Ponniyin Selvan Varalaatru Peravai

vanakkam,

I have typed the first few words… then, I am lost in MS Amma’s voice
rendering ‘vandaadum solai’. Incidentally, the lyrics are by our own
Kalki!!

It is an aural treat to hear her sing. I’ve always viewed her as
angelic. She never seemed mortal to me. There was an unmistakable
‘deiveegakak kalai’ in her face.

Her head rests on a down-turned basket on the floor. Her thick,
incredibly curly hair is spread over it after the customary oil bath. As
the incense fumes rise from the live coals under the basket, the black
waves seem endless and enchanting. The face they frame turns ethereal.
Diamond sparks from ear and nose intensify the fragrant dream.

When she rises from cloudy repose, she knots her hair, tucks jasmine
flowers into its folds, sits before the Gods in the puja (prayer) room
and sings with her eyes closed, slender fingers gliding over the tanpura
(stringed musical instrument). I become even more convinced that
grandaunt Kunjamma is a celestial being. How else could she make music
which thrilled you all over?

This is the introduction to an article that appeared in Rediff. Here is
the link – http://www.rediff.com/style/1998/jan/20ms.htm

I have read a lot about how simple her lifestyle was. It must be true
that she would have made lot of adjustments. But, that is nothing
surprising given that even today, womenfolk make adjustments to suit the
menfolk. Be it father, brother, husband or even son!

It is surprising to most of us, that she remained docile, despite the
fame that made her larger than life. But, she belonged to a different
school of upbringing and thought. One of a bygone era. One, that you and
me might never even comprehend. At least not me

She was conservative to the core, convinced that a woman’s place was in
the home. She shook her head over “independent” girls, it was one of the
few English words in her vocabulary. If you reminded her that she
herself was a career woman on hectic professional tours, she would look
puzzled and say, “I just did what your Thatha (grandfather) asked me to
do. Besides, he was always with me.”

I remember a hilarious conversation between M.S and a film star
activist. “Shouldn’t women stand on their own feet?” the young woman
asked. “Of course,” M.S replied. “I’ve never done anything against my
husband’s will.” The star persisted, “But women must think for
themselves.” Grandma agreed, “In fact young women don’t think before
they act. That is why nowadays there are so many divorces.”

The star mentioned women’s rights. “The woman’s dharma is to be meek,
and listen to elders, not argue all the time. Look at television! What
vulgarity! Times have changed, become so bad,” M.S. shook her head.

Everything else apart, her voice moves one to another plane,
transcending all boundaries. Her rendition of ‘kurai ondrum illai’ has
moved me to tears, many a times.

Nehru’s words are the most befitting.

‘Who am I before the queen of song?’

swetha

Hi Swetha;
I still have your “Ethanai Kodi Inbam kondai iraiva” after a group visit to
Thanjavur. This mail is as beautiful as that one.

I would like share something about MS. My dad’s maternal grandfather,
Narayana Iyer, had the largest and only hotel in Madurai called Dhinakara
Vilas. This hotel was the most famous hotel in Madurai(during that period)
and its southern villages.
MS, when she was a child, performed her first “kutcheri” (for the want of a
better word) for an important ceremony held by “Dhinakara Vilas” Narayana
Iyer. His wife, still alive (!), remembers this quite well. She should be
coming to Madurai, from Bangalore, sometime in May, maybe i’ll ask her about
this in detail then.

Just wanted to share this trivia with you people.