She was a Carnatic legendary singer who sang in Europe, North America and at the United Nations General Assembly. Who was she?
ABeghum Akhtar
BLata Mangeshkar
CAsha Bhosle
DMadurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi
Answer:
D. Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi
Read Explanation:
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi: A Carnatic Virtuoso
Pioneering Global Performances
- She was a renowned Carnatic vocalist, often referred to as the 'Queen of Song'.
- She achieved the distinction of being the first Indian musician to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London in 1963.
- Her international concerts extended to Europe, North America, and Africa, significantly popularizing Indian classical music globally.
- A significant milestone in her career was her performance at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, marking a historic moment for Indian music on the world stage.
Awards and Accolades
- She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1998.
- Earlier, in 1974, she had been honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often dubbed the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'.
- Her contributions to music were recognized with numerous other awards, including the Padma Bhushan (1975) and the Padma Vibhushan (1990).
Key Biographical Details
- Born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Her mother, Shanmukhavadivu, was also a musician, which influenced Subbulakshmi's early musical training.
- She was a devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi and sang his favorite hymn, 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram', on several occasions, including at Gandhi's funeral.
- Her renditions of devotional songs, particularly the 'Venkateswara Suprabhatam' and the 'Vishnu Sahasranamam', became extremely popular.