M.S. Subbulakshmi an unsurpassed phenomenon in Carnatic music: Vice President

Chennai, Oct 17 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that M.S. Subbulakshmi remained an unsurpassed phenomenon in Carnatic music and an epitome of grace, respected by one and all.

"MS Amma was the face of Indian Carnatic music for several decades. She captivated the hearts of billions, not only in Tamil nadu, South India or India but in the entire world," he said while addressing a gathering at the birth centenary commemoration of Subbulakshmi here, a press release said.

"Setting aside mere gimmicks and gymnastics of classical music, she delved deep into the soul of the music and brought forth the treasures from there, not only to the pundits or the elite but also to the common man," he added. 

Naidu said that the Nightingale of India by her voice rose to heights "where all differences vanished and she took us there with her". 

"Titans on the opposite sides of ideology, the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajaji, united and stood together when it came to appreciating the music that flowed in her mellifluous voice...Even Mahatma Gandhi was spellbound when he listened to her rendition of 'Vaishnava Janatho'," he said.