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===Early career: 1960s=== ===Early career: 1960s===
Before becoming a cinema singer, Balasubrahmanyam was the leader of a light music troupe composed of Anirutta (on the harmonium), ] (on guitar and later on harmonium), Baskar (on percussion), and ] (on guitar).<ref>''Dinathanthi'', Nellai Edition, 11 August 2006, p. 11.</ref> Balasubrahmanyam made his debut as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with '']'',<ref name="RLA">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081505050400.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Raja-Lakshmi award for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=The Hindu |date=2006-08-15 |accessdate=2011-06-12}}</ref> a ] film scored by his mentor, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041452160500.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Telugu will thrive forever, says Balu |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-04-14 |accessdate=2011-05-02}}</ref> He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by ] and the legendary singer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistopia.com/s-p-balasubrahmanyam |title=SP Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=Artistopia.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.networkbase.info/pageS._P._Balasubramanyam.html |title=S. P. Balasubramanyam – Photos and All Basic Informations |publisher=Networkbase.info |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref>He recorded his first Kannada song in the movie ''Nakkare Ade Swarga'' for the song "Kanasido Nanasido" with P. Susheela in 1967. Before becoming a cinema singer, Balasubrahmanyam was the leader of a light music troupe composed of Anirutta (on the harmonium), ] (on guitar and later on harmonium), Baskar (on percussion), and ] (on guitar).<ref>''Dinathanthi'', Nellai Edition, 11 August 2006, p. 11.</ref> Balasubrahmanyam made his debut as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with '']'',<ref name="RLA">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081505050400.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Raja-Lakshmi award for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=The Hindu |date=2006-08-15 |accessdate=2011-06-12}}</ref> a ] film scored by his mentor, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041452160500.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Telugu will thrive forever, says Balu |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-04-14 |accessdate=2011-05-02}}</ref> He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by ] and the legendary singer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistopia.com/s-p-balasubrahmanyam |title=SP Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=Artistopia.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.networkbase.info/pageS._P._Balasubramanyam.html |title=S. P. Balasubramanyam – Photos and All Basic Informations |publisher=Networkbase.info |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01}}</ref>


His carrer's turning point was when ] decided to work with him.He recorded his first Tamil song in the 1969 film ''Shanthi Nilaiyam'' starring ] and the song is " Eyarkai ennum illaya kanni". He sang "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for ] in the Tamil film ''Aadimai Penn''which released first before Shanthi nilayam could release. He was introduced to Malayalam film industry by R. K. Shekhar in the film ''Yogamullava'' and by ] in the film ''Kadalppalam'' in 1969 where he sang "Ee Kadalum Marukadalum" .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/07/12/stories/2010071250650400.htm |title=Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : KADALPAALAM 1969 |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-07-12 |accessdate=2011-06-12}}</ref>M.S.Viswanthan made S.P.Balasubramniyum sing many solo songs and duets of his compositions in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and this resulted in S.P.B becoming a famous singer in South India and Viswanathan and SPB combination have worked in several films from 1969 till 2013. He recorded his first Tamil song in the 1969 film ''Shanthi Nilaiyam'' starring ] and the song is " Eyarkai ennum illaya kanni". He sang "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for ] in the Tamil film ''Aadimai Penn''which released first before Shanthi nilayam could release. He was introduced to Malayalam film industry by ] in the film ''Kadalppalam'' in 1969 he sang "Ee Kadalum Marukadalum" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/07/12/stories/2010071250650400.htm |title=Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : KADALPAALAM 1969 |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-07-12 |accessdate=2011-06-12}}</ref>


===Prominence in south: 1970s=== ===Prominence in south: 1970s===
] is regarded by S.P.B as his mentor and is regarded as the main man responsible for S.P.B becoming a popular singer from 1969. M.S.V made S.P.B sing in various Tamil movies from 1969-1995. Under his composition S.P.B got opportunities to sing for senior actors like ], ] and ] during the period 1969-1977, which established S.P.B as an alternative to the much-in-demand ], who was the highest paid Tamil singer and was preferred the most by msuic directors as well as actors to sing in their films right from 1959-1985. SPB recorded numerous duet numbers with ], ] and ] under music direction of M.S.V from 1969-1995. He became most preferred playback singer for Kamal Hasan since 1975.

