Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi used to wake up Kashi Vishwanath with "Suprabhatam"

Varanasi: Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi used to wake up lord Shiva with her "Suprabhatam" in Kashi Vishwanath temple. Lord Shiva, Mother Annapurna and innumerable deities of Kashi, along with the the residents of Kashi used to listen "Shri Kashi Vishwanath Suprabhatam" in the melodious voice of Subbulakshmi in the Brahmamuhurta.

Unfortunately the broadcast of this suprabhatam from Kashi Vishwanath temple was stopped many years ago due to some unknown reasons. The inauguration of the newly built Kashi Vishwanath Dham by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the hope among the residents of Kashi that they will get to listen again the suprabhatam rendered by Subbulakshmi.

Subbulakshmi, popularly known as "MS", sang "Shri Kashi Vishwanatha Suprabhatam" and some hymns, accepting the request of the distinguished citizens of Kashi. MS lent her voice to "Sri Venkatesh Suprabbhatam" for the Lord Vishnu. It is daily relayed at Brahmamuhurta in Tirupati temple.

The opening sloka (verse) is-

Kausalya Supraja Ram Purvasandhya Pravartate.
Uttishtha Narshardul Kartavyam Daivamahnikam

(Wake up Ram, .son of Kaushalya. Oh! Lord, world is waiting for you to wake up and take care of the people.)

In the 1980s, scholar Dr. Bhanu Shankar Mehta and entrepreneur Rajkishore Gupta took the initiative to start suprabhatam rendition in Kashi Vishwanath Temple just like Tirupati temple. They made contact with MS. The nightingale readily agreed and the recording of "Sri Kashi Vishwanath Suprabhatam" and other bhajans was done in Chennai. It was relayed daily after Mangala Aarti at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Through a network of loudspeakers it echoed across the city. This remained continue for 10-15 years, then suddenly stopped.

The opening verses of "Shri Kashi Vishwanath Suprabhatam" are-

Vishvesham Madhavam Dhundim Dandapanim cha Bhairavam ?
vande Kaasheem guham Gangam Bhavaneem Manikarnikam ?
uttishtha Kashi bhagavan prabhu Vishvanatho
Gangormi-sangati-shubhaih’ paribhooshitobjaih’ ?
Shreedhundi-Bhairava-mukhaih’ sahita Annapoorna
mata cha Vanchhati mudaa tava suprabhaatam ?

(the verses invoke deities of kashi and urges the lord Shiva to wake up)

The city's "suprabhatam" organization broadcast this suprabhatam during the Prayag Kumbh in the year 1989 telling the pilgrims that Kumbh is not complete until Kashi Yatra is done. This resulted in a huge rush of devotees to Kashi and the administration was caught unawares.  (UNI)