M.S.

La reine est morte. Vive la reine!

M.S. Subbulakshmi - the queen of Indian music breathed her last day before yesterday. The Hindu, on its Saturday edition on the web reported, "We regret to announce the passing away of Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi....". Geographical boundaries, linguistic barriers and religious divisions capitulated before this queen of melody who enthralled her audience with her divine voice. So enchanted were the people of Moscow with her singing that they broke into standing ovation after her special performance there, and followed her with unceasing applause down the aisle, out of the theatre, until her car disappeared from sight. She stood out from other artistes of her age in the fact that she enchanted the intiated and the unintiated alike. Her voice evoked emotions and stirred listeners' consciences. Her syllable-pure renditions teleported people to a world of eternal bliss. I join millions in saluting the Queen of Music whose mortal remains may have been consigned to flames, but whose soul-stirring music shall continue to enthrall us forever. Let us not forget that, after all, Ars longa, vita brevis.