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ATLANTA, GA — The Hindu Temple of Atlanta auditorium was filled with music lovers waiting for the event to start.
The Sankara Nethralaya Om Trust, a renowned non-profit eye institution and charitable organization from India, was hosting a three-day event to honor and celebrate the birth centenary of the legendary musician, M. S. Subbalakshmi.
The event was co-sponsored by the Carnatic Music Association of Georgia (CAMAGA).
M. S. Subbalakshmi or M. S. as she is popularly known is the most prominent cultural ambassador of India, even today. Born on September 16, 1916 in the Southern city of Madurai, she was trained in both Carnatic vocal music and Veena.
Starting her musical career at the young age of eleven, she rose to be the most well-known and accomplished Carnatic musician.
The auditorium walls were beautifully decorated with artistic pictures and posters of M.S. Subbukashami by Jagatha Govind and her team. On the first day, September 3, the event began with a brief introduction by Dr. Seshu Sarma, the Vice-President of Sankara Nethralaya, U.S. Dr. Sarma shared with the audience the significant contribution Sankara Nethralaya makes through medical research and medical education. Most importantly, she talked about the Mobile Eye Surgical Units or MESUs which go to remote villages and provide free eye care,prescription glasses and cataract surgeries on site.
Dr. Seshu Sarma’s speech was followed by a welcome speech by Dr. Rao, president of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. The chief guest of the day, Srinivasan, Consul, Indian Consulate, Atlanta, then addressed the audience.
The main event for the day was the Carnatic music concert by the renowned artist, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sudha Raghunathan. She was accompanied on the violin by Rajeev Mukundan and, on the Mridangam byThiruvarur Vaidyanathan, supported by Raman on the Morsing.
The second day of the three-day event showcased Atlanta’s local talent. The performers were young children and young adults from the Atlanta area who have been trained under several teachers in Carnatic music in Atlanta.
The last and final day of the event was highlighted by a one-hour video presentation of the life and accomplishments of M. S. Subbalakshmi put together by the renowned dramatist and director, Sri Syam Yellamraju.
The video presentation was followed by group singing of the compositions of the great composer, Sri Annamacharya, and popularized by M. S. Subbalakshmi. The performers were local music teachers and musicians. It was a fitting tribute to the memory of M. S. Subbalakshmi.
At the conclusion of the program, Dr.Sarma thanked her co-trustees of SN OM Trust, Moorthy Rekapalli and Bala Indurti and the president of CAMAGA, Dr.Ram Sriram and all the others who contributed to the event.