Legendary playback singer SPB or Balu withdrew into the realm of eternal silence leaving his fans distraught.
He cooed, crooned, howled, rendered dappan koothu (a folk dance and music genre with emphasis on percussion) and melodies with equal elan and gained a place in the hearts of music lovers forever.
With his voice variation, incredible vocal range, vibrancy and versatility, SPB enthralled his fans world over for decades.
He testified that he can do classical in Sankarabharanam which brought him international fame and awards.
He left us breathless with Mannil indha kandhal (Keladi Kanmani)
Nostalgic numbers like Naan Ennum Pozhuthu (set to music by Salil Chowdhury/ Azhiyatha Kolangal), Ilaya Nila, Hey Aatha, Thogai Ilamayil, (Payanangal Mudivathillai) Kadavul Meedhu Aanai Uunnai (Radha), Paruvame (Nenjathai Killathe), Sangeeta Jaathi Mullai (Kaadhal Oviyam), Enn Kanmani (Chittu Kuruvi) Kadavul Amaithu Vaitha Medai (Aval Oru Thodarkathai)
He also rendered amorous songs such as Ilamayannun Poonkatre(Pagalil Oru Iravu)
Romba Naalaga Enakkoru Aasai (Ennadi Meenatchi).
Sujatha Narayanan, columnist, film writer and producer is an ardent admirer of SPB, as a, singer, his energy and his personality.
For her, the playback singer is a celebrity without an ego.
Sujatha recalls an incident when she, as the southern head of a private FM radio station, had invited the singer six year ago for a programme.
She recalls he came up to her and said, "you paid me for atleast 20 songs. I think there is time only for a few songs. So, in case I've to give you back the balance amount, I'll give it back."
He could have had an ego. You could not have faulted him for it for the fame he has attained. But, instead of ego he had a lot of grace, Sujatha told Mirror.
"SPB sir is full of energy and aura and you feel it if you're receptive to it. He is intelligent, sharp and so talented, yet humble."
She says that in their music and music-loving family SP Balasubrahmanyam was perhaps the first 'household celebrity' name. He was the favourite singer of all cousins who would visit his recordings. They saw him record many hit songs in a studio that one of her three uncles managed at the time.
"He is my first hero before I saw a hero on screen," she says.
He always carries his lyrics book with him.
Whenever someone asks him to sing a few lines he does it with his characteristic grace and zeal. He did sing a few lines for her when she interviewed him once. It was the song, "Sujatha, I love you Sujatha," from the film Kodeeswaran Magal.
Sujatha says he will also sing for children if they asked him to.
When she met him for her first FM radio live chat in 2003 he asked her what happened to the LML Vespa he sold to her dad. SPB said that if he could trace the buyer he would like to buy the scooter back. But she didn't have the details and he went on to talk about how it is all for the good and how one must move on with the times.
His is a voice of hope for millions of his fans in south India.
"I grew up listening to his songs in the radio and identifying my heroes, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth among others through his voice," Sujatha noted.
"He is central to a film to me. The very essence of the movie."
Sujatha says that three of her uncles were in the film industry and their house used to teem with celebrities from the industry. SPB has also visited their house a few times.
"I would liken him to Kishore Kumar. He didn't confine himself to singing. He tried his hand at acting, producing and music direction. He had dubbed for over 200 films for Kamal Haasan in Telugu," Sujatha said.
Of his latest songs, Sujatha made special mention of En Kadhal Thee (Irandaam Ulagam) and Yamma yamma kadhal ponnamma (7aam arivu) besides the title song for Pettai.
His live performances on stage were equally entertaining and alluring, she noted.
It is certainly weird that he had to be bed-ridden and...
Whatever, his songs will live forever, she signed off.
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