M. L. Vasanthakumari, was a student of G. N. Balasubramaniam, who was one one of the great singers according to tradition of Southern Indian Tradition.
MLV was presented with a Doctorate degree,
and then later, she also received the highest civilian honour from the Indian Government, called Padma Bhushan.
She also received the most prestigious award in this type of music, Sangita Kalanidhi in 1977, and was the youngest woman to earn this award, aged 49.
MLV had been an important entertainer for most of her life when she passed away in 1990, at 63. However, since then, The Bharat Ratna is the highest honor given to Indian Civilians, an Indian M.S. Subbulakshmi was awarded with the Bharat Ratna)

 It is BHARAT RATNA. It is a gold medal of 22 carrot, bounded in white ribbon of sottin cloth. The Indian government gives the award to citizens for their contribution in Arts, LIterature, Music & in some other catogories. It has been given from the year 1950.