Entertainment

40,000 songs in 16 languages: Here are some rare pictures of legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam

SP Balasubrahmanyam is an unparalleled artist with a career stretching over five decades in which he entertained multiple generations with thousands of songs. Here are some rare pictures of the singer extraordinaire who lost a prolonged battle against COVID-19, leaving the nation at a loss.
SP Balasubrahmanyam is an unparalleled artist with a career stretching over five decades in which he entertained multiple generations with thousands of songs. Here are some rare pictures of the singer extraordinaire who lost a prolonged battle against COV
SP Balasubrahmanyam is an unparalleled artist with a career stretching over five decades in which he entertained multiple generations with thousands of songs. Here are some rare pictures of the singer extraordinaire who lost a prolonged battle against COV
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Born as Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam on 4 June, 1946, in Madras, SPB started learning music at a young age. Initially, SPB was in the path to become an engineer but also continued his efforts to pursue his passion for music. In 1966, SPB recorded his first film song for a Telugu movie and later on made his Kannada debut. (Photo | EPS)
Born as Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam on 4 June, 1946, in Madras, SPB started learning music at a young age. Initially, SPB was in the path to become an engineer but also continued his efforts to pursue his passion for music. In 1966, SPB recorded his first film song for a Telugu movie and later on made his Kannada debut. (Photo | EPS)
The real break for the singer only came in 1969, when veteran Tamil actor and former CM MG Ramachandran (MGR) wanted him to sing in his movie 'Adimaipenn'. It was a rare opportunity since SPB was not known at that point. The song was 'Aayiram Nilave Vaa' (Come, 1000 moons) and it was a big hit. (Photo | EPS)
The real break for the singer only came in 1969, when veteran Tamil actor and former CM MG Ramachandran (MGR) wanted him to sing in his movie 'Adimaipenn'. It was a rare opportunity since SPB was not known at that point. The song was 'Aayiram Nilave Vaa' (Come, 1000 moons) and it was a big hit. (Photo | EPS)
The resounding success of the song lead to a long career in which he went on to sing over 40,000 songs in 16 languages. It is notable that the veteran singer when he started out was not a trained classical singer but later on learned the skills. (Photo | EPS)
The resounding success of the song lead to a long career in which he went on to sing over 40,000 songs in 16 languages. It is notable that the veteran singer when he started out was not a trained classical singer but later on learned the skills. (Photo | EPS)
SPB also holds the record of having recorded the most number of songs in a single day. He has recorded 21 songs in Kannada for composer Upendra Kumar on 8 February 1981, a feat impossible in the current scenario. (Photo | EPS)
SPB also holds the record of having recorded the most number of songs in a single day. He has recorded 21 songs in Kannada for composer Upendra Kumar on 8 February 1981, a feat impossible in the current scenario. (Photo | EPS)
The singer has won six national awards and the first one was for the Telugu movie song 'Om Kaara Naadhanu' in the movie 'Sankarabaranam'. In picture, SP Balasubrahmanyam receiving the award from N T Rama Rao, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. (Photo | EPS)
The singer has won six national awards and the first one was for the Telugu movie song 'Om Kaara Naadhanu' in the movie 'Sankarabaranam'. In picture, SP Balasubrahmanyam receiving the award from N T Rama Rao, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. (Photo | EPS)
In 1981, he made his Hindi debut with the film 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' and received his second national award for the song 'Tere Mere Beech Mein'. He later on won two more national awards for two Telugu songs and one for a Tamil and Kannada song. In picture, S P Balasubrahmanyam being presented with the award by actor Kamal Hassan. (Photo | EPS)
In 1981, he made his Hindi debut with the film 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' and received his second national award for the song 'Tere Mere Beech Mein'. He later on won two more national awards for two Telugu songs and one for a Tamil and Kannada song. In picture, S P Balasubrahmanyam being presented with the award by actor Kamal Hassan. (Photo | EPS)
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. Here, S P Balasubrahmanyam is with his wife Savithri during a felicitation function for him. (Photo | EPS/AS Ganesh)
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. Here, S P Balasubrahmanyam is with his wife Savithri during a felicitation function for him. (Photo | EPS/AS Ganesh)
The combination of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja (R) and singer SPB was a big hit. The duo have delivered many soulful songs in multiple languages. (Photo | EPS)
The combination of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja (R) and singer SPB was a big hit. The duo have delivered many soulful songs in multiple languages. (Photo | EPS)
In 1996, SPB won his sixth national award for the Tamil song 'Thanga Thamarai' composed by AR Rahman. In picture, drummer Sivamani , playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam and music director A R Rahman during Maha Leela album release. (Photo | EPS/ UK Ravi)
In 1996, SPB won his sixth national award for the Tamil song 'Thanga Thamarai' composed by AR Rahman. In picture, drummer Sivamani , playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam and music director A R Rahman during Maha Leela album release. (Photo | EPS/ UK Ravi)
S P Balasubrahmanyam receiving an award from Telugu film icon L V Prasad (L). (Photo | EPS)
S P Balasubrahmanyam receiving an award from Telugu film icon L V Prasad (L). (Photo | EPS)
Singer P Susheela blessing S P Balasubrahmanyam. (Photo | EPS)
Singer P Susheela blessing S P Balasubrahmanyam. (Photo | EPS)
Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam gives an emotional tribute to K J Yesudas with Pada Pooja during an event to celebrate his 50th year in cinema in Chennai. (Photo | EPS)
Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam gives an emotional tribute to K J Yesudas with Pada Pooja during an event to celebrate his 50th year in cinema in Chennai. (Photo | EPS)
Playback singer and Carnatic vocalist Balamuralikrishna (standing) with S P Balasubrahmanyam (left) , Music Director M S Viswanathan (second right) and film lyricist Vaali are also seen. (Photo | EPS/P Anand Kumar)
Playback singer and Carnatic vocalist Balamuralikrishna (standing) with S P Balasubrahmanyam (left) , Music Director M S Viswanathan (second right) and film lyricist Vaali are also seen. (Photo | EPS/P Anand Kumar)
DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with S P Balasubrahmanyam, Latha Mangeshkar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan at a function. (Photo | EPS)
DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with S P Balasubrahmanyam, Latha Mangeshkar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan at a function. (Photo | EPS)
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa presenting the A.P state award to playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam. (Photo | EPS)
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa presenting the A.P state award to playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam. (Photo | EPS)
Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam and actor Ajith attend the wedding ceremony of Madan Karki, son of lyricist Vairamuthu. (Photo | EPS/AS Ganesh)
Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam and actor Ajith attend the wedding ceremony of Madan Karki, son of lyricist Vairamuthu. (Photo | EPS/AS Ganesh)
The versatile singer can also be called the most recognizable voice of India given his appeal across generations. He passed away on September 25th, 2020. (Photo | EPS)
The versatile singer can also be called the most recognizable voice of India given his appeal across generations. He passed away on September 25th, 2020. (Photo | EPS)
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