It is said that after a concert while MS was still in her teens, Dakshinamurti Pillai addressed the vidwans present and said,"Why do you indulge in acrobatics? Observe the way this little girl sings, and learn the art of simplicity from her." MS had the greatest admiration for him and claimed to have been influenced by him in her formative years.
(from Great Masters of Carnatic Music:1930-1965 by Indira Menon)
