[MS Subbulakshmi thread] Hi folks. This is @Raaga_Suresh Today is MS Subbulakshmi's birthday. Tonight we will play some Tamil krithis popularized by MS Subbulakshmi.

Before I start playing her songs a bit of history. It will be in broad strokes so kindly adjust. In the 1950s (I think) there was a Tamil Isai movement which wanted to ensure that more Tamil pieces were sung in concerts

Lot of people were against it. If I recall right, the Music Academy was totally against it. The movement though got full support from MS and her husband Sadasivam and their close friend, Kalki Krishnamurthy.

Kalki Krishnamurthy wrote about the need to sing Tamil pieces in concert in magazines. (He was a music critic as well). MS and DKP were two of the marquee names who supported this cause. Both of them have popularized a large number of Tamil songs

Today we will look at the krithis and various Tamil pieces that MS popularized. (Of course the Tamil Isai movement had lot of other heroes like Dandapani Desikar, Somu, Sirgazhi and more. MS & DKP played an important part in spreading the popularity of Tamil krithis)

1. Let us first start with an excellent rendition of a Papanasam Sivan krithi, 'Paratpara' in ragam Vachaspathi. This krithis became famous due to a LP of MS.

Observe the precision and that wonderful atmosphere she creates. She grips us from the word go. The most charming part is 'hari ayanum kana ariya jothi', where she does a lovely neraval

Like the Carnatic music trinity, there were a Tamil isai trinity: Arunachala Kavirayar, Muthuthandavar and Marimutha Pillai. Here is a wonderful krithi of Marimutha Pillai in Yadhukula Kambhoji

This is a young MS. probably from a 78 rpm record. This is a very famous krithi and the Yadhukula Khamboji is so charming. The words, ah, they are a treat to our ears.

This krithi of another Tamil Trinity, Muthuthandavar,'arar asai padar' was made popular by MS. In the ragam Nadanamakriya. The initial virutham is a Tiruvrutpa of Valalar.

Nadanamakriya was a favorite raga of hers for the post tani pieces. It was favorite of his guru Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer as well

And what can one do when MS sings 'petra thai thanai' and finally concludes with 'namachivayanai naan maravene' except shed tears

Now we come to the third member of the Tamil Trinity, Arunachala Kavirayar. The extremely popular 'yaaro ivar yaaro'

The popularity of this krithi is due to both MS and D K Pattammal. DKP's record of this krithi was also extremely popular.

Now to another composer, Nilakanta Siva. Based on Bouli, 'Shambo Mahadeva' was popularized by MS.

Another extremely atmospheric piece. She knows how to effectively use Bowli. 'sriman narayana' of Annamayya is another excellent example of her grip on Bowli. The jarus in her voice and the tight structure she builds are amazing.

The next composer coming up is Gopalakrishna Bharathi and his popular 'sabapathiku' in Abhogi

There is a story that Gopalakrishna Bharathi and Tyagaraja met once. GB was extremely impressed by Tyagaraja's Abhogi that he immediately composed this krithi

And that extra bhakthi that MS adds to any song is something unique to her. Absolutely in control and yet the bhakthi overflows. And of course it is Tamil and that adds another dimension to it.

Let me take you to another era. The era of 1940s Tamil cinema. Here is Papanasam Sivan's 'ma ramanan' in Hindolam for the film 'Seva Sadanam', in which MS acted.

Ofcourse it is a young MS in this. The voice though is something to die for. And that grip on the krithi and assurance is so evident from that young age itself.

Another one of a young MS. The Sudhananda Bharathi piece in Poorvi Kalyani. 'jankara shruthi'

These pieces came out as a LP record earlier and later as a tape. I think I still have this tape with me

Periyasami Thooran was another composer whose songs MS sang. 'konji konji va guhane' in Khamas

The more famous Thooran number is 'Muruga Muruga' in Saveri. I will include it in the playlist

MS not only sang the standard composers but also sang pieces from Tamil literature. Devaram, Thiruvasagam, Divya Prabandham, Thirupugazh, Kamban and Illago Adigal were all sung by her. Now let us hear some of these.

The first one is the famous 'vadavaraiyai maththagi' from Silappadhigaram of Ilango Adigal.

I think she sang this in her United Nations concert. Not sure who tuned these poems. Lovely selection of ragas

Next up is Thondar Podi Azhwar's 'vandinam uralum solai' Set to Todi ragam

It is as if Thondar Podi Azhwar wrote these pasurams specifically for MS to sing them. The words so much suit her singing. An extremely emotional piece.

Now let us turn to Shaiva literature. A short but superb Thevaram Based on Nadanamakriya again

How to induce bhakthi into a piece. One more masterclass but no one can learn this from classes. It has to come from within. Observe how she sings 'pathyor pennai veithai' and ofcourse the way she concludes 'aadiye aala vayil appane'