September 16 2016, is the birth centenary of Smt M.S.Subbulakshmi (Sep 16, 1916 – Dec 11, 2004). Hers was a life of many towering achievements and among them was the concert at the United Nations in New York.

On October 7 1966, the lyrics of a hymn (“Maitreem Bhajata”) composed by the Sri MahaPeriyava for MS Amma to sing at the UN was published. It was set to music by Sri Vasant Desai. MS Amma sang it first on October 21 1966 at the Carnegie Hall, where C.V. Narasimhan presented her as the “First Lady of Carnatic Music.”

On October 23rd 1966, MS Amma suddenly lost her voice on the eve of the all important UN concert. Meditating on the Sri MahaPeriyava, she found it restored to normalcy.

Here is the video of MS Amma narrating her experience:

MS Amma and Sri Sadasivam Mama’s unparallel bhakthi towards Sri MahaPeriyava is known to all. Dr Veezhi Mama narrates a small incident here:

MS Amma Article Courtesy:

• Tribute to MSS
• United Nations

Sankara Nethralaya’s Tribute To MS Amma

Carnatic vocalist Smt Sudha Ragunathan will perform at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on October 2 2016 from 10:00 am – 12 noon, where she will pay a musical homage to M.S. Subbulakshmi on her birth centenary. The concert will commemorate the legendary Carnatic singer’s UN Day concert, performed at the same venue in 1966 exactly 50 years back.

This concert and six others in various cities in the U.S. and a performance by Zubin Mehta and Anoushka Shankar, accompanied by the New York Philharmonic orchestra on November 5 at the Lincoln Centre, New York, are part of Sankara Nethralaya’s efforts to pay tribute to the Carnatic legend.

It will also be a fund raising effort to pay for 3,000 free cataract surgeries organised by Sankara Nethralaya, India and Sankara Nethralaya Om Trust, USA.

Message From Sankara Nethralaya

Dear all,

Sankara Nethralaya would like to invite you to an exciting program, “ Voice for Vision” organized by Sankara Nethralaya, Leading Eye Institution in India. “Voice for Vision“ is an unforgettable musical homage to Bharat Ratna, Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi on her Birth Centenary by Padmabushan Awardee, Smt. Sudha Raghunathan on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 10 AM at United Nations. One of the Patrons of the hospital, who supported the community efforts of Sankara Nethralaya, was Bharat Ratna, Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi, the foremost exponent of Carnatic Music of the 20th century. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award given in India and it means Gem of India.

The year September 16, 2015 to September 16, 2016 is the Birth Centenary of Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi. We at Sankara Nethralaya would like to pay our tributes to this great person who epitomized the spirit of philanthropy. To celebrate the centenary year, Sankara Nethralaya, India and Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust (SN OM Trust USA) are organizing, “Voice for Vision” Our endeavor is to perpetuate the name of not only one of the greatest musicians India has produced in the last century but one of the great souls who lived a life of philanthropy and goodwill for all humanity. On this occasion we would like to perform 3,000 free surgeries to the needy and poor all over India. Requested donation per attendee to sponsor a surgery is $65.00. All donations are tax deductible. Details are attached.

We invite you and your families to the Grand Carnatic Music Concert by Padmabhushan awardee and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt. Sudha Ragunathan at United Nations on October 2, 2016, Gandhi Jayanthi Day, from 10 AM to 12 Noon. This will be the second Carnatic Music concert at United Nations.

This is NOT A TICKETED EVENT. IT IS BY INVITATION AND REGISTRATION ONLY for the patrons of Sankara Nethralaya. Participating in the once in a life time event will be a great Tribute to Bharat Ratna, Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi and Carnatic Music.

Admission passes to the concert is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to the donors. We need to submit the Names, Gender, Phone Numbers and Email IDs for each attendee, to UN by September 15, 2016.

Please make your generous donation to and mail to Sankara Nethralaya, care of K.G Venkataraman, 10710 River Road, Potomac MD 20854 or visit http://sankaranethralaya.org and donate. Please let us know the number of admission passes you would need. Looking forward to seeing you at the concert. If you have any questions, please call at 301-646-1232.