8226; Remember Andhra Pradesh 27 years ago? “Advance warning systems will be put in place.” Remember Orissa not so long back? “Advance warning systems will be put in place.” The fine things just keep on being put in place: and there they stick.

— Mukul Dube Delhi

Remembering MS

8226; I read Saeed Naqvi’s ‘That voice of silk and flame’ IE, December 17. I am reminded of a concert I attended. It was around 1954. The Ramakrishna Mission headquarters at Punchkuian Road, New Delhi, held the concert at the South Indian School Building near the Birla Temple to raise funds for the Library Block in their premises. Jawahar Lal Nehru was present in the gathering that consisted mostly of South Indians. I could not understand Tamil, but was enthralled by MS’s songs and bhajans. Her voice and rendition of the songs was so unique. I was uplifted by her songs to spiritual sublimation. An unusual experience of joy and peace. Only at the end of the concert did I realise where I was. Everyone was moved. Even the prime minister remarked ‘‘What am I, a mere prime minister. You are the queen of music’’.