Sampath Kumar in Madras

The 88-year-old classical singer was affected by diabetes for the past thirty years.

Born in 1916 in the southern temple town of Madurai, Subbulakshmi cut her first gramophone record at the age of ten and gave her stage performances.

Gifted with a mellifluous voice, she later had recalled that she had to be physically carried while playing to the stage where she was to give a music performance.

When she was fifteen she gave a memorable performance at the prestigious Music Academy of Madras and instantly she became famous drawing the admiration of great musicians,and connoisseurs.

Noted Indian poetess Sarojini Naidu described her as the nightingale of India. She had acted in a few Tamil films but all of them were devotional films.

India's most respected freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi used to ask her to sing her devotional songs during his prayer meetings.

Her concerts featured songs in many Indian regional languages. Through her concerts she had collected funds for several causes, charities and temples.

She had performed at the United Nations and at the Edinburgh festival.

She had donated whatever she had earned including the coveted Magasasay award in charity.

She had received several awards including the highest Indian civilian award, Bharat Ratna.