He received his first ] in 1980 for the ] film '']'', a film directed by ]. In 1976, he recorded up to 23 songs, including 15 duets with P. Susheela in a single day. For Kannada composer ], Balasubrahmanyam recorded 16 songs in just 6 hours. Again for ], he recorded six songs in 4 hours in ]. Between three recording theatres in Mumbai, he sang 17 songs in a day for ].<ref>{{cite web|author=T. Krithika Reddy |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article77605.ece |title=Life & Style / Metroplus : Swinging sixties |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-01-08 |accessdate=2011-05-02}}</ref> He received his first ] in 1980 for the ] film '']'', a film directed by ]. In 1976, he recorded up to 23 songs, including 15 duets with P. Susheela in a single day. For Kannada composer ], Balasubrahmanyam recorded 16 songs in just 6 hours. Again for ], he recorded six songs in 4 hours in ]. Between three recording theatres in Mumbai, he sang 17 songs in a day for ].<ref>{{cite web|author=T. Krithika Reddy |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article77605.ece |title=Life & Style / Metroplus : Swinging sixties |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-01-08 |accessdate=2011-05-02}}</ref>


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==Association with composers== ==Association with composers==
{{BLP sources section|date=May 2011}} {{BLP sources section|date=May 2012}}

] used S.P.B's voice in various 1970s Tamil movies. Under his composition S.P.B sang for senior actors like ], ] and ]. He recorded numerous duets with ], ], ] and ].They have been working together till 2013. ] used S.P.B's voice in various 1970s Tamil movies. Under his composition S.P.B sang for senior actors like ], ] and ]. He recorded numerous duets with ], ], ] and ].


Balasubrahmanyam recorded many songs with ] throughout the 1970s, mostly in Telugu. The duo worked in a film called '']'' in 1979 which was based on ]. He got his first National Film Award through this film. Balasubrahmanyam recorded many songs with ] throughout the 1970s, mostly in Telugu. The duo worked in a film called '']'' in 1979 which was based on ]. He got his first National Film Award through this film.
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He mentioned in a function that he was a 'Sevaka' (a servant) of all the ]. He said that the second song he recorded in his career was in Kannada, while the first was in Telugu, but both in the same year. "I don't know why I have become the Servant of Kannadigas. I have been singing from decades in all other languages and in all other states, but the kind of love, affection and respect Karnataka and Kannadigas have given me, no other state or people could give. Though I have sung in all the languages, the place given to the Kannadigas in my heart can never be given to any one else". <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXV8fQJlV-M</ref> He mentioned in a function that he was a 'Sevaka' (a servant) of all the ]. He said that the second song he recorded in his career was in Kannada, while the first was in Telugu, but both in the same year. "I don't know why I have become the Servant of Kannadigas. I have been singing from decades in all other languages and in all other states, but the kind of love, affection and respect Karnataka and Kannadigas have given me, no other state or people could give. Though I have sung in all the languages, the place given to the Kannadigas in my heart can never be given to any one else". <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXV8fQJlV-M</ref>


He started singing for Vishnu from the film ] (his first film as a full fledged hero) in 1972 and their very first song 'Haavina Dwesha Hanneradu Varusha' composed by ] and written by ]. From then he has sung thousands of songs for the actor. He has sung numerous songs for Vishnu and his love for the actor continued when SPB marked his first Kannada film as a Music Director and composed all songs for Vishnuvardhan's film Sowbhagyalakshmi directed by Bhargava. In every film of the late actor, he had to sing couple of songs and Vishnu would insist. S.P.B sung 5 songs in the actor's last Kannada film ] and won the best play back singer Film Fare Award South for the song 'Gharane Ghara Gharane'. When he went to receive the award, he said "This award belongs to Vishnu. I sang for him from his first film till the last film. This shows our friendship. It is his award". After the demise of the actor, SP Balasubrahmanyam, who has sung most of the songs for the late actor, paid tribute to him in a musical night in Bangalore.<ref>http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/25/201109172011091719245753948523770/%E2%80%98Vishnu-still-tells-me-what-to-do%E2%80%99.html</ref> In the concert he emotionally said, "Vishnu was a lovely friend of mine. Though I stopped celebrating my birthday, he never missed any of my birthdays. But when I used to celebrate, I haven’t celebrated a single birthday in Vishnu’s absence. I used to sing and he used to dance. He always used to tell me, you keep coming to Bangalore so many times and it’s been ages since you came home.’ He never liked me staying in a hotel. He always used to complain and ask me, ‘don’t you have one minute’s time to come home’. I didn’t find time, but he found it, to depart. It was too early for him to leave all of us. I don’t know why he took such a decision. This can never be digested. Great people like this friend of mine shouldn’t have left us. We are really unfortunate to have lost him. I cannot talk more, I feel like crying."<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg6d1DlldcA</ref> He started singing for Vishnu from the film '']'' (his first film as a full fledged hero) in 1972 and their very first song 'Haavina Dwesha Hanneradu Varusha' composed by ] and written by ]. From then he has sung thousands of songs for the actor. He has sung numerous songs for Vishnu and his love for the actor continued when SPB marked his first Kannada film as a Music Director and composed all songs for Vishnuvardhan's film ''Sowbhagyalakshmi'' directed by Bhargava. In every film of the late actor, he had to sing couple of songs and Vishnu would insist. S.P.B sung 5 songs in the actor's last Kannada film '']'' and won the best play back singer Film Fare Award South for the song "Gharane Ghara Gharane". When he