Legendary singer S P Balasubrahmanyam passes away at 74


Daijiworld Media Network

Chennai, Sep 25: Legendary singer S P Balasubrahmanyam passed away due to coronavirus on Friday September 25.

He had been hospitalised in August and was later tested positive for coronavirus.

For sometime he showed some improvement in his health condition but on Thursday the hospital said his condition was extremely critical.On Thursday, MGM hospital, where he had been admitted, had stated that he was in an extremely critical state.

Earlier in August, the veteran singer had posted a video on his official Facebook page stating that he had chest congestion for a few days, along with cold and fever. He was tested for coronavirus and found positive. He chose to stay in the hospital for a quick recovery and also to keep his family safe.

"I am in good hands. And I have good health. Nobody has to worry about this. Please don't bother to call me to find out how I am. I'm perfectly alright excepting cold and fever. Even the fever has subsided. In two days, I will be discharged and I will be home. Thanks for the concern. Lots of people are calling me. I could not attend so many calls," he had said.

On September 7, Balasubrahmanyam's son, SP Charan had given the update that the legendary singer had tested Covid-19 negative.

Fondely called by his initials SPB or Balu, he was also a musician, playback singer, music director, actor, dubbing artist and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam.

With over 40,000 songs in 16 languages to his credit, Balasubrahmanyam holds the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs by a singer.

He made his debut as a playback singer in 1966 with Telugu film 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna'.

During his long career, Balasubrahmanyam won six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for his works in four different languages, namely Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, along with numerous other awards from the South Indian film industry, including the prestigious NTR National Award for his contribution to Indian cinema. He also bagged the Filmfare Award, and six Filmfare Awards South.

SPB was honoured with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2011. 

He leaves behind wife Savithri, daughter Pallavi, and son S P B Charan, who is also a playback singer and film producer, scores of fans and admirers around the world.

 

SPB: The voice of heroes goes silent permanently

The man who had sung the one of the popular duets with P Susheela "Aayiaram Nilevae Vaa" (Come thousand moons) for M G Ramachandran (MGR) in the Tamil movie Adimai Penn has finally reached the stars, perhaps to sing for the Gods.

Curiously, during his over five decades of playback singing career, SPB has sung several moon songs.

Honoured with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards in 2001 and 2011 respectively, SPB has won six National Film Awards for the best male playback singer and several other state awards.

Born to S P Sambamurthy, a Harikatha artist and mother Sakunthalamma on June 4, 1946, SPB got interested in music at a young age. His younger sister P Sailaja was also a movie playback singer.

While pursuing his engineering course, he used to participate in singing competitions and won prizes.

"At one such competition, popular playback singer S. Janaki while giving the prize sowed the seed of singing in movies in me by saying that I can shine in the cine world. She encouraged me saying that she too was not a trained singer," SPB had reminisced at a media meet.

Later he started visiting music directors seeking an opportunity to become a movie playback singer.

A humble person, SPB had said that if a person achieves something significant in a field, then it is due to the nudges and help rendered by several others. And in his case, there were couple of people.

He had said that but for his friend and roommate Murali who had compelled him to reach the recording studio in 1966 December, he wouldn't have become a movie singer.

SPB recorded his first song composed by music director and his mentor S.P.Kodandapani for the Telugu movie Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna.

Nearly a week later after his debut, he recorded his first Kannada song for the movie Nakkare Ade Swarga in 1967.

Soon he became busy with Telugu movie songs.

Looking back, SPB in an interview said that his evolution as a playback singer was largely due to Telugu music director Sathyam.

It was the Telugu movie Sankarabharanam that made the nation turn towards SPB. The movie directed by K. Viswanath and the music scored by K V Mahadevan turned out to be a big hit.

SPB got his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback singer.

Though his first Tamil movie song was "Athaanodu Ippadi Irundhu Eththanai Naalaachu" along with L.R.Eswari and music scored by another legend M S Viswanathan (MSV), the song and the movie aHotel Ramba' did not come out.

As the movie was stopped midway, no music company had bought the rights and made the gramophone recording.

Later SPB sang for actor Gemini Ganesan (Iyarkai Ennum Ilaya Kanni), for MGR (Aayiram Nilavae Vaa) and went on to the Malayalam movie industry.

