S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam at the 'Gurkha' Audio Launch.jpg
Background information
Birth nameSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam
Also known asGaana Gandharva, Paadum Nila[1]
Born(1946-06-04)4 June 1946
Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India)[2][3][4][5][6]
Died25 September 2020(2020-09-25) (aged 74)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
GenresPlayback[5]
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actor
  • music director
  • voice actor
  • producer
Years active1966–2020
Honours
2=

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam (4 June 1946 – 25 September 2020), also referred to as SPB or SP Balu or Balu, was an Indian playback singer, television presenter, actor, music composer, dubbing artist, and film producer.[7][8] He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian singers of all time.[9][10][11] He predominantly worked in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films and sang in a total of 16 languages.[12]

Balasubrahmanyam debuted as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with a Telugu film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna scored by his mentor, S. P. Kodandapani.[8][13] In career spanning over five decades, he has won six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for his works in four different languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi; 25 Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards for his work in Telugu cinema; and numerous other state awards from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments.[14][15] In addition, he won six Filmfare Awards South and a Filmfare Award.[16] According to some sources, he held the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs by a singer with over 50,000 songs in 16 languages.[12][17][8][18] On 8 February 1981, he created a record by recording 27 songs in Kannada from 9 am to 9 pm. In addition, he recorded 19 songs in Tamil, and 16 songs in Hindi in a day, which has also been called a record.[8]

In 2012, Balasubrahmanyam received the NTR National Award from Government of Andhra Pradesh.[19] In 2015, he received the Harivarasanam Award from the Government of Kerala.[20] In 2016, he was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year award at the 47th International Film Festival of India.[21][22][23] He was a recipient of the Padma Shri (2001), Padma Bhushan (2011), and Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) (2021) from the Government of India.[24][25] On 25 September 2020, Balasubrahmanyam died in Chennai after being hospitalized for over a month for complications due to COVID-19.[26]

Early life and background[edit]

Balasubrahmanyam in 1985

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam was born in Nellore, in present-day Andhra Pradesh into a Telugu Brahmin family.[22][27][28] His father, S. P. Sambamurthy, was a Harikatha artist who also acted in plays.[29] His mother was Sakunthalamma, who died on 4 February 2019.[30] He had two brothers and five sisters, including singer S. P. Sailaja.[31][32][33] His son S. P. Charan is also a popular South Indian singer, actor and producer.[34]

Balasubrahmanyam developed an interest in music at an early age, studied musical notations and learned music out of his own interest. He enrolled at the JNTU College of Engineering Anantapur with the intention of becoming an engineer. He often said that, at the time his only dream was to fulfil his father's ambition and become an engineer and get a government job.[35][36]

Balasubrahmanyam continued to pursue music during his engineering studies and won awards at singing competitions. He discontinued his studies early due to typhoid and joined as an associate member of the Institution of Engineers, Chennai.[37][38] In 1964, he won the first prize in a music competition for amateur singers organized by the Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organization.

He was the leader of a light music troupe composed of Anirutta (on the harmonium), Ilaiyaraaja (on guitar and later on harmonium), Baskar (on percussion) and Gangai Amaran (on guitar).[39] He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by S. P. Kodandapani and Ghantasala.[40][41] Often visiting music composers seeking opportunities, his first audition song was "Nilave Ennidam Nerungadhe". It was rendered by veteran playback singer P. B. Sreenivas, who used to write and give him multi-lingual verses in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, English and Urdu.[42]

Music career[edit]

1960s–1970s[edit]

