Subbulakshmi combines the Tamil-Sanskrit *Subba* (intelligent) and *Lakshmi*. **M. S. Subbulakshmi (1916-2004)** was the **legendary Carnatic vocalist — the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna** (India's highest civilian honor, 1998). **The first Indian musician to perform at the UN General Assembly** (1966). **Her Suprabhatam recording is played at temples across South India every dawn** — millions wake to her voice.
**The greatest Carnatic singer of the 20th century.**
Subbulakshmi reduces to five — the number of first Bharat Ratna musician.