Chennai: Popular playback singer Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is no more. He died at a private MGM Healthcare hospital in Chennai today. He was admitted to the hospital with mild symptoms of COVID-19 in early August. Earlier today, the hospital’s health bulletin had described Balasubramaniam’s condition as “extremely critical”.
Fondly known as SPB, the 74-year-old Balasubrahmanyam sang over 40,000 songs in as many as 16 languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Some of his very popular Hindi songs included Tere Mere Beech Mein Kaisa Hai Ye Bandhan Anjaana (Film: Ek Duuje Ke Liye), Surmai Ankhiyon Me Ek Nanha Munna Sapna De Ja Re (Film: Sadma), Dil Deewan Bin Sajana Ke Maane Naa (Film: Maine Pyar Kiya), Didi Tera Dewar Diwana (Film: Hum Aapke Hain Kaun).
A singer with a gifted voice, the versatile Balasubrahmanyam had made his singing début in 1966 with Telugu movie Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. The first Non-Telugu song (in Kannada) for the film Nakkare Ade Swarga was recorded just eight days after his debut song. He rose to win six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for his works in four different languages; Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi! He had also won the Filmfare Award for Dil Deewan Bin Sajana Ke…(Maine Pyar Kiya), and six Filmfare Awards South.
In the ’90s, Balasubrahmanyam had become the voice of superstar Salman Khan that could be compared with Kishore Kumar becoming superstar Rajesh Khanna’s voice through the ’70s.
“Heartbroken to hear about #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir… you will forever live on in your undisputed legacy of music! condolence to the family #RIP,” Salman tweeted.
Rich tributes started pouring in from the film industry and his fans as well as the news of his sad demise spread. President Ram Nath Kovind while paying his tribute, said: “In the passing of music legend SP Balasubrahmanyam Indian music has lost one of its most melodious voices. Called ‘Paadum Nila’ or ‘Singing Moon’ by his countless fans, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan and many National Awards. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too condoled the demise of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and said, “With the unfortunate demise of Shri SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer. A household name across India, his melodious voice and music enthralled audiences for decades. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
“ripspb…Devastated,” tweeted legendary music director AR Rahman and he also posted his photograph with the singer. Balasubrahmanyam had recorded three songs for Rahman in the latter’s debut film as music director, Roja.
Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was equally shocked as he tweeted: “Omg!! This year just gets worse by the day! #SPBalasubramaniam #RIP.”
Born on June 4, 1946 in Konetammapet village of Madras Presidency (present-day Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh) into a Telugu family, his upbringing was done at Nellore. Balasubrahmanyam is left behind by his wife Savithri, daughter Pallavi and son Sripathi Panditharadhyula Balsubrahmanyam Charan, himself a playback singer.
– globalbihari bureau