SP Balasubrahmanyam and his wife being felicitated by K. J. Yesudas and his wife

Balasubrahmanyam debuted as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with the song 'Emiyee Vinta Moham' for Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, a Telugu film scored by his mentor, S. P. Kodandapani.[36][43][13] The first non-Telugu song that he recorded just eight days after his debut Telugu song was in Kannada in 1966 for the film Nakkare Ade Swarga, starring Kannada comedy stalwart T. R. Narasimharaju.[44][45] He recorded his first Tamil song "Athaanodu Ippadi Irundhu Eththanai Naalaachu", a duet with L. R. Eswari under the musical direction of M. S. Viswanathan for the film Hotel Ramba, which never released. The song "Medante Meda Kaadu" from the film Sukha Dukhalu (1968) composed by Kondandapani brought him recognition in Telugu cinema.[46]

Other early songs he sang were duets with P. Susheela, "Iyarkai Ennum Ilaya Kanni" in the 1969 film Shanti Nilayam, starring Gemini Ganesh, and "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for M. G. Ramachandran in Adimaippenn.[47] His first song with S. Janaki was "Pournami Nilavil Pani Vizhum Iravil" in Kannippenn. He was then introduced to the Malayalam film industry by G. Devarajan in the film Kadalppalam.[48] As per Balasubrahmanyam, "Ye Divilo Virisina Parijathamo" from the 1973 Telugu film Kannevayasu composed by Satyam gave an amazing turning point to his singing career.[49]

Balasubrahmanyam had the distinction of rendering the most songs on a single day by any singer.[50] He had recorded 21 songs in Kannada for the composer Upendra Kumar in Bangalore from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on 8 February 1981 and 19 songs in Tamil, 16 songs in Hindi in a day.[51] In his words, "There were days when I used to record 15–20 songs, but only for Anand Milind. And I would take the last flight back to Chennai."[52][53] In the 1970s, he also worked with M. S. Viswanathan in Tamil movies for actors such as M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan. He recorded duets with P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vani Jayaram and L. R. Eswari. Balasubrahmanyam's association with Ilaiyaraaja began even before Ilaiyaraaja came to the cine field. In the early days, he used to sing in towns and villages all over south India and Ilaiyaraaja, then an unknown harmonium and guitar player accompanied him in his concerts.[54]

1980s[edit]

Balasubrahmanyam came to international prominence with the 1980 film Sankarabharanam. The film is considered to be one of the best films ever to emerge from the Telugu film industry.[55] Directed by K. Viswanath, the film's soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and led to an increase in the usage of Carnatic music in Telugu cinema as well as in other languages. Not a classically trained singer, he used a "film music" aesthetic in recording the songs.[56] Balasubrahmanyam received his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his work. His first work in Hindi films was in the following year, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981),[57] for which he received another National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.[15]

Balasubrahmanyam began to record more songs in Telugu and other South Indian languages, especially for Ilaiyaraaja with S. Janaki, the trio considered to be highly successful in the Tamil film industry from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. The songs were based on classical music, such as in Saagara Sangamam (1983) and Rudraveena (1988), for which both Ilaiyaraaja and Balasubrahmanyam won National Awards for Best Music Director and Best Male Playback Singer respectively.[58] South Indian actor Chiranjeevi admits that '''SPB''' voice is one of the main reasons of his success.[59]

In 1989, Balasubrahmanyam was the playback singer for actor Salman Khan in the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya.[60] The soundtrack for the film was very successful and he won a Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song Dil Deewana. For much of the next decade, Balasubrahmanyam continued as the "romantic singing voice" on the soundtracks of Khan's films.[61] Notable among these was Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.[62] Balasubrahmanyam's duet with Lata Mangeshkar, "Didi Tera Devar Deewana", was very popular. This solidified Balasubrahmanyam as one of the biggest playback singers in India.[63] SP Balasubrahmanyam became identified as Salman Khan's voice in the 90s just like Kishore Kumar became Rajesh Khanna's voice through the 70s.[64][65]

1990s[edit]

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chitra performing at Celebrating 50 years of musical journey of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam on 9 December 2016 at Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai

In the 1990s, he worked with composers such as Vidyasagar, M. M. Keeravani, Hamsalekha, S. A. Rajkumar and Deva among others, but his association with A. R. Rahman turned out be a major success.[66]

