On M.S. Subbulakshmi’s 110th birth anniversary, a pan-India biopic—M.S – A Legacy On Screen—was launched at the Music Academy with starry fanfare: Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, Gowtam Tinnanuri directing, Anirudh Ravichander composing, and Kamal Haasan giving the first clap.
This op-ed asks a harder question: when does tribute become exploitation?
Arguing that M.S. was a private, spiritually oriented artist who disliked the spotlight offstage, it contends that the endless cycle of articles, statues, awards, and now a high-profile biopic risks turning her into a brand.
The piece calls for homage that honours the art—paataantharam, discipline, humility—rather than PR-heavy pageantry.
If we must celebrate, let it be through performance, archival rigour, and restraint in iconography.
Celebrate Sadasivam if you must; leave Subbulakshmi alone.
