Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Postal Department Marks M S Subbulakshmi Recording Centenary
The Indian Postal Department is honoring famous singer M S Subbulakshmi.
It will issue a special postal cover to remember her first music recording.
She made that recording in 1926 when she was only 10 years old.
The song was called “Marakatha Vadivum” and was about Lord Murugan as a child.
Her mother helped arrange the recording and played the veena.
The original record still exists and will be played at the event.
Fifty young musicians will receive fellowships to help them continue studying music.
Dr Nanditha Ravi will also receive an award for her contribution to music.
The Department of Posts will release a special postal cover and cancellation marking 100 years since M S Subbulakshmi’s first Carnatic recording.
Subbulakshmi recorded “Marakatha Vadivum” in 1926 at age 10, accompanied by her mother, according to Carnatic musician Anupama Devarajan.
The original 1926 disc, held by the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, will be played during the celebration.
The cover will be released Saturday evening at the Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium in Sion.
Fifty young musicians will receive a three-year fellowship, while Dr Nanditha Ravi will receive the Sangeetha Pracharya Award.
- Who
- The Department of Posts, M S Subbulakshmi, the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, 50 young musicians, and Dr Nanditha Ravi.
- What
- A special postal cover and cancellation will commemorate the centenary of Subbulakshmi’s first Carnatic recording.
- When
- The release and celebration are scheduled for Saturday evening; the original recording was made in 1926.
- Where
- The event will take place at the Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium in Sion, Mumbai.
- Why
- The event honors Subbulakshmi’s contribution to Indian classical music and marks 100 years since her first recording.
- First recording
- “Marakatha Vadivum,” released by the Twin Record Company in 1926
- Age at recording
- 10 years old
- Postal tribute
- A special postal cover and cancellation
- Original disc
- Held by the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha
- Fellowship recipients
- 50 young musicians from across India
- Fellowship value
- Rs 1 lakh annually for three years
- Previous fellowship recipients
- 231 young musicians
- Award recipient
- Dr Nanditha Ravi