Balasubrahmanyam recorded three songs for A. R. Rahman in the latter's debut film Roja. He had a long-time association with Rahman right from Roja. Other popular songs include "July Maadham" from Pudhiya Mugam, which also marked the debut of singer Anupama,[67] "Mannoothu Manthayilae" from Kizhakku Cheemayile which was a folk number and he almost sang all songs in the musical love story Duet and "Thanga Thaamarai" from Minsara Kanavu which fetched him, the sixth and latest of his National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer to date.[68][69]

Balasubrahmanyam's association with Hamsalekha began after the latter's successful venture Premaloka in Kannada. Balasubrahmanyam sang the most songs for Hamsalekha in Kannada. He received his fourth National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Umandu Ghumandu" from the Kannada film Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi (1995), which was a Hindustani classical music-based composition by Hamsalekha.[58]

2000–2020[edit]

SPB performing in Singapore in 2017 while on world tour titled SPB 50 to commemorate 50 years of his singing career

In 2013, Balasubrahmanyam recorded the title song for Chennai Express, singing for the lead actor Shah Rukh Khan, under the music direction of Vishal–Shekhar, breaking his 15-year hiatus from Hindi cinema music.[70]

SPB is the only singer having a long spanning career of 54 years having at least two songs to record per day, even in his last days.[71]

In May 2020, SPB crooned a song on humanity titled "Bharath Bhoomi" which was composed by Ilaiyaraaja as a tribute to the people such as police, doctors, nurses and janitors who have been significantly working amid COVID-19 pandemic.[72] The video song was officially unveiled by Ilaiyaraaja through his official YouTube account on 30 May 2020 in both Tamil and Hindi languages.[73][74]

Other work[edit]

Voice acting[edit]

Balasubrahmanyam accidentally became a dubbing artist with K. Balachander's film Manmadha Leela (1976), the dubbed Telugu version of Manmadha Leelai, providing voice-over for Kamal Haasan.[75] He has also provided voice-overs for various artists, including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan, Salman Khan, K. Bhagyaraj, Mohan, Anil Kapoor, Girish Karnad, Gemini Ganesan, Arjun Sarja, Nagesh, Karthik and Raghuvaran in various languages. He was assigned as the default dubbing artist for Kamal Haasan in Telugu-dubbed versions of Tamil films. For the Telugu version of Dasavathaaram, he gave voice to seven characters (including the female character) out of ten characters played by Kamal Haasan.[76] He was awarded the Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist for the films Annamayya and Sri Sai Mahima.[77] He dubbed for Nandamuri Balakrishna for the Tamil version of the movie Sri Rama Rajyam in 2012.[78] He also dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Telugu-dubbed version of Gandhi.[79]

Television shows and films[edit]

S. P. B with K. J. Yesudas
Balasubrahmanyam in 2019

Balasubrahmanyam hosted and judged Telugu musical reality TV show Padutha Theeyaga, which marked his television debut. Starting from 1996, the show is credited for unearthing singing talents from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Singers like Usha, Kousalya, Gopika Poornima, Mallikarjun, Hemachandra, N. C. Karunya, Smita etc., have debuted in the show.[80][81] He also hosted and judged Kannada musical reality TV show Ede Thumbi Haaduvenu.[82] Balasubrahmanyam also appeared in other shows such as Paadalani Undi, Endaro Mahanubahvulu and Swarabhishekam.[83]

Personal life[edit]

Balasubrahmanyam was married in 1969 to Savithri and has two children, a daughter Pallavi, and a son S. P. Charan, also a playback singer and film producer.

