AMN / WEB DESK
India’s legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away today in Chennai. He was 74. His son SP Charan confirmed his demise to the media.
The renowned artist was admitted to hospital on the 5th of this month for Covid-19. The viral load dissipated, only after leaving his vital organs severely affected. It led him to be put on a ventilator and ECMO support. He breathed his last at 1.04 pm.
He was a recipient of the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India
In his long career, SP Balasubrahmanyam popularly knownas SPB has been a stage performer, a playback singer credited with over 40000 songs, a dubbing artiste, an actor and a reality show judge. However, he is most known for his mellifluous voice complemented with the music of maestros like Ilayaraaja and AR Rahman. In Bollywood, SPB has been the voice behind several hits, from Kamal Haasan starrer Ek Duje Ke Liye to Salman Khan’s hit films Maine Pyar Kia and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolences, said that with the unfortunate demise of SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar expressed grief at the demise of noted singer Padmabhushan S P Balasubrahmanyam. He said, the country today lost a melodious vocalist. Praying for peace to the departed soul, Mr. Javadekar expressed condolences to the family, friends and crores of people who loved the singer.
Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the passing away of legendary musician and playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam. Mr Shah said, he will forever remain in memory through his melodious voice and unparalleled music compositions.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has expressed shock and grief over the demise of eminent singer and film actor, S P Balasubrahmanyam. In a statement The Chief Minister said demise of SPB is an irreparable loss for the film fraternity. He felt it was unfortunate that the best of the best efforts by doctors could not save him.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan also expressed profound grief and sadness at the demise of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.
SPB received six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for his works in four different languages; Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi; 25 Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards for his works towards Telugu cinema, numerous other state awards from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
He got the Filmfare Award, and six Filmfare Awards South. He was honored with the Indian Film Personality of the Year consisting of a Silver Peacock Medal. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India.
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam was born in Konetammapeta village of Madras Presidency (present-day Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh) into a Telugu family and raised in Nellore. His father, late S. P. Sambamurthy, was a Harikatha artist who had also acted in plays.
Balasubrahmanyam developed an interest in music at an early age, studied notations and learned music. He enrolled at JNTU College of Engineering Anantapur with the intention of becoming an engineer. He discontinued his studies early due to typhoid and joined as an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Chennai.
He continued to pursue music during his engineering studies and won awards at singing competitions. In 1964, he won the first prize in a music competition for amateur singers organised by the Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organisation.