An ode to M S Subbulakshmi, the nightingale

September 18, 2016

New Delhi, Sep 18: As a child, 'Kunjamma', as M S Subbulakshmi was fondly called, learnt to play veena from her mother and sang in the temples of Madurai but little did she know that one day she would be known as 'the Queen of Carnatic music'.mss

In her book, "Kunjamma-Ode to a Nightingale", renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, Lakshmi Vishwanathan captures some of the interesting moments from Subbulakshmi's glorious life to celebrate her birth centenary on September 16.

Vishwanathan, who knew the singer closely, says Subbulakshmi's mastery of classical ragas combined with her unforgettable screen performances made her a rare genius.

"I believe when she sang the angels in heaven seemed to dance, for such was her melodious voice," says the author while comparing Subbulakshmi to iconic opera singer, Maria Callas.

The 130-page book, published by Roli Books, speaks volumes of Subbulakshmi's journey from a little girl who loved singing to the heights of musical glory.

"Although she felt she was interpreting music, her audience felt she was creating it. Herein lay her genius. Many great artists had left their imprint on various songs.

"Subbulakshmi's uniqueness, however, lay in making the audience remember only the way in which she sang these songs," writes the author in her book.

Subbulakshmi wanted to make a name of her own in music since her childhood. She practiced everyday for long hours, strictly abiding by the rules of Carnatic music.

"... she began singing at temples and marriages but her recitals were so impressive that her reputation began to grow. The Gramophone Company of India invited her regularly to Madras to record albums," says the artist.

The singer's recording of Tyagaraja's song 'Evarimata' in Raga 'Kambodhi' became a hit with record sales and earned her the title Evarimata M S Subbulakshmi. The big break in Subbulakshmi's life came after she was invited to sing in Bombay as part of a festival.

She had to almost cancel the event since the violinist who was to accompany her declined at the last minute. But Subbulakshmi's destiny seemed to be in the city.

"The concert was re-scheduled and since all other artists left for Bombay someone would be required to escort her. A young man who loved music volunteered in spite of having a severe toothache at that time. He was a go-getter who would be useful in Bombay. He was tall and handsome T Sadasivam."

Smitten by her voice, Sadasivam decided to marry her. "The only way he could devote all his energy to this task was by marrying her. In a simple and a private ceremony they were married at the temple of Thiruneermalai, an ancient hill shrine on the outskirts of Madras," writes the author.

Sadasivam didn't want Subbulaskhmi's music to be restrained to concerts and recordings. He had the dream of taking it to the common man. And nothing could be better than the cinema.

Subbulakshmi acted in film 'Meera' at the behest of her husband and became the incarnation of the people's vision overnight.

"He was of the opinion that if Subbulakshmi wants to act in a film it could not be a mere entertainer. It would need to carry a universal message for the masses. After much deliberations she chose herself the story of Meera," Vishwanathan writes.

The fifties and sixties which marked the peak of Subbulakshmi's career and status made her the ultimate diva of Carnatic music. Subbulakshmi learnt bhajans and devotional songs from a host of masters like Dilip Kumar Roy and Srinivasan Rao Vyas.

The book speaks specifically of her immortal bhajans, sung in virtually every Indian language with singular devotion.

"Her immortal bhajans and her devotion won a place for herself in the hearts of the people- the final destination that fate had ordained for her," reads the book.

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News Network
July 18,2020

Mumbai, Jul 18: Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya Bachchan on Friday were shifted to a city hospital, almost a week after they were tested positive for COVID-19. Aishwarya, 46 and eight-year-old Aaradhya were diagnosed with coronavirus on Sunday, a day after the actor’s father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and husband Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for the COVID-19.

The mother-daughter duo was self-quarantining at home till now.

“Both Aishwarya and Aaradhya were admitted to Nanavati hospital today. They are fine,” hospital source said.

Aishwarya needed medical attention, another insider said.

Amitabh, 77, and Abhishek, 44, both are already in the isolation ward of Nanavati hospital.

Since his diagnosis, Amitabh has been regularly updating his admires about his health on social media.