Balasubrahmanyam considered S. P. Kodandapani, who gave him his first singing offer and mentored him in his early career, to be his guru. He would reminisce about him throughout his life and would often pay tributes to him.[36][46] He named his recording theatre after him. He also named his film production company after him as 'Sri Kodandapani Film Circuits'.[46][84]

Illness and death[edit]

On 5 August 2020, Balasubrahmanyam tested positive for COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in India and was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Chennai.[85] Subsequently, his health deteriorated and he was shifted to the intensive care unit in a critical state. He required a ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. It is stated that it was due to his age (74 years) and multiple comorbidities he had (like diabetes) that his condition worsened.[86][87] His son Charan provided periodic updates over social media, while members of the Tamil film industry engaged in a mass prayer via Zoom on 20 August and candlelight vigils were held by fans outside the hospital.[88] Similarly many actors of Telugu film industry urged people to pray for his life, many Tollywood music composers also organised virtual mass prayers. Members of the Kannada film industry got together for another mass prayer on 4 September 2020 in Bengaluru.[89] On 7 September 2020, Balasubrahmanyam tested negative for the coronavirus, although he remained using a ventilator and ECMO. He started showing signs of recovery, including light speech and physical activities.[90] However, the hospital released a statement on 24 September stating that he became "extremely critical" and was on "maximal life support".[91]

Balasubrahmanyam died on 25 September 2020 at 1:04 pm (IST) of cardio-respiratory arrest after over a month-long hospitalisation.[92] He was buried at his farm house in Thamaraipaakkam, Thiruvallur district with state honours on 26 September 2020.[93]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Then Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presenting the centenary award to S.P. Balasubrahmanyam

Throughout his career, Balasubrahmanyam has won awards not only for playback singing, but also for music direction, acting, dubbing and producing.

References[edit]

