Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, a celebrated and iconic Indian Carnatic singer, entered the world on September 16, 1916, in the vibrant city of Madurai, situated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Her remarkable and storied career, spanning nearly a century, has left an enduring and profound impact on the realm of Indian classical music, forever changing the landscape of the art form. Subbulakshmi was a true pioneer, making history by becoming the first musician in India to be bestowed the esteemed and coveted Bharat Ratna, the country's most distinguished and prestigious civilian honor.
She was a pioneering Indian musician who made history by becoming the first of her countrymen to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award, commonly regarded as Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize, in the year 1974.
The citation for this esteemed honor, which is often bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in their respective fields, read: "Exacting purists acknowledge Srimati M. S. Subbulakshmi as the leading exponent of classical and semi-classical songs in the carnatic tradition of South India."
Subbulakshmi's extraordinary accomplishments transcended her remarkable musical abilities, as she embarked on a trailblazing journey, thereby becoming the first Indian artist to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, a historic milestone that marked her status as a true pioneer in the world of music.
