Veenai Shanmughavadivu, mother of MS Subbulakshmi

A casual browsing of old Kalki issue (1962) prompted this post – in fact an obituary of a renowned Veena vidwan ! 

kausalyāsuprajā rāma pūrvā sandhyā pravartate

uttiṣṭha naraśārdūla karttavyaṃ daivamāhnikam 

Oh Rama! Kausalya’s auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. Oh, best of men! Wake up; the divine daily rituals have to be performed. 

The opening verse of Valmiki Ramayana – the VEnkateshwara Suprabatham, composed in 14^th century is recited every morning at holy Thirumala Tirupathi temple – a specific recording rendered in mellifluous voice is played in millions of homes daily.   

The recording is that of MSS [Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi] (1916-2004) the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna,  and also the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award in 1974. She was the first Indian to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. 

MS Subbulakshmi fondly Amma was born on 16^th Sept 1916.  His father was an advocate – Subramaniya Iyer.  Her mother was Madurai Shanmugha Vadivu, an accomplished veena player.  MSS brother Sakthivel was a Mridungam player.  The family lived in a modest dwelling in Madurai from where MS Subbulakshmi reached greater heights.   

Here is a scanned copy of the obituary of M Shanmughavadivu, mother of the famous MS Subbulakshmi.  

Regards – S Sampathkumar
16.2.2025