SP Balasubrahmanyam lent his voice to heroes for 5 decades

BENGALURU: Acclaimed playback singer PB Sreenivos had once described thespian Rajkumar as ‘Nayakara Gayaka, Gayakara Nayaka’ (hero of singers and singer of heroes). The only other person who lived up to the description was singer and actor SP Balasubrahmanyam, who passed away on Friday after about a month’s battle with Covid-19.
SPB, as he was affectionately called, started singing for Kannada films in 1967 with Nakkare Ade Swarga and sang for most heroes over five decades.Though born in AP, he wanted to be a Kannadiga in his next birth.
He lip-synched to Rajkumar in two songs of Kannada film Muddina Mavayya, where he played the main role. The combination of the two legends with a sort of reversal of roles was a treat for fans of both.
Before Rajkumar started singing, Sreenivas was his singing voice — the duo was described as Sharira and Shaarira (body and voice). While Balasubrahmanyam sang for all other heroes in Kannada, he did not associate with Rajkumar since Sreenivos was synonymous with him and the actor himself later began singing for his films. SPB sang for Rajkumar when he rendered ‘Illi Aaduva Maathu Kannada’ in CID Rajanna and his rendition perfectly matched the legend's acting prowess. Although his collaboration with Rajkumar was limited to a couple of background songs, the duo sung a 'male duet' for the film Apoorva Sangama. In the hit number, SPB is the playback for actor Shankar Nag,who played the younger brother of Rajkumar.
SPB’s young and energetic baritone came as a refreshing replacement for the mellifluous voice of Sreenivos. What made him stand out was his ability to match the actor’s voice and mannerism. He sang for almost all Kannada heroes ranging from Srinath and Vishnuvardhan to Ambareesh and Shivarajkumar.
“He skillfully used to mix mimicry into the song. He would ask who was the hero and what was the sequence. It was like an actor reprising the sequence with elan. Be it romance or pathos or devotional, he injected life into the song,” said filmmaker SK Bhagavan. No other singer, except Sreenivas in combination with Rajkumar, could win hearts of Kannada film connoisseurs like SPB did. This was because of his immaculate pronunciation and faultless diction.
SPB used to say Kannada was close to his heart though Telugu was his mother tongue. “I don’t know what the bond is. I have sung for many other language films, but the love I received from Kannadigas is a measure higher. If you ask me which is my favourite language as far as singing is concerned, the answer is Kannada,” SPB had said. He had sung last in Kannada for a yet to be released film, Shakuntala.
The song ‘Ide Naadu…Ide Bhaashe.. Endendu Nannadagirali..’ from Thirugu Baana was special. “Elelu Janumave Barali...Ee Mannali Naanu Huttuve… Thanu Kannada, Mana Kannada, Nudi Kannadavaagirali..’ (Even if I take the seventh birth, I will be born in this soil. Let my body, mind and speech be Kannada) goes on the song. May his wish come true.