In their black and white animated doodle, S P Balasubramanyam featured along with the Amul girl as both sang, with microphones in their hands, to an audience.

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Tere Mere Beech Mein Kaisa Hai Yeh Bandhan Anjana is the text written on the graphic shared by Amul. This is an acclaimed song from Kamal Haasan’s 1981 film ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’. Composed by LaxmikantPyarelal, credits for Tere Mere Beech Mein’s vocals was attributed to Lata Mangeshkar apart from SP Balasubrahmanyam. The song also gave the late veteran a national award.

SP Balasubrahmanyam’s death was condoled on Twitter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and several other politicians apart from actors including Salman Khan, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.

SPB provided vocals to several Salman Khan songs such as Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai and Didi Tera Devar Deewana in the 90s.

S P Balasubramanyam who recorded over 40,000 songs in several languages, was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2011.

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The legendary singer’s body was taken to his residence in Nungampakkam in Chennai for public homage in on September 25. A large number of people gathered at his residence to have a last glimpse of the singer and pay their respects.

From youngsters to senior citizens, people lined up on sides of highway enroute his farmhouse. They showered flower petals on the van carrying the singer’s body.

Despite restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, SPB’s residence here saw an unceasing crowd of fans, well-wishers and political personalities including DMK youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of the Dravidianparty chief M K Stalin to honour the singer.

Police had a tough time controlling the crowd of fans who had gathered to pay their last respects. Iconic music composer and a close friend of SPB for over 50 years, Illaiyaraja mourned the singer’s death in a moving video post.

The acclaimed musician said he had no words todescribe the irreparable loss and added,”Balu, I told you to come back. You did not listen and have gone..have you gone to sing for the Gandharvas? (forms of life higher than humans according to ancient Hindu belief), the world has become a Sunyam (emptiness) with your passing. I have no words to describe the loss..there is a limit for all grief but not for this.”

SPB’s another long time associate and veteran Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja said he has no words to describe the loss of a close friend for over 50 years. “I am in grief. I cannot talk. I have no words,” he said.

Music composer A R Rahman posted a video, “voice of victory, love, devotion and joy,” honouring SPB on his Twitter handle.

The official statement from MGM Healthcare in Chennai said that despite maximal life support measures, the singer died of a cardio-respiratory arrest. He passed away on September 25 at 1:04pm. The singer had been admitted at MGM Healthcare since August 5 after he tested positive for coronavirus. He tested negative for Covid-19 on September 5.

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Always smiling, always singing SPB – that is how people will remember the prodigious singer. Paadum Nila (Singing Moon), as he was called by his fans, had a golden voice that effortlessly captured varied human emotions and feelings. The way he weaved magic through his music is unmatched.

When S P Balasubramanyam won his first national award for the Telugu film “Shankarabharanam” (1979), he confessed that he had never learnt Carnatic music. What helped SPB to overcome those shortcomings to become a legend were his dedication and loads of talent to back his enchanting voice.

Born as Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubramaniam, in 1946, to Nellore-based Harikatha exponent Sambamurthy, SPB’s ambition was to become an engineer. His failure to clear a subject in his PUC forced him to pursue another course in Chennai. Yet, destiny had other plans in store for him. Music lured him towards singing competitions and finally to the film world.

Interestingly, his first big break happened in Telugu film Sri Sri Mariatha Ramanna in 1967. Although he got a hold in the Telugu film industry, getting an opportunity in Tamil cinema remained elusive until M S Viswanathan spotted him. However, his debut Tamil song in “Shanthi Nilayam” (an adaptation of Jane Eyre) in 1969 didn’t see the light of the day.

So, as luck would have it, SPB’s first song to be heard by Tamil listeners was for the MGR-Jayalalitha starrer, “Adima Penn”, a box office hit that was released in 1969. Till then MGR had refused to let anyone to sing song for him expect for T.M Soundararajan. The music composer of the film KV Mahadeven convinced MGR to hear SPB’s song “Ayiram Nilavey Vaa”. MGR was so mesmerised with the young SPB’s voice that he called the singer to his house to gift him a gold ring. Since then SPB has been the reigning playback singer in Tamil cinema.

When he won his second national award for “Ek Duje Ke Liye” (1981), he had made another confession that he didn’t know Hindi. However, it doesn’t stop him from being one of the sought after singers in Hindi cinema, probably the only South Indian singer who endured Bollywood for decades.

S P Balasubramnayam was literally the voice of almost every Salman Khan songs from the 90s, most popular being ‘Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya’, ‘Tumse Milne ki Tamannah Hai, ‘Kabhi Tu Chaliya Lagta Hai, ‘Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai and Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali.

A great fan of Mohammed Rafi, SPB once said that the Hindi singer was his inspiration to sing romantic songs with such passion and involvement.

SPB could easily record half a dozen songs in a day, travelling between studios and singing for different composers and even languages. Hence, it is not a surprise that he holds the Guinness record for having the highest number of songs – more than 40,000 in 14 languages – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada,Malayalam, Hindi, Tulu, Oriya, Assamese, Punjabi – among them. Whatever the language, he would make sure to get the pronunciation right.

There was even an instance when he recorded 17 songs in Kannada for composer Upendra Kumar in Bangalore for 12 hours in 1981.

