They packed the auditorium of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Sunday morning. To pay tribute to M S Subbulakshmi they knew in their own ways.
And beaming at them all, in the centre of an off-white backdrop on the stage was a MS we all knew - a warm smile, beaming face, angelic. A rare photo that photographer Yoga had printed for this occasion.
M. Murali of Sri Krishna Sweets held flower petals in a basket and offered them to all those who walked up barefoot. It was a simple anjali which began with music and song led by Bombay Jayashri, Sudha Raghunathan, S. Sowmya and Lakshmi Shankar.
For some who offered their respects, it was a special experience. They went down on their knees and offered salutations. Some even stretched full length before the glowing MS portrait.
And as the first of the personalities began to offer tributes, news of the 'Tsunami' waves that struck the San Thome and Foreshore Estate coastline and wiped out the kuppams, came in. Those who got anxious slipped out of the hall.
The others remained to listen to personal reflections on MS. Some moving stories that Seeta Ravi of 'Kalki' magazine and journalist Gowri Ramnarayan, MS' grandneice, shared on stage.
In the lobby, an exhibition of pictures of MS was put up. Collections of Yoga and from 'Kalki' magazine.
And to wrap up the anjali, 'Vintage Heritage' screened a few film songs starring MS. And as the audience stood up in silence for a final tribute to a great artiste, people continued to stream in to offer their respects. In silence.
