M S Subbulakshmi's First Recording Marked With Special Postal Cover

The Department of Posts will release a special postal cover and cancellation on Saturday evening to commemorate the centenary of the first recording of Carnatic music doyenne M S Subbulakshmi.

The historic recording was made in 1926 when Subbulakshmi was just 10 years old. The song, Marakatha Vadivum, is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the presiding deity of the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Thiruchendur.

Anupama Devarajan, a Carnatic musician and Bharatanatyam artiste, said the song depicts the poet’s imagination of Lord Murugan as a toddler. The poet worries that the heat of the sun may cause the child's radiant, emerald-hued form to wither.

According to Devarajan, Subbulakshmi's mother recognised her immense talent and arranged for her recording session. A great veena artiste herself, she accompanied her daughter in this historic recording, which went on to become a great commercial success.

The special postal cover will be released by Ramachandra Jayabhaye, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle, at the Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium in Sion. The event is part of a celebration of Subbulakshmi’s contribution to Indian classical music.

Subbulakshmi was born in 1916 into a family of musical performers. She acted in and sang for a few films before devoting herself entirely to music. She was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.

The Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha possesses the original 1926 disc, which will be played during the celebrations. The organisation said the recording marked the beginning of Subbulakshmi’s eight-decade-long musical career and described her as its Aradhya Gayika.

As part of Saturday’s programme, 50 young musicians from across the country will be presented with the Sri Shanmukhananda Smt M S Subbulakshmi Fellowship in Music. The fellowship carries a cash award of Rs 1 lakh annually for three years and is aimed at encouraging young musicians to pursue their chosen fields.

So far, 231 young musicians have received the fellowship. The event is a tribute to Subbulakshmi's legacy and her contribution to Indian classical music.

The release of the special postal cover is a significant event, marking 100 years of Subbulakshmi's first Carnatic recording. It is a celebration of her music and her enduring legacy.

The event is also a recognition of the importance of preserving and promoting India's rich cultural heritage. The Department of Posts' initiative is a step in this direction, highlighting the significance of Subbulakshmi's contribution to Indian classical music.

In conclusion, the release of the special postal cover is a fitting tribute to M S Subbulakshmi's legacy and her contribution to Indian classical music. It is a celebration of her music and her enduring legacy, and a recognition of the importance of preserving and promoting India's rich cultural heritage.