On September 16, 1916 classical Indian music singer M. S. Subbulakshmi was born in Madurai, India.

Considered one of India’s greatest singers of Carnatic music, she began her career as a child, releasing her first record at the age of 10. 

The origins of South Indian music are traced to prehistoric times. Musical instruments form a favorite subject for sculptors, painters and the authors of ancient Tamil and Sanskrit texts. Vocal and instrumental genres have have since coalesced into a single body of compositions and themes. These form the basis for creative elaboration and self-expression.
A brief introduction to Carnatic music – carnaticstudent This site offers an excellent dive into this unique south Indian music.

MS Subbulakshmi and the Music Academy – Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music has a brief, fascinating biography.

On October 23, 1966, M.S. Subbulakshmi performed before the General Assembly in New York for United Nations Day.  She was introduced as the First Lady of Carnatic Music. To celebrate both her 100th birth anniversary and the 50th anniversary of this extraordinary concert, the UN post office issued a special souvenir sheet of stamps. 

M.S. Subbulakshmi
Issued by UN NY in 2016

MS Subbulakshmi is one name that will be familiar to even those who may not have heard of the art form called Carnatic music. Her melodious voice, her support for charitable causes, her rendition of numerous chants, the careful career management that her husband T Sadasivam supervised; all these went into the making of a legend. The lady in question however, remained completely untouched by fame and fortune and their vicissitudes. To her the greatest joy was in singing and through it she communicated directly with godhead, leaving her listeners in ecstasy.

MS as she was popularly referred to, was born on 16th September 1916, into a Madurai-based family that was traditionally dedicated to the arts. Grandmother Akkammal was a violinist and mother Shanmukhavadivu was a veena player. The family, comprising MS, her mother, her brother Shaktivel and sister Vadivambal, all lived in Hanumantharayar Koil Street in Madurai. The modest dwelling was where many musicians came to stay when they had a performance engagement in the town. Almost all of them were enchanted by MS’ voice and taught her some pieces from their repertoire. She had formal training under Seithur Sundaresa Bhattar and Madurai Srinivasa Iyengar. Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai was a great influence as well. From the age of eight she began accompanying her mother for the latter’s veena performances and sang specific pieces. At the age of ten she cut her first disc and musicians and music aficionados praised her high-pitched voice and its total adherence to pitch.
MS Subbulakshmi – Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music

The 2024 SOD was about music too! We wandered down to Brazil to look at Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Gomes.