After her photographic tribute to the legendary vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi, Vidya Balan has shared a BTS video of the photoshoot today. The video shows Vidya getting the finishing touches on her makeup and reviewing her shots on the monitor. For the photoshoot that she did to celebrate the Bharat Ratna recipient’s 108th birth anniversary on September 16, Vidya slipped into some of M.S. Subbulakshmi’s iconic looks, recreated by costume designer Anu Parthasarathy.
Calling her the ‘original style icon’, Vidya had shared how her dream of starring in an M.S. Subbulakshmi biopic was realised through this photoshoot. Costume designer Anu Parthasarathy connected with M.S. Amma’s family, and had the saris woven; even the nose pins and diamond earrings were custom made.
Dressed in M.S. Subbulakshmi’s signature double nose studs set in diamond, high bun with gajra and double bindi, Vidya wrote: ‘This feature showcases four saris that M.S. Amma wore and popularised between the 1960 and the ’80s and is a portrayal of M.S. Amma’s concert persona.’ Both Vidya and Anu expressed their gratitude to Mala Chandrasekhar, renowned flautist and granddaughter-in-law of M.S. Subbulakshmi, for her guidance.
The first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna and the Ramon Magsaysay award, M.S. Subbulakshmi often performed in blue Kanchipuram silk saris. In her tribute, Vidya dons the blue that MS was known for — a rich, iridescent hue forever linked with the legendary singer’s captivating performances.
“If the rich, vibrant and unique sarees were one half of M.S. Amma’s appearance, the other half was the simple accessory ensemble including the traditional kumkumam and vibhuti on her forehead, the two distinctive nose pins on either side, and the mallipoo (jasmine) adorned kondai (bun),” wrote Vidya in her caption. She also added that M.S. Amma always wore two bangles on her right hand.
Honoured as the ‘Nightingale of India’ by Sarojini Naidu, M.S. Subbulakshmi gave her first public performance at the age of 11. Among her many accolades were the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. After the death of her husband Kalki Sadasivam in 1997, M.S. Subbulakshmi retired from public performances, with her final concert held the same year. She passed away on December 11, 2004, at the age of 88.
