'PAADUM NILA'..WENT TO SKY!

South Indian legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam!

"Tere mere bich mein kaisa hai yeh bandhan anjaana.."
It's SPB song which is lingering in cine music lovers mind after his death!

Rati Agnihotri & Kamal Haasan in 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981)

This song is from K. Balachander's superhit film.. 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981) which introduced singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam to Hindi Cinema. That was a remake of director's hit Telugu film 'Maro Charitra' (1978). Kamal Haasan was also there in lead with Saritha & in it's Hindi version he played same intense lover with pretty Rati Agnihotri. Their passionate love touched our hearts in college days!

In 1966 SPB got break as playback singer in Telugu film industry with 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna'! After few days he got opportunity to sing for Kannada film 'Nakkare Ade Swarga'. Coiincidently both the films were connected to comedians. First produced by B. Padmanabham and second was acted by T. R. Narasimharaju!

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam singing composition of  Ilaiyaraaja!

Surprisingly, he recorded first Tamil song not released! In 1969 he became known in this prominent film industry with duets he sung with P. Sushila. Those songs were "Iyarkai ennum.." for Gemini Ganeshan acted 'Shanti Nilayam' and "Aayiram nilavae vaa.." for legend M. G. Ramachandran's 'Adimaippenn'. After that he sung for Malayalam with G. Devarajan's film 'Kadalppalam'!

SPB achieved national & international fame with K. Viswanath's film 'Sankarabharanam' (1980). This film focused on the roots of classical music and even though he was not trained, sung Carnatic music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. J. V. Somayajulu and Manju Bhargavi intensely portrayed characters devoted to classical music in it!

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Kamal Haasan singer-actor hit combination!

SPB won National award of 'Best Play-back Singer' for 'Sankarabharanam'. Then again he won same for Hindi film 'Ek Duje Ke Liye'. For this he sung with legendary Lata Mangeshkarji. All songs wrote by Anand Bakshi and composed by Lakshmikant-Pyarelal became hit. Among these my favourite is.."Hum tum donon jab mil jayenge.."

Then SPB sung more Tamil songs with S. Janaki composed by the maestro.. Ilaiyaraaja with whom he attached in early days of music troupe. There notable combination includes K. Vishwanath's films 'Saagara Sangamam' (1983), 'Swathi Muthyam' (1986) and K. Balachander's 'Rudraveena' (1988). For these films both won National Awards!

Bhagyashree & Salman Khan in hit Hindi film..
'Maine Pyar Kiya's (1989) song "Mere rang mein.."

Again in 1989 SPB became sensation with his playback in Hindi cinema which happened due to Salman Khan's first hit 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. I saw the picturisation of his song "Mere rang mein ranganewali.." in 'Nataraj Studio' at Mumbai. 'Rajashri's Sooraj Barajatya nicely filmed that on Salman & pretty Bhagyashree! He won 'Filmfare's Best Playback Singer' awad.Then he became Salman's voice. With hit film 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' (1994) again actor-director-singer & music director RamLaxman collaboration hit the box-office!

In new era..SPB sung with music directors like A. R. Rahman for film 'Roja' (1992). Title song of this Mani Ratnam's contemporary film touched the hearts! Then after big gap he sung for Hindi film 'Chennai Express' (2013) in the music of Vishal-Shekhar and that was for Shahrukh Khan!

Hit combination for Bollywood..Salman Khan & S.P. Balasubrahmanyam

SPB sung over..

40000 songs in our 16 Indian languages during his career which is 'Guinnes World Record'! He won various awards includes 6 National and about 7 Filmfare. And he was honoured with state 'NTR Award' and 'Padma Bhushan' by our Government of India!

SPB was named as 'Paadum Nila' (Singing Moon)..So went to sky.!

Homage to this devoted singer & good human being!!

- Manoj Kulkarni