SPB sang over 2,000 songs for Ilayaraja alone. He and Ilayaraja had a small falling out after the music composer prevented him from singing on stage the songs composed by him, based on copyright claims. Later, the two patched up in a public event.

SPB always rooted for talented young singers. He encouraged another playback singer Mano, who had a similar voice and style. SPB spoke to Ilayaraja and gave an opportunity for Mano to sing for Rajinikanth. When SPB had to take a break after a surgery on his vocal chords he called top music directors and asked them to use Mano.

He enthusiastically sang for any new or upcoming music composer saying it gave him another opportunity to explore creativity and recognise talent. He looked at every opportunity with the excitement of a child.

When A.R Rahman first recorded him for Roja (1992), the bulky singer had to squeeze himself in a small glass cubicle to record his songs. Yet, he never complained about it and gave the evergreen melody ‘Kadhal Rojave’.

It was only a matter of time before SPB started composing music for films. He has scored music for 45 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. His talent didn’t see himself confined to singing and composing, he went on to act in several films too. “Acting came easily to me since a singer emotes in front of the microphone and innumerable stage shows meant that I had no stage or camera fear,” he said once.

For millions of fans across the world, S P Balasubramanyam’s evergreen voice that made them sing, dance, cry and introspect, will live on. He will always be the most loved singer ever.

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The hospital statement read, “Thiru SP Balasubrahmanyam who had been admitted at MGM Healthcare on August 5th, remains on ECMO and other life support measures. His condition in the last 24 hours has deteriorated further warranting maximal life support and he is extremely critical. The team of experts at MGM Healthcare is closely monitoring his health condition.”

On September 22, his son SP Charan took to Twitter to share an update regarding his father’s health condition. He wrote, “Dad continues the steady progress toward getting better. Ekmo/ventilator, physio therapy continue with oral intake of liquids. He’s been eager to leave the hospital as early as possible (sic).”

The singer was admitted to the hospital on August 5 where he tested positive for coronavirus. He had posted a video on his official Facebook page, informing his fans about his COVID-19 test and assuring them that he is in good hands amid friends, family and able medical personnel including doctors and support staff. However, his condition deteriorated on August 13 which he was put on ventilator and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support.

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It was around a few hours back that several national media outlets reported the current health status of legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam. These reports stated that the singer has been tested negative for coronavirus, and made it clear that he will be discharged anytime soon.

However, SPB’s son SP Charan has refuted these rumors. Charan revealed that his father is still in life support, regardless of whether the testing result is negative or positive. He also urged everyone not to spread fake news regarding the health status of his father.

“There’s been a rumor going around stating that my father has been tested negative for coronavirus. Regardless of whether it’s negative or positive, his health status remains the same clinically. He is still on life support. Fortunately, he is stable. We hope that this stability will help him recover his lungs as early as possible. All of you please refrain from rumor mongering., I will give you an update soon,” said Charan in a recent video.

It was on August 05 that SP Balasubrahmanyam was tested positive for coronavirus. Soon after testing positive for COVID-19, SPB himself shared a video, and informed that he is keeping fine. Initially, doctors had asked SPB to undergo home isolation. But in order to avoid further complications, SPB himself decided to get admitted to MGM Healthcare Hospital.

However, on August 13, he started facing severe respiratory problems, and doctors soon shifted him to the ventilator. On August 14 and 15, his health condition was very critical, but later, he showed signs of recovery, and as per the latest updates, his health condition is now stable.

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SPB’s health update by Charan

In the video, Charan revealed that there is nothing much to update about the health of SPB as it continues to be critical. However, Charan made it clear that seeing the prayer tweets and other wishes from people are giving him hope.

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“There has not been any major development in my father’s health condition so far. So, I realize that there is not much to update. Again, as I said, we are keeping the hope alive and are faithful and confident that all the prayers that are being showered upon him and his family are definitely going to help him recover as early as possible,” said Charan in the video.

Charan asks everyone to pray for SPB

After becoming emotional for some moments, Charan revealed that prayers of millions of people will not go in vain. Charan added that the conscience of God will help his father, and thus he will come back to normal life soon.

It was on August 05 that SP Balasubrahmanyam was tested positive for coronavirus. Doctors had initially asked SPB to be in his home under isolation. However, to avoid further medical complications, SPB insisted to get admitted to MGM Healthcare Hospital. However, on August 13, his health condition worsened and was soon shifted to the ventilator.

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According to a statement released by MGM Healthcare, the condition of SPB deteriorated on the night of August 13. Hospital authorities also revealed that the singer was currently under observation by a team of experts in critical care.

“There has been a setback in the health of Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam who had been admitted at MGM Healthcare for symptoms of COVID since 5th August 2020. In a late night development on 13th August 2020, his condition had deteriorated, and based on the advice of the expert medical team attending to him, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and he is on life support and his condition remains critical,” said hospital authorities in the statement.

It was last week that SPB shared the unfortunate news of coronavirus infection through his Facebook page. In a video posted on his social media page, the singer revealed that his infection is mild in nature.

On August 5, doctors had asked SPB to isolate himself in his home. However, SPB insisted to get admitted to the hospital to prevent any further complications.

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