UN to honour late Carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi on August 15

UNITED NATIONS: Legendary carnatic vocalist (late) MS Subbulakshmi will be remembered at the United Nations next week on India’s 70th Independence Day by a performance by Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman at the world body’s General Assembly.

Commemorations to mark Subbulakshmi’s birth centenary also include a photo exhibition at the UN headquarters by India’s Permanent Mission besides the cultural extravaganza to coincide with India’s Independence Day.

“Jai Ho to echo UN? AR Rahman to perform at UN in homage to MS Subbulakshmi on India’s 70th Independence Day,” India’s envoy to the UN, ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, tweeted.

“Remembering a legend. Photo exhibition @UN in memory of MS Subbulakshmi August 15-19,” he said in another tweet.

The Indian mission is gearing up to celebrate India’s 70th Independence Day at the UN with the cultural extravaganza featuring Rahman who will become only the second Indian artist after Subbulakshmi to perform at the UN after she was invited for a performance 50 years ago.

The General Assembly hall, from where world leaders address the globe, will reverberate with Rahman’s music on the evening of August 15. Through his performance, Rahman will pay homage to Subbulakshmi, the first musician to be awarded India’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna.