One of the legendary vocalists of whom India is proud is MS Subbulakshmi. renowned for her outstanding contributions to Carnatic music. The gifted Bollywood actress Vidya Balan recreated some of the singer's most famous fashion statements in honor of her 108th birthday. Her two nose pins, the manner she wore her saree, and other details. At the age of eighty-two, Indian vocalist Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi received the Bharat Ratna in 1998. It is the highest civilian award in India and is recognized for extraordinary service and high-caliber accomplishment. Known for her incredible voice and frequently referred to as the “Queen of Songs,” Subbulakshmi was the first musician to be awarded the title.

(Source: Google Images) 

Are you aware of the background of MS Subbulakshmi's color? 

(Source: Google Images) 

She’s the only singer with a color named after her. As the story goes, the singer entered a store holding a blue thread and requested to have a whole saree woven from it. Later on, this was referred to as "MS Blue." Vidya Balan recreated a Subbu moment in her iconic ‘MS Blue’ visuals.

M.S. Subbulakshmi was born in 1916 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, then part of the Madras Presidency. Her grandmother was a violinist, and her mother, renowned veena musician Shanmukavadiver Ammal, was a virtuoso player. 

Early in life, Subbulakshmi started studying Carnatic music under the tutelage of Carnatic musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Before her rise to international fame as a vocalist, M.S. Subbulakshmi had some experience in the film industry. She starred in the critically and commercially successful 1938 Tamil film Sevasadanam. She was showered with praise over a large portion of the 20th century. She was asked, "Who am I, a mere Prime Minister before a Queen, a Queen of Music?" by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

(Source: Google Images) 

Speaking to The Hindu, Vidya Balan recalled how she was raised hearing MS Subbulakshmi's voice while her mother played “Suprabhatam” every morning. “Her voice still wakes me up every day. I consider MS Subbulakshmi to be a spiritual encounter.”  For Vidya Balan, it has been a true labor of love, and she considers it a privilege to pay tribute to her in this way.

In honoring M.S. Subbulakshmi's legacy, Vidya Balan's tribute not only celebrates the singer’s iconic style but also rekindles the timeless magic of her divine voice that continues to inspire generations.