Biography
Considered the foremost female exponent of classical vocal music in her era, M.S. Subbulakshmi came into the world around 1916. Nehru is reported to have bestowed the title Queen of Music upon this engaging and elegant performer. Alain Daniélou included her among the artists chosen to demonstrate the depth of Indian classical traditions in his landmark Anthologie Musique Classique de l'Inde (Ducretet-Thomson 320 C 096/7/8). On that recording she presented a Syama Sastri composition supported by violin and mridangam. Her high standing in the 1960s received additional confirmation when she joined an exclusive circle of leading Carnatic musicians featured on Richard Bock’s World Pacific label. EMI India continues to expand the body of her material available on CD. Her position within India remains beyond challenge, so any future claimant to her preeminence would need to be extraordinary indeed.
Singles