  1. Kolappan, B. (25 September 2020). "'Paadum Nila' S.P. Balasubrahmanyam no more". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. MN, Samdani (26 September 2020). "Settled in Chennai, SP Balasubrahmanyam's heart yearned for his native Nellore - Vijayawada News". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  3. Naidu, M. Venkaiah (25 September 2020). "Press Information bureau of India". Press Bureau of India. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  4. S., Murali (25 September 2020). "S.P. Balasubrahmanyam: The end of an era". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "SPB donates his ancestral home in Nellore to kanchi math". The Times of India. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  6. V, Narayana (24 September 2020). "SPB: The voice that captivated millions will never be stilled". The Hindu Businessline. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  7. Demu, Blessey (26 September 2020). "SPB was not just a singer, but a multifaceted personality". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Murali, S. (25 September 2020). "S.P. Balasubrahmanyam: The end of an era". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  9. Balachandran, Logesh (25 September 2020). "SP Balasubrahmanyam: A gifted South Indian singer who ruled Bollywood for decades". India Today. Retrieved 9 August 2022. SP Balasubrahmanyam was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers the Indian sub-continent has ever produced.
  10. "Remembering S.P Balasubrahmanyam on his birth anniversary: Some of his best Hindi songs". Firstpost. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam is regarded as one of the greatest Indian singers of all time.
  11. Kumar, P. K. Ajith (25 September 2020). "The best of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2022. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was one of the greatest playback singers of all time in Indian cinema.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "SP Balasubrahmanyam: Legendary Indian singer dies". BBC News. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  13. 13.0 13.1 "A very RARE picture of SP Balasubrahmanyam goes viral". The Times of India. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  14. "SPB to be honoured". Sify. 24 March 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : In honour of a legend". The Hindu. 3 February 2006. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  16. "Friday Review Hyderabad / Events : The stars shimmered bright". The Hindu. 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  17. "Have lost count of songs sung, says record holder S.P. Balasubrahmanyam". The Indian Express. 20 November 2016. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  18. "SP Balasubrahmanyam Dies at 74: 5 Facts About The Guinness Record Holder". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  19. Correspondent, Special (5 April 2017). "S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Hema Malini bag NTR awards". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  20. "DEVOTIONAL SONGS". The Hindu. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2022. Mr. Balasubrahmanyam was addressing a function at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Saturday after receiving the Harivarasanam Award instituted by the State government.
  21. "Who will be the Indian Film Personality of the Year at IFFI 2017?". 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 29 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  22. 22.0 22.1 "SP Balasubrahmanyam honoured with centenary award". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 20 November 2016. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  23. "Have lost count of songs sung, says record holder S.P. Balasubrahmanyam". 20 November 2016. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  24. DC Correspondent (26 January 2011). "SPB wins Padma Bhushan, no Bharat Ratna this year". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  25. Sharma, Priyanka (25 January 2021). "SPB honoured with Padma Vibhushan posthumously; KS Chithra gets Padma Bhushan". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  26. Kolappan, B. (25 September 2020). "'Paadum Nila' S.P. Balasubrahmanyam no more". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  27. "SPB was not just a singer, but a multifaceted personality". The Hindu. 26 September 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  28. Murali, S. (25 September 2020). "S.P. Balasubrahmanyam: The end of an era". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  29. Suganthy Krishnamachari (26 August 2010). "Arts / Music : Motivating, musically". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  30. "SP Balasubrahmanyam loses his mother". The Times of India. 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  31. "Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : S.P.Balasubramaniam shares memories with music buffs". The Hindu. 5 December 2005. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  32. "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  33. "Rumours Rife on SPB Health". 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  34. "SP Charan on SPB's health: He's eager to leave the hospital as early as possible". The Indian Express. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  35. Vivan, Sridhar (25 September 2020). "SP Balasubrahmanyam: The Accidental Singer". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 "Andhra Pradesh News : Telugu will thrive forever, says Balu". The Hindu. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 19 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  37. Murali, S. (25 September 2020). "S.P. Balasubrahmanyam: The end of an era". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  38. "SP.Balasubrahmanyam's 67th Birthday". 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2013. Today, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam is celebrating his 67th birthday. He was born on 4 June 1946 into a Telugufamily in Nellore. Balasubrahmanyam started singing from a very young age. After dropping out from an engineering program in JNTU, he got his first break in 1966, when he sang for Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna and he has sung over 40,000 songs. The State Government of AP presented the Nandi Award to Balasubrahmanyam 25 times. The Government of India honoured him with a Padma Bhushan award in 2011 and also presented him with six National Awards.
  39. Dinathanthi, Nellai Edition, 11 August 2006, p. 11.
