S P Balasubrahmanyam: He died at the age of 74 (courtesy ispbofficial)
Strong points
- “Devastated”, A R Rahman tweeted after SPB’s death
- Rahman described SPB as “the voice of victory, love, devotion and joy”
- SPB died in Chennai on September 25
New Delhi:
When Roja released in 1992, Tamil and Hindi audiences were wowed by its soundtrack – the work of early-stage composer A R Rahman. Rahman’s melodies were animated by a small ensemble of singers who will later become his most frequent collaborators – among this small group of singers was S P Balasubrahmanyam, who sang several pieces of Roja. SPB, as the singer called him, died on Friday after spending nearly two months in a hospital in Chennai where he was taken after testing positive for COVID-19. He was 74 years old. After his death, A R Rahman shared two posts of grief. “Devastated,” Rahman wrote minutes after the singer’s death. He later published a tribute to S P Balasubrahmanyam, describing him as “the voice of victory, love, devotion and joy”. Along with the words, Rahman shares an obituary with a song sample.
Here’s how Rahman paid a musical tribute to S P Balasubrahmanyam:
The voice of victory, love, devotion and joy! #RIPSPBalaSubramanyampic.twitter.com/nd3H8oRcnO
– A.R. Rahman (@arrahman) September 25, 2020
Among the very first messages that flooded social networks after the death of S P Balasubrahmnyam was it Rahman’s – he could just type “devastated”.
#ripspb … devastated pic.twitter.com/EO55pd648u
– A.R. Rahman (@arrahman) September 25, 2020
In August, when S P Balasubrahmanyam was rushed to hospital for treatment for the coronavirus, A R Rahman shared a message wishing him a speedy recovery.
I ask all music fans to pray for this legend with me.#SPBalasubrahmanyam .. he gave us so much joy with his amazing voice! https://t.co/8r2TjQe6wj
– A.R. Rahman (@arrahman) Aug 14, 2020
Back in 1992 and Roja. S P Balasubrahmanyam was a giant in the music industry – having already won four of his six national awards – and A R Rahman was just getting started. SPB sang three songs in the Tamil original – Rukkumani Rukkumani, and the duo and solo versions of Kaadhal Rojave. In the Hindi version he sang two duets – Yeh Haseen Waadiyan and a version of Roja Jaaneman (the second version was sung by Hariharan).
Roja was the first of many SPB-Rahman projects together. They have worked together on a number of films, including the big hits Gentleman, Sivaji and Enthiran. Songs such as Anjali Anjali, Vellimalare, Kadalenum, Azhagana Rakshasiyea, Swasamae, July Matham, Minnale Nee and Thoda Thoda are some of the most memorable creations of Rahman and S P Balasubrahmanyam.
S P Balasubrahmanyam was admitted to MGM Healthcare Hospital in Chennai on August 5 for COVID-19. A few weeks later he tested negative but continued to remain on life support. S P Balasubrahmanyam is survived by his wife Savitri, his daughter Pallavi and his son S P Charan, who is a producer and singer.