At a media meet SPB had said he was grateful to MGR for postponing the shooting for "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" by a month so that the song was ready.

The singer said he was then down with fever. Given his stature MGR could have recorded the song with a different singer and gone ahead with the shooting.

"I had asked MGR about that later. He said after the audition, I would have told my friends that I will be singing for MGR. And if I was replaced the talk would be that MGR didn't like my voice and so he chose some other singer. That would have been a big setback for my Tamil movie career, which he (MGR) didn't want to happen," SPB recalled the incident.

After that there was no looking back for him. In the Tamil movie world, he had sung for MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and others.

At one point he was so prolific that he recorded over 15 songs in a day.

The mid 1970s saw the entry of music director Illaiyaraaja who later became a major force in the Tamil movie industry. The two -- SPB and Ilaiyaraaja -- had known each other even before the latter became a music director.

The 1980s saw the trio - Illaiyaraaja, SPB and S. Janaki- recording a large number of songs and most of them became great hits.

It is a different matter that Illaiyaraaja and SPB had some difference of opinion on the royalty issue. As per law Illaiyaraaja had demanded that SPB pay him royalty for singing his songs on stage performances. The two patched up soon.

It was in 1981that SPB made his debut in the Hindi movie world singing for Kamal Haasan in "Ek Duuje Ke Liye" and went on to sing in movies like "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun" and others.

"It was K Balachander, director, Ek Duuje Ke Liye who had insisted that I should sing for Kamal Haasan though the music composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal were bit reluctant to try me out," SPB reminisced.

It is a different matter SPB got National Award for one of the songs in that movie.

During 1990s the list of music directors he worked with increased like Deva, S.A.Rajkumar, Vidyasagar and A.R.Rahman in the hit movie Roja.

Apart from singing, SPB has also dubbed for several leading artists in Tamil and Telugu movies. For Kamal Haasan he was the default voice in Telugu movies. He had dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Telugu dubbing of English movie Gandhi.

As an actor too, SPB made a mark in jovial father character.

 

With Inputs from IANS

 

Chief Minister condoles death of singer S P Balasubrahmanyam

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 25: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has condoled the death of renowned singer S P Balasubrahmanyam.

"He had gained immense popularity through his film songs. His achievements in music composition, acting and anchoring musical programmes are noteworthy,’’ Yediyurappa said in a condolence message on Friday.

"He has sung over 40,000 songs in as many as 10 languages including Hindi and all South Indian languages. He had a special bonding towards Kannada and Kannadigas. The legendary Singer was honoured with Padmasri, Padma Bhushan and numerous other awards for his contribution to the music industry. His songs will remain in the hearts of music lovers. His demise has left a void in the world of music." the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and millions of his fans.

 

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Comment on this article

  • Greeshma, Mangalore

    Sun, Sep 27 2020

    Will never forget ur contribution for music..
    Om Shanthi

    Reply Report Abuse

  • D M Prabhu, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 26 2020

    End of an era!

    Versatile musical genius passes away. SP Balasubramaniam succumbs to the terrible covid virus after a prolonged battle in hospital.

    God give him peace. He will be missed by all. Always loved listening to S. P. Balasubrahmanyam ji’s music. Deeply saddened by his demise.

    A soothing voice delivered from bottom of heart cannot be heard on live .

    May his soul rest in peace.

    My prayer and thoughts with his family & friends. 🙏🏼

    Reply Report Abuse

  • dinesh, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 26 2020

    S*** ANGEETHADA P** ARABRAMA B** ALU NIMAGIDO BAVAPURNA SHRADANJALI.. OmShanthi

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Thomas Lobo, Thottam/Udupi/Kuwait.

    Sat, Sep 26 2020

    Rest in peace . ...Sir, SPB

    Reply Report Abuse

  • DMBangera, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 26 2020

    Om Shanti

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Sahil, Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    RIP sir. 🙏💐

    Reply Report Abuse

  • M.Mathias, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Sad news. RIP SPB Sir. But his songs live forever.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    RIP SPB...Everyone will have to go some or any other day...dont fight for naming the road issues or other..let the politician work for the people and not for petty issues...think twice before hurting the sentiments of any religion..God bless everyone!!!

