoti Peeta Stithe, Ksheerasagara Vakshathala Nivasineem, Paalinchu Kamakshi, Sarojadala Netri, Todi Swarajati became my prayers to the Almighty. I adore her so much that, I search for her photos, videos and articles after I get up and before I sleep. My face lights up when I see one and I feel sad when I do not see one. I constantly put mails in rasikapriya for her concert uploads. I always wish I would have been born earlier for 3 reasons : MS, Paramacharya of Kanchi, Chandrasekhara Bharati Swamy of Sringeri. I would have certainly wished the genie ; if I found one, to give me all the music of MS and enough life to enjoy it

P.S : I did not give my presentation which I prepared on MS. That chance went to a person who prepared a bio on Hitler

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Aditto: Nice heartfelt tribute from a rasika.If you get a chance please see the video on YOU TUBE of our(myself and my wife) presentation at the Cleveland Aradhana in March 29 this year, 0n MSS Symposium initiated and moderated by our VKV. I think in one of the threads (MSSpage or the Cleveland Aradhana topic) has the link. Unfortunately being a digital neanderthal I am not able to do it. The presentation was mostly our family's 6-decade association with the MSS family--family at-home pics and letters exchanged between my mother and MSAmma during their 6 decades association.

Judging from your effusive outpourings of MSAmma's famous writhes I could not but reminisce how MSAmma would have felt on reading your words.In that respect she was very much God-like)just as God always has a place in HIS heart for a true devotee,you would have earned an equal place in her heart--she was such a genuine and simple lady despite all the name and recognition she had all over the World.

I have written about this "ad nauseum "in this forum and certainly bears repetition.The sanskrit phrase 'NA BOOTH NA BHAVISHYATH" would truly epitomize the Great Lady 's life.

The reason I am repeating this is that 100 hers from now,revisionist historians would question or be skeptical whether such a noble human being with so much fame and reputation could have been so humble and rasika-friendly.

[Aditto]

Sir,

I have seen the video the day it got uploaded; because MS is my daily search I could not follow at some places because I am from Andhra and do not know tamizh much - but from context; I could understand I will play repeatedly till I get the gist or play the video to someone for translating it to me

Thanks for your kind words about how MS would feel about me Sir. I always imagine myself falling at her feet with tears of joy because at that moment I cannot possible talk. She is indeed NA BOOTHO NA BHAVISHYATHI. I was fortunate enough to go to Kotturpuram Residence.

After cienu sir said about Sree Sadasivam's remarks after the Thyagaraja Aradhana in 1984 for MS rendition of Pakkala Nilabadi ( I think this is the same Pakkala Nilabadi from the commercial video recordings), I watched it over and over again with a different perspective. Cienu sir can confirm if this is the same or not.

She is goddess to me Sir. She is Parabhattarika herself. How can she not be? When I watch Akhilandeswari Rakshamam, Devi Brova Samayamide from DD archives, Ksheera Sagara Sayana from Swaralaya Puraskaram; the way MS eyes shine, the way she folds her hands in prayer right from the slokam , the way the neraval goes, the way the words choke up a little during the neraval all are a treat a watch. Gowri garu folds hand in prayer after/during the neraval line if one could observe keenly. (This is from Ksheera Sagara Sayana). I feel that Lalita herself is present in sookshma roopa and is listening to MS and MS is seeing her and singing.

I cannot speak but choke with emotion when ever I listen to MS and think of MS.

I wish before I leave this world, I could watch at least one full fledged MS concert from 60s or 70s with Sankarabharanam and Saveri - Kamakoti Peeta Stithe.