Chennai: Renowned Carnatic musician, M S Subbulakshmi, passed away at 23:45 hrs (IST) in Chennai tonight (Dec 11, 2004) following 'various complications,' according to hospital and family sources.

She was 88. Her husband, Sadasivam, pre-deceased her in 1997.

A Magsaysay award winner, Subbulakshmi, popularly known as "MS", has no issues.

Born as Kunjamma in the temple city of Madurai in 1916, Subbulakshmi was a chronic diabetic for nearly four decades. Some months ago, she was admitted to a private hospital, following a complaint of 'hyperglycemia' (steep increase in blood sugar).

The doyen of Carnatic music was admitted to a private hospital on December 2, following a bout of viral infection -- broncho pneumonia. Though she responded to treatment, she developed 'cardiac irregularities' from last night.

Subbulakshmi, who had also acted in a few Tamil films in her young age, was married to Sadasivam, a well known figure in the then Madras Congress circles and was a protege of late 'Rajaji', in the year 1940.

Her first movie 'Sevasadanam' was released in 1938. This was followed by 'Shakunthalai', 'Savithri' and 'Meera' to mention a few.

A globe trotter, MS was the first woman to be awarded the 'Sangitha Kalanidhi', a prestigious title of the well-known Music Academy of Chennai.

An ardent devotee of Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt, the late Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, the musician received the Ramon Magasasay award in Manila in 1974 and the 'Bharat Ratna', India's highest civilian award, in 1996.