Bollywood actress Vidya Balan paid a sartorial tribute to Bharat Ratna M.S.Subbulakshmi with a cluster of photographs that revived the glory of "the original style icon" who appearance was simple yet striking. It is her kanjivaram sarees, jasmine flowers-laden bun, kumkum and vibhuti teekas that have remained evergreen reminders of her presence in the world of fashion that have became symbolic of her in every sense of the word. Vidya Balan posted a reel on her Instagram handle that showed her playing the role of M.S.Subbulakshmi for a photoshoot along with the caption, "On her 108th birth anniversary, I feel honoured and overjoyed to be able to pay a photographic tribute to "BHARAT RATNA " M.S.Subbulakshmi (M.S.Amma) , famously referred to as The 'Queen of Music' by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and as the 'Nightingale of India' by Sarojini Naidu. This is a humble homage by @anuparthasarathy & me to the legend M.S.Subbulakshmi - The Original Style icon, who carried off with great aplomb, an appearance that was a study in simplicity , adding to the allure of her mellifluous voice.
This feature showcases four sarees that M.S.Amma wore & popularised between the 60's & the 80's and is a portrayal of M.S.Amma's concert persona.
If the rich, vibrant and unique sarees were one half of M.S.Amma's appearance, the other half was the simple accessory ensemble including the traditional kumkumam and vibhuti on her forehead, the 2 distinctive nose pins on either side , and the mallipoo(jasmine) adorned kondai(bun) ."
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Get inspired by Vidya Balan's pictorial tribute to M.S. Subbulakshmi with all you need to know about her kanjivaram sarees and the entire costume she adorned to slip into the character's skin. Here's how she recreated the look of the Indian 'queen of music'
- Joining hands with costume designer Anu Parthasarthy, Vidya Balan achieved perfection as she paid tribute to M.S. Subbulakshmi, 'the original style icon'.
- Christened the 'Nightingale of India' by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, M.S. Subbulaksmi had magnetic confidence and personality that drew people in. Her appearance was simple yet striking, to which her melodious voice added five stars.
- Vidya Balan showcased M.S. Subbulakshmi's concert persona defined by four of her kanjivaram sarees that she draped between the decades of 1960s to the 1980s.
- M.S. Subbulakshmi's style game was partially defined by her vibrant, zari border-detailed silk kanjivaram sarees. The other half was created by the simple yet powerful choice of accessories that were signature to herself.
- Vidya Balan draped the kanjivaram silk sarees with gold borders in purple and orange, teal and mustard, blue and maroon, and a midnight blue check teamed with matching half sleeves blouses that crafted M.S.Subbulakshmi's look to perfection. It actually took us a minute to realise it was Vidya Balan and not the Indian Carnatic singer reincarnated.
- In Vidya Balan's words, "M.S. Amma" wore the traditional teekas or bindis on her forehead made out of kukumamam, which is vermillion and vibhuti, which are holy ashes given to devotees as God's Prasad at South Indian temples.
- Her two distinct temple jewellery design of gold nose pins worn on either one of her nostrils added a hint of sparkle to her ensemble.
- To this, M.S.Subbulakshmi added the traditional Dravidian mallipoo or jasmine flowers that were worn wrapped around her kondai, which is a bun that she secured her hair in were very characteristic of her.
- Together with traditional South Indian temple-style gold bangles, beaded chains, matching glass bangles with each saree-clad avatar and her diamond-studded floral-shaped stud earrings, Vidya Balan literally lived and breathed Bharat Ratana M.S. Subbulakshmi.
- The final touch of characterisation was added with the sitar held in Vidya's hand and her lip syncing to a sweet-as-sugar background score playing M.S.Subbulakshmi's rendition Suprabhatam that made everything complete.
Vidya Balan's kanjivaram saree clad photographic tribute to 'the original style icon' M.S. Subbulakshmi was sheer sartorial magic.
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