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Valson Mendonsa, Mangalore/USA

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Sad News!! SPB was a Great Icon, Legend...in music Industry. His evergreen music going to live EVER... songs like " Maine Pyar Kiya, 'Ek Duje Ke Liye', Paap Ki Duniya..all times hit in box office...No Match..

    Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Corona can take the body away but it can do nothing to his soul, voice and music.. Oh! What a great Singer. Till date I never forget my college days songs of the film 'Ek Duje Keliye', sung by Him. Sorry for His sad demise. Rest in peace sir.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Ohm Shanthi to the soul of Sir SP Balasubrahmanyam.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    40,000 SONGS in 16 Indian languages sung by Legendary Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam...We miss him ...but he will remain in our hearts forever. R.I.P. A BIG SALUTE to him..

    Reply Report Abuse

  • RUDOLF V DSOUZA, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Sad to know. RIP. We have not lost SPB, but God too loved him and called him. May his soul rest in peace and grant strength to his family to bear his absence.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash D' Cunha, Bajpe/Abudhabi.

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Rest in peace SPB.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Honnappa, Byadagi

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Sir SPB was versatile singer who has sang film,devotional,classical songs. He was voice of many leading actors of South Indian movie industry. A great loss . Om Shanti.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Deepu, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Tari Kere Yeri Mele Mooru Kari Mari Maitittu. Legendry singer. Everybody loved his voice. My favorite singer. May his soul rest in peace.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • DENZIL FERNANDES, BANGALORE

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    SPB was a legend and an icon in the world of music. Sadly, the corona virus did not spare the world class singer too, After a lengthy battle, the respected and afflable breathed his last at the age of 74 in Chennai. SPB created a record of sorts singing in at least 16 languages with more than 40,000 songs apart from a few roles in telugu films.
    I HAD THE PRIVELEGE OF HOSTING SPB IN DUBAI ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND SISTER WITH A 16 MEMBER GROUP OF SINGERS AND MUSICIANS ON 8.4.2011 IN DUBAI. SUCH A FINE GENTLEMAN HE WAS.
    God has his own plans which we have to accept. SPB leaves behind a host of his admirers and followers apart from his family. May the Lord give enough strength to his family during these testing times. We will all pray for his soul to REST IN PEACE. OM SHANTHI.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Denzil..

    His voice and his memories will live with us forever. RIP Balu sir.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Shashi Shetty, Santhoor

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    More than a Talented Singer or an artist , I feel someone very close to me passed away. Such was his Humbleness in the every walk of his life despite being a such a talented artist be it Singing or even acting. Such a marvellous human being . Its worth living SPB again and again. Miss you Mr. Balu Sir - I really feel like my own elder brother passed away with your demise.

    Om Shanthi - May Lord give you sadgathi.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • David Rodrigues, BENGALURU

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    A great loss to the music fraternity ............... An enchanting voice silenced forever. May his soul rest in peace.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Elwyn Goveas, Valencia

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Truely a legend.
    Your voice will remain EVERGREEN
    Really a golden voice.
    Rest in peace Sir.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, MANGALORE

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    mere jeevan saathi pyar kiye jaa.. jawani diwaani... sthyam shivam sundram !!!!

    RIP

    Reply Report Abuse

  • saukanya, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    A beautiful soul lost, I have grown up listening to his songs. This such a sad day. Om Shanthi sir. You will live on forever in our hearts.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    May the departed soul of great legend rest in peace.... Condolences to all his near and dear ones... 🙏

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Kumar Shetty, Katipalla/Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    OM Shanti SP sir .... You will be remembered by all those melodies ....

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Dayananda V K, mangalore

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    sad news

    Reply Report Abuse

  • GURKA, Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    SPB great legendary singer of our time !! Rest in Peace SPB

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasad, Mangaluru/Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Very sad news. The true Legend. Miss you sir. Om Shanti🙏

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Rest in Peace ...

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Patrick Fernandes, Mulki/Vasai

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    RIP, SPB.
    Matching voice for all actors. Your Voice always be remembered.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Sanjay, Hebri

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Om Shanti 🙏

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Avinash, Bengaluru

    Fri, Sep 25 2020

    Om Shanthi.

    What a legendary singer he was. More importantly, he has won the heart of millions.

    Reply Report Abuse


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