M. S. Subbulakshmi: First Musician to Receive Bharat Ratna
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First Musician to Receive Bharat Ratna | M. S. Subbulakshmi (Carnatic vocalist) |
| Year of Award | 1998 (Conferred by President K. R. Narayanan) |
| Birth & Death | Born: 16 September 1916, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Died: 11 December 2004, Chennai |
| Popular Name | "MS Amma" |
| Key Achievements | - First Indian musician to perform at UN General Assembly (1966) - Padma Bhushan (1954) - Ramon Magsaysay Award (1974) - Padma Vibhushan (1975) |
| Notable Contributions | - Devotional renditions (Vishnu Sahasranamam, Bhaja Govindam) - Global ambassador of Indian classical music |
| Other Awards | - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956) - Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1968) - Kalidas Samman (1988) - Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1990) |