“In happy times, in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol, restrictive,” the screen icon tweeted on Friday evening.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose to 98,979 with 1,228 new patients being reported on Friday.

Death toll due to the pandemic rose to 5,582 with 62 new fatalities being recorded.

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News Network
March 19,2020

New Delhi, Mar 19: Days after being diagnosed with COVID-19, 'Oblivion' actor Olga Kurylenko said that she is better as her fever has now gone.

The 40-year-old actor took to Instagram to share the health update with a picture of herself wearing a face mask.

"Hello everyone! I'm feeling better today. My fever is gone! I hear people can't figure out where I currently am. I'm in London!," she wrote in the caption.

The 'Quantum of Solace' actor also shared details about coronavirus with her Instafam.

"How do I know it's coronavirus and not just a flu? I did a test for coronavirus which came back positive. What are the medicines that doctors prescribed as treatment? NONE!" she wrote.

"I was told to take paracetamol in case my fever was too high and if I was in too much pain. However, I do take vitamins and supplements. Please note that these vitamins do NOT cure coronavirus but only help the immune system be stronger in order to fight!" Kurylenko added.

She also shared a detailed list of medicines that she is taking to deal with the condition.

The 'Oblivion' actor joined the growing list of entertainment figures who have contracted the highly contagious virus on Monday.

Other Hollywood personalities who were earlier diagnosed with COVID-19 are superstar couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. The celebrity couple has been discharged from the hospital and are under quarantine at their home.

Other celebrities that are currently battling with the coronavirus are music producer Andrew Watt, 'Game of Thrones' actor Kristofer Hivju, and actor Idris Elba.

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News Network
January 2,2020

New Delhi, Jan 2: Hoping her cinematic voice can help bring about lasting change in how society perceives acid attack survivors, actor Deepika Padukone says her latest film Chhapaak should ideally be so impactful that there won't be need for another story on acid violence.

After all, cinema is in itself such a powerful medium, Deepika told news agency ahead of the release of the film, which is based on the life of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.

The idea behind the social drama is to invoke empathy and understanding rather than paint women who have undergone the ordeal as victims, the actor, who has also produced the film, said in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"Beyond the gruesomeness, the violence and all of that, there is a story of the human spirit and hope. That's why we're telling the story," she said.

Deepika, 33, said it was a story that spoke to her and she felt pride in attaching herself to the project.

Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar and featuring Vikrant Massey, is the second mainstream film to focus on the subject after 2019 Malayalam movie Uyare starring Parvathy Thiruvothu.

"I hope we won't have to constantly tell stories on acid attack survivors for us to see change. I hope with our film we begin to see that change for ourselves as a society and for acid attack survivors.

"If we don't, then we've done something wrong as a society. Cinema in itself is such a powerful medium that hopefully just through this one film we will hopefully be able to see that kind of change and impact," Deepika said.

The actor said there was not much planning behind the decision to back the film financially.

"Sometimes certain films need a little more hand holding, a little more love and support. I felt like I would be adding a little more value as a producer.

"This is a film I'm very proud of, not just from the script point of view but even in terms of the story and its message," she said.

The film, which releases on January 10, will be Deepika's first release in two years and comes after her marriage to frequent co-star Ranveer Singh.

The actor said she used the time to creatively replenish herself.

"It was about finding a film worthy of putting out there. It's not that work at my end had stopped. I was constantly looking for scripts that challenged and excited me.

"I would look at it as time for creative fertility. It's important to nurture yourself. The work that goes on behind the scenes... most often we're constantly on a film set, but whether it's meeting with writers and directors, looking for scripts... That is also part of the creative process and that's what I've been doing."

The title Chhapaak instantly evokes the image of acid being splattered, and Deepika said the director wanted a word for the film's name that could also lend itself to a song.

"I think she said 'chhapaak', which is the sound of a splash, is something that could adapt or lend itself beautifully to a song. Perhaps, it also has to do with fluidity. So on one hand, liquid is known to take different forms, a liquid such as this (acid) can change someone's life forever," she said.

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