MUMBAI: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, paid rich tributes to the multifaceted and magnificent personality, Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi who shaped the lives of millions through her persona and mellifluous music.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the book release function, "MS and Radha - Saga of Steadfast Devotion" by Gowri Ramanarayan. While releasing the book, the Prime Minister observed that her values were all the more relevant in times such as these which are marked by strife and violence. Subbulakshmi's music represents a soothing and unifying force which India has stood for. The best homage that can be paid to this great personality is to remain faithful to those ideals and values that she stood for as her music transcended all languages and was a binding force for all Indians, the Prime Minister added.

Recalling the time he heard the divine music of M.S. Subbulakshmi as she performed before the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that even those who could not understand the language were spellbound and moved by her music which encompassed the universe. Dr. Singh said that MS had the rare privilege of receiving the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi and quoted Jawaharlal Nehru as having said after a concert by the greater singer as saying "What am I? A mere Prime Minister before the queen of emotions!"