Question :
Which Indian musician is the first singer to get the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna ?
Option :
- Zakir Hussain
- A.R. Rahman
- M.S. Subbulakshmi
- R.D. Burman
Correct answer : c)
Explanation :
✅ Correct Answer: M.S. Subbulakshmi
Why?
M.S. Subbulakshmi was a legendary Carnatic vocalist from Tamil Nadu and is celebrated as one of India’s greatest classical singers.
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🏆 She was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1998,
making her:
The first musician ever to receive the Bharat Ratna, and
The first Indian singer (vocalist) to get this highest civilian honour.
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Other options explained:
1. ❌ Zakir Hussain – He is a world-famous tabla maestro but has not received the Bharat Ratna.
2. ❌ A.R. Rahman – An Oscar-winning music composer known for “Slumdog Millionaire” and many Indian films, but he has not been awarded the Bharat Ratna.
3. ✅ M.S. Subbulakshmi – Correct answer.
4. ❌ R.D. Burman – A legendary Bollywood music composer, but he too did not receive the Bharat Ratna.