  40. "SP Balasubrahmanyam". Artistopia.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  41. "S. P. Balasubramanyam – Photos and All Basic Informations". Networkbase.info. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  42. "Arts / Music : An unsung genius". The Hindu. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  43. "Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Raja-Lakshmi award for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam". The Hindu. 15 August 2006. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  44. "Of soulful strains". Deccan Herald. 29 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  45. "S. P. Balasubrahmanyam – Wiki Article". Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 "మేడంటే మేడా కాదు". Sakshi (in తెలుగు). 26 September 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  47. "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  48. "Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : KADALPAALAM 1969". The Hindu. 12 July 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  49. Narasimham, M. L. (6 March 2020). "S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in nostalgic mode: 'I sat under a mango tree and cried'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  50. "SPB has recorded the maximum number of songs in a single day – The Times of India". The Times of India. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  51. "S P Balasubramaniam". FilmiBeat. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  52. Thakkar, Mehul S (24 May 2013). "Salman's voice now belongs to Shah Rukh". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  53. T. Krithika Reddy (8 January 2010). "Life & Style / Metroplus : Swinging sixties". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  54. Vignessh (16 August 2020). "The story of an enduring friendship for 5 decades – SPB and Ilayaraja". The Federal. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  55. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  56. Sadana, Rashmi (5 April 2012). Dalmia, Vasudha (ed.). The Cambridge companion to modern Indian culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-521-73618-3.
  57. "SP Balasubrahmanyam: The Accidental Singer". Bangalore Mirror.
  58. 58.0 58.1 "Metro Plus Visakhapatnam / Music : Balu live and lively". The Hindu. 6 March 2010. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  59. "Chiranjeevi: It's the darkest day for the world of music - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  60. Kadam, Prachi (25 February 2010). "I knew Rahman as a toddler: SP Balasubrahmanyam". DNA India. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  61. "HindustanTimes-Print". Hindustan Times. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  62. "The Biggest Blockbusters Ever in Hindi Cinema". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  63. "The Beat". The Beat. University of California: Bongo Productions. 11: 71. 1992. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  64. "B'day Jukebox: SP Balasubrahmanyam Was Salman Khan's 90s Voice". The Quint. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  65. "S P Balasubramanyam: The voice that made Salman Khan sing – Nishad N". saddahaq.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  66. "#RIPSPB: The journey of a legend". The Times of India. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  67. "Singer with style". The Hindu. 12 February 2002. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  68. "S P Balasubrahmanyam, Thank You for the Music". NDTV. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  69. "40,000 songs in 16 languages: Here are some rare pictures of legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  70. "Balasubramaniam returns with Chennai Express title track". India Today. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  71. India, The Hans (27 September 2020). "Was hospitalisation of SPB needed?". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  72. The Hindu Net Desk (30 May 2020). "Ilaiyaraaja and SPB join hands for 'Bharath Bhoomi'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  73. "A song of tribute: Ilayaraja's salute to COVID-19 warriors". Deccan Chronicle. 31 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  74. "Maestro Ilaiyaraaja pays tribute to COVID-19 warriors, releases song sung by SPB". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  75. [email protected] (26 March 2009). "Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News, Bollywood, Songs". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  76. Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News, Bollywood, Songs : Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine 26 March 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  77. "Telugu Cinema Etc". www.idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  78. "SPB and Chinmayi voice for Balakrishna and Nayanthara in Sri Rama Rajyam movie – Tamil Cinema News – Latest News on Kollywood". 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  79. "SPB, naturally". The Hindu. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  80. "'పాడుతా తీయ‌గా' ప్రోగ్రాంకు ఊపిరి పోసేదెవ‌రు?". Namasthe Telangana (in తెలుగు). 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  81. "RIP SPB: A household name in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana". Deccan Herald. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  82. "Sandalwood Remembers SPB With Yedhe Tumbi Haduvenu, Colors Kannada Viewers Emotional". Sakshi Post. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  83. "SP Balasubramanyam is no more; From Paadutha Teeyaga to his last show Samajavargamana, here's a look at his TV shows". The Times of India. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  84. "Happy Birthday Kamal Haasan: Legendary Telugu films of the legendary actor". The Times of India. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  85. "Renowned Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam's health deteriorates; moved to ICU on life support". Mumbai Live. Mumbai Live. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  86. "Covid-19: SP Balasubrahmanyam remains critical after testing positive, put on life support". The Economic Times. 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  87. Manveena Suri and Amy Woodyatt. "Famed Indian film singer SP Balasubrahmanyam on life support". CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  88. "Tamil Nadu comes together, prays for singer SP Balasubrahmanyam's recovery". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  89. "Mass prayer meet organised by Sandalwood for SP Balasubrahmanyam in Bengaluru - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 September 2020.
  90. K, Janani (7 September 2020). "SP Balasubrahmanyam health update: Singer tests coronavirus negative, still on ventilator". India Today. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  91. "SP Balasubrahmanyam's health extremely critical; doctors claim he his on 'maximal life support'". Mumbai Live. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  92. Abishek Jerold. "SP Balasubramahmanyam dies at age 74". Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  93. "SP Balasubrahmanyam buried at his farmhouse with state honours". The Indian Express. 27 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.

External links[edit]

Template:IFFI - Indian Film Personality of the year Award Template:NTR National Award

Template:SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award Template:Nandi Award for Best Music Director

Template:Padma Bhushan Award recipients 2010–2019