India's movie industry is blessed with countless talented playback singers; however, no one is as popular and recognized as SP Balasubrahmanyam
There are singers, and then there is SP Balasubrahmanyam, who is also called SPB. Though he is best known as one of Indian cinema’s greatest playback singers, the multi-faceted SPB was also a television presenter, music director, actor, dubbing artist, and film producer. It is the 75th birth anniversary of the legendary playback singer. Born in 1946, SPB is one of the most popular male playback singers, whose illustrious singing career spanned over five decades.
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First singing opportunity
SP Balasubrahmanyam was born on June 3, 2021, in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh and left behind a rich treasure trove of songs in a musical career that spanned over fifty years. He started learning singing from his childhood. He began his career as a playback singer by singing a song in the film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna in 1966. After that, there was no looking back. His miraculous voice did wonders and made him popular across the world.
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Soul-stirring melodies
Between 1960 and 2020, SPB was the most sought-after singer in the Indian film industry. He ruled over the Indian film industry with iconic songs such as Saapatu Etu Ledu (Aakali Rajyam), O Paapa Laali (Gitanjali), Madhura Murali (Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu), Enneno Janmala Bandham (Pooja), Thaali Kattu Subhavela (Anthuleni Katha), and many more. He was reputed to have recorded over 40,000 songs in his career for which, he held the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs.
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A popular actor
From classical numbers to patriotic songs, lamentations to highly romantic numbers, his voice had an ability to create magic. SP Balasubrahmanyam was known for his ability to mould his voice according to the personality of the actor. The charm and emotions of his golden voice made any song come alive. Many of his songs count as some of Indian cinema’s greatest numbers, and he was equally popular as an actor.
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The tremendous legacy left behind by SPB
His songs are still used by the young generations to woo their love. The singer received much acclaim for his performances and later sang many songs in various languages. SP Balasubrahmanyam received six National Film Awards, twenty-five Nandi Awards and six Filmfare Awards. The Government of India conferred on him the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards in 2001, 2011 and 2021 respectively.
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The untimely demise of SPB
The noble soul had left his admirers seven months ago. Yet he is alive in numerous everlasting hit songs which are heard and cherished for generations. He passed away due to Covid-19 complications on September 25, 2020, at the age of 74. He reportedly passed away thirty days after being admitted to a private hospital in Chennai as he did not respond to COVID-19 treatment.
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