The article on MB Srinivasan in Vol. XXXV No. 13 (October 16-31, 2025) has seen a lot of responses and we are reproducing a few here.
A great human being
As a sishya of the late MB Srinivasan for 18 years (1970-88), I have fond memories and feel blessed to have been closely associated with him. He was kind, sympathetic, affectionate and caring. I learnt from him not only music, but, also great values in life. He lived by example to be honest, humane, unbiased, to stand up against injustice and fearlessly fight for rights, as mentioned in the article. He was very humble, and appreciated and encouraged the creative works of others.
In short, he taught us members of his Choir, to be good human beings. There are several instances and anecdotes that remain etched in my memory.
One such is when he asked me to fill in his cheque (as he was busy composing) for Rs. 137.50 in favour of “The Director General, All India Radio, New Delhi”. Curious to know about the odd amount, on my query he replied that he had served as a judge in a music competition conducted by AIR in Delhi for four days. Having stayed with a friend he had waived the costly accommodation offered to him by AIR. He was paid the two-way flight charges, and the local conveyance of 550 rupees for four days. However, on one of the days he had been picked up and dropped by his friend. Therefore, Sir told me he was returning the amount of Rs. 137.50, being a day’s conveyance paid in excess. So much for his honesty!
On another occasion, I was moved by one of his many philanthropic deeds that I witnessed. One evening while I was in his house I happened to answer the door bell. I saw an unkempt man in his sixties in a soiled dhoti, standing with a smart young boy in his twenties, wanting to see MBS. Sir came out and greeted them in Telugu. When the old man told him something, Sir let out a victory cry and invited them inside. Zahida Aunty (Mrs. MBS) served tea for all of us, but both father and son refused to sit. Meanwhile, Sir went to his room and brought a very elegant suit along with a couple of beautiful ties. He gave them to the boy, and hugged both of them. The old man was visibly moved. Sir wished the boy the very best and advised him to take care of his father. Both of them were in tears as they thanked Sir profusely before leaving.
Curious to know what was happening I asked Zahida Aunty. She took me aside and told me in a whisper: “The old man, living in abject poverty, is the only player of an almost extinct traditional percussion instrument of Andhra. Vasu (as Aunty addressed MBS) helped in educating the boy right through his school and medical college. Now, that he has completed his MBBS course, Vasu has gifted his only suit as a gift for the boy to go and receive his degree at tomorrow’s convocation.”
On noticing Aunty briefing me, Sir frowned at her for telling me all this. He was the perfect example of the Tamil saying that even the left hand shouldn’t know of what the right hand gives! Sir further told me strictly not to publicise this. But, how can I not share such noble deeds for us to know the greatness of my Guru MBS! This is but one of several anecdotes that reveal what a great human being MBS was.
D.R. (D Ramachandran)
Artistic Director, Madras MBS Choir
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PC Ramakrishna conducting a workshop in the USA.
My experience with MBS Sir
As a school kid in the late 1970s, I used to hero worship MBS Sir. Who wouldn’t adore him for the way he interacted with students and praised them lavishly for synchronised singing as a group? What joy the songs used to give us children for their simple tunes, stories told and lessons taught! Exposure to a variety of languages through the songs he composed was a bonus.
Later while still a teenager, being a part of the senior choir was a different experience. Sir’s compositions embellished with the Western harmony and the special effect it had on me as a listener and singer was a new thrill to experience. The vibrations of a perfect chord and the revelation of a song’s musicality in connection with the meaning of the lyrics caused great inclination and attachment to the new genre – Indian Choral Music created by MBS Sir.
What better way can there be to give back what you received, than by teaching what one has learnt? The way he gave importance to the diction and dynamics of a song and wrapped the entire choir in his hand with his adorable conducting skills, is something I was lucky to experience and trying to imbibe as much as possible. It’s like completing a full circle now to see the younger generation having fun singing together with confidence and commitment.
Rajashree Bhaskaran
(Member of the Madras MBS Choir and an instructor)
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Choral singing beyond borders
As I read the beautifully written article about MB Srinivasan in Madras Musings, it brought back memories of how the Madras Youth Choir (MYC – before it was renamed recently) got an opportunity to spread the founder’s message through his music to an international audience, at the Serenade 2017 International Choir Music Festival at Washington DC, USA,. Truly a matter of pride and a milestone in its journey!
With 18 choir groups from 14 countries coming together, it was a true celebration of harmony beyond borders — proving that music has no language barriers. For us it was a wonderful learning and enriching experience as we presented the magical compositions of MB Srinivasan, considered a pioneer of Indian choral music.
MYC performing in the USA.
The festival was a cultural exchange as we interacted with choir groups from places as varied as Zimbabwe, Bulgaria, USA, Northern Ireland, Latvia, Shanghai, Mongolia, Spain, and India to name a few. Besides performing, MYC also conducted four workshops including two for children where we also taught them a song in Bengali, which was received very well. Equally interesting were the workshops conducted by the other choir groups.
Concerts were held at prestigious venues throughout the Washington metropolitan area. MYC premiered a piece specially composed for the festival (a medley of seven songs) marking the birth centenary of John F Kennedy. The grand finale at the Concert Hall in Kennedy Centre was an unforgettable experience. It was the culmination of the Serenade festival and began with the different choir groups presenting a piece each. MYC showcased Mazhai the Rain Song, a six-part harmony, and arguably one of the most complex pieces in our repertoire. With lyrics penned by the legendary Subramania Bharathi, the music for it was composed by MB Srinivasan.
At the end, all the choral groups proceeded down the aisles, waving glow sticks and took the stage for the Mass Choir. It began with Greensleeves, Kennedy’s favourite song, as it gradually coalesced a range of 375 voices. The grand finale of the evening was the world premiere of the spirited Ansanm Ansanm a French song (All together we sing) by the Haitian composer Sydney Guillaume and conducted by the maestro Joshua Habermann. As we took a bow, the packed audience of 2,400 plus gave us all a standing ovation – a moment that will be embedded in our minds.
“Come Let’s Sing Together” is the motto of MYC and we experienced how the joy of singing together with other choral groups transcends cultures. During the trip, Madras Youth Choir also performed at the Murugan Temple of North America in Maryland.
S. Ram
Secretary, Madras MBS Choir
ram.jamuna77@gmail.com