MS Subbulakshmi's Best Kambhoji | O Rangasayee, 1970 | Tribute to my grandmother, Lalitha Shankar

Lalitha Shankar—a woman who embodied grace, innocence, and magnanimity. Her influence on me was immeasurable, not through grand gestures but through the little things—the stories she told, the quiet moments we shared. She had a presence that filled every corner of our home. In many ways, she wasn’t just my grandmother; she was my anchor, my safe space, and the first person with whom I felt a deep, personal connection. It has been thirteen years since I lost her, yet to this day, her absence remains one of the most defining experiences of my life. One of my most cherished memories is of us listening to music together. She adored MS Subbulakshmi, and her music still carries echoes of my grandmother’s love. I can picture it vividly: the afternoon light streaming through the window, the scent of fresh Malli Poo, and the two of us sitting together, lost in the magic of O Rangasayee. She would close her eyes and sway gently, her blue jaggar ettukal pestri (nose ring) shimmering, completely immersed in the music, as if she were having a conversation with the divine. Today, as I share this recording, it is more than just music. It is a memory, a tribute, and a way of keeping her close. Though she is no longer here, she lives on in the things she loved, in the values she instilled in me, and in the music that still carries the essence of her spirit. Vocal: MS Subbulakshmi Violin: VV Subramaniam Mridangam: TK Murthy Khanjira: V Nagarajan Ghatam: TH Vinayakram 00:00 - Alapana by MS Subbulakshmi 06:53 - Violin Alapana by VV Subramaniam 13:18 - Kambhoji - Sloka 14:11 - Kambhoji - O Rangasayee - Adi (2 Kalai) - Tyagaraja 23:54 - Keel Kala Neraval 27:17 - Sama Kala Neraval 28:00 - Mel Kala Neraval 28:45 - Keel Kala Swaras 30:05 - Mel Kala Swaras 31:28 - Tani Avarthanam - Adi (2 Kalai) Thanks ‪@vramanujan‬ for this recording