AKIPRESS.COM - To honour the legacy of India’s Carnatic music legend M.S. Subbulakshmi, the United Nations will issue a stamp to mark her birth centenary next week, coinciding with the celebrations of India’s 70th Independence Day, reports The Hindu.

The U.N. Postal Administration will issue the stamp to mark Subbulakshmi’s birth centenary, India’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. said in a press statement.

India’s Independence Day will be commemorated at the world body’s headquarters this year as Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman will enthral U.N. diplomats and international dignitaries at a special concert in the U.N. General Assembly hall on August 15.

Mr. Rahman will be the second Indian artist after Subbulakshmi to perform at the iconic U.N. hall, which is the usual platform for global leaders to address the world. She performed here in October 1966

Subbulakshmi, the first ever musician to be awarded India’s highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna, was invited by the then U.N. Secretary General Late U Thant to perform at the General Assembly in October 1966, becoming the first Indian to perform there.

India’s mission is also organising a photo exhibition from August 15-19 at the world body’s headquarters to commemorate Subbulakshmi’s birth centenary which falls on September 16.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of her performance at the U.N. and the photo exhibition will depict various facets and moments of Subbulakshmi’s life and times providing a rare insight to the music legend’s achievements, the Indian mission has said.

Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar will attend the events at the U.N. as well as those being organised by the Indian Consulate in the city.

The events commemorating India’s 70th Independence Day are being organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations with the support of Sankara Nethralaya, an India-based civil society organisation.

“The United Nations is also celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. As India celebrates its 70th Independence Day, the event will emphasise that the wisdom of Indian traditions remains relevant to current global thinking,” the mission said, adding that the musical evening will provide a “glimpse of gaiety and dynamism” of India on the occasion of India@70.””