Who Was the First Musician to Receive the Bharat Ratna Award?

Bharat Ratna which is India’s highest civilian award awarded to the exceptional individuals who have made the outstanding contributions for the nation. Do you know in the field of music, who was the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna?

M. S. Subbulakshmi was the first musician in the country to receive the prestigious Bharat Ratna, she was one of the greatest Carnatic vocalist in the Indian history.

She received the Bharat Ratna in the year 1998 and becoming the first musician and the first classical singer to be honored with the India’s highest civilian award.

Key Highlights

First Musician to Receive Bharat Ratna: M. S. Subbulakshmi
Year of Award Given: 1998
Music Tradition: Carnatic Classical Music
Born Date and Place: 16 September 1916, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Died: 11 December 2004, Chennai
Popular Name: “MS Amma”
Notable Achievement: She Was The First Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly (1966)

Who Was M. S. Subbulakshmi?

M. S. Subbulakshmi was one of the most celebrated figures in the Indian classical music. She was born in Madurai and she displayed the extraordinary musical talent from an early age and gave her first public performance at just eleven years of age.

She was known for her melodious voice and devotional renditions and she became a global ambassador of Indian classical music.

Her performances of the devotional compositions such as Vishnu Sahasranamam, Bhaja Govindam and Venkateswara Suprabhatam remain popular among the listeners.

When Did She Receive the Bharat Ratna?

M. S. Subbulakshmi was conferred the Bharat Ratna on 14th January on 1998 by then President K. R. Narayanan at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

This award recognized her unparalleled contribution to the Indian music and culture over several decades.

Why Was She Awarded the Bharat Ratna?

M. S. Subbulakshmi earned the honour because of her remarkable achievements in the music and public service.

Major Achievements of M. S. Subbulakshmi

Achievement Name	Year Recognized
First Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly	1966
Ramon Magsaysay Award	1974
Padma Bhushan	1954
Padma Vibhushan	1975
Bharat Ratna	1998

Her rendition of the “Maithreem Bhajatha” at the United Nations (UN) became an iconic symbol of the peace and harmony.

Other Bharat Ratna Awardees in the field of Music

After the M. S. Subbulakshmi, several eminent musicians also received the Bharat Ratna.

Musician Name	Year	Field
M. S. Subbulakshmi	1998	Carnatic Classical Vocal
Ravi Shankar	1999	Hindustani Classical (Sitar)
Bismillah Khan	2001	Shehnai
Lata Mangeshkar	2001	Playback Singing
Bhimsen Joshi	2009	Hindustani Classical Vocal