Forever a legend

WHO AM I, a mere Prime Minister, before the queen of song. That was Jawaharlal Nehru about the jewel in the crown of Indian Music.

MS. Many years have rolled by since but the legend goes on. There is now a film on the music of Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi, scripted and directed by Mr. V. Rajagopal. This is a two-hour Films Division venture that dwells on the legend. `Forever a Legend' is a biographical film with clippings of MS' soul-stirring performances.

Music is the very reason for her being and the `Bhakti Bhava' in her music is set against views of Srirangam Rajagopuram and a concert performance where she sings `O Rangasayee'.

The director says that works of brilliance were produced by MS, whose heart and soul were enveloped by the melody and rhythm of Carnatic music.

The camera pans to the lofty temple towers of Madurai Meenakshiamman Temple, then travels back to 1916 and the `Kolam- fronted house in Madurai where MS was born. to talk of her early days. MS here talks of how she came to look at music as everything. As the child artiste, `Kunjamma' as MS is also called, comes across with a tranquility that permeates the frames in the film. At one point Smt. Subbulakshmi and her late husband T. Sadasivam share a moment, enjoying the rendition of `Maragathavadivu' on the gramophone sung by the child MS.

The story of MS cannot afford to forget her zestful and captivating presence in the films `Sevasadan' and `Shakuntala', in the role of Narada in `Savitri' and the immortal Tamil and Hindi version of `Mira'. As one could expect, there are clippings from her films, particularly song sequences like the most popular `Katrinile Varum Geetham' and `Mira'.

Music and philanthropy go together for MS. Almost Rs. 2 crores mobilised from her concerts were donated for philanthropic causes.

The film traces the way MS used music to inspire patriotic sentiment during the freedom struggle and gave a vibrant effect to Subramania Bharati's songs. There are scenes from Mahatma Gandhi's death, as MS had sung at the request of the Mahatma. There is also a recording of `Aumor Jonmobhumi' by her, in Bengali.

The film was introduced at the Kalaivanar Arangam, by her secretary Mr. K.R. Atmanathan. Mr. R. Venkataraman, former President, and Mr. C.V. Narasimhan, former Under Secretary General, United Nations spoke of how music and culture were enriched by her.

By Akila Dinakar

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