S P Balasubrahmanyam: A Return of SPB with Hariharan (courtesy ispbofficial)
Strong points
- S P Balasubrahmanyam died in Chennai on Friday
- “To me he was an older brother,” Hariharan tweeted
- K S Chithra tweeted: “An era is over”
New Delhi:
S P Balasubrahmanyam died in Chennai hospital on Friday. He was 74 years old. “Music will never be the same,” singer K S Chithra tweeted after the music legend died. K S Chithra’s emotions echoed many names from the southern music industry, including renowned singer Hariharan, music composer Harris Jayaraj, singer Krishh, Tamil music director Santhosh Narayanan and music maestro AR Rahman, who has worked with SP Balasubrahmanyam since his debut in the music industry. Hariharan, who worked with SPB (as the late singer was popularly known as) and also admired him, shared this emotional tweet: “This is so tragic, the most unfortunate that happens. SPB sir was a human being humble and helpful. He was one of the most phenomenal singers in our county. He ran the music industry. To me he was an older brother. He was an inspiration, so loving to me. Anna, you got me will miss. RIP. “
It is so tragic, the most unfortunate event. SPB sir was a humble and helpful human being. He was one of the most phenomenal singers in our county. He ran the music industry, for me he was an older brother. It was an inspiration, so loving to me.
Anna, I will miss you. RIP🙏 pic.twitter.com/QASKZQPhaU– Hariharan (@SingerHariharan) September 25, 2020
KS Chithra, who sang several duets with SP Balasubrahmanyam, including Rukkumani Rukkumani and Yeh Haseen Waadiyan from the Tamil and Hindi versions of Roja, wrote: “An era is over. The music will never be the same. The world will be no more. never the same. Words are not enough to thank him for guiding me to become a better singer. I can’t think of a concert without your great and gracious presence. “
An era is over. Music will never be the same. The world will never be the same. Words are not enough to thank him for guiding me to become a better singer. I cannot think of a concert without your large and gracious presence. Condolences and prayers to Savithriamma, Charan, Pallavi & Family.🙏 pic.twitter.com/vIteV53TRf
– K S Chithra (@KSChithra) September 25, 2020
S P Balsubrahmanyam sang a number of pieces from Roja, which marked A R Rahman’s debut as a composer – they became frequent collaborators in the years that followed. Rahman shared a musical tribute for S P Balasubrahmanyam, describing him as “The voice of victory, love, devotion and joy”. “Devastated,” Rahman tweeted immediately after SPB’s death.
The voice of victory, love, devotion and joy! #RIPSPBalaSubramanyampic.twitter.com/nd3H8oRcnO
– A.R. Rahman (@arrahman) September 25, 2020
#ripspb … devastated pic.twitter.com/EO55pd648u
– A.R. Rahman (@arrahman) September 25, 2020
Singer Krishh also changed his Twitter profile picture to a photo of S P Balasubrahmanyam, just like K S Chithra did, as a tribute. S P Balasubrahmanyam mourning tweets also poured in from southern music composers Thaman S, GV Prakash Kumar and Immanuel Vasanth Dinakaran, among others.
The greatest artist of our time has passed away. Our sincere condolences to family, friends and the many fans of SPB. Your music will stay with us like a treasure sir. #RIPSPB
– Santhosh Narayanan (@Music_Santhosh) September 25, 2020
I have no words … My heart is bleeding … Rest well uncle … I love you forever … #ripspbpic.twitter.com/4ImNrQsOYm
– KRISHH (@krishoffl) September 25, 2020
WE HAVE LOST THE LEGEND AT
1:04 p.m.
TODAY 🙏🏾#RIPSPB GAARU 😢– thaman S (@MusicThaman) September 25, 2020
Heartbreaking tributes for S P Balasubrahmanyam were also shared by southern superstars, among them his frequent collaborators Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Mammootty, Mohanlal, among others, also mourned the late singer. S P Balasubrahmanyam has sung over 40,000 songs in 16 languages. S P Balasubrahmanyam has won six national awards in his career and has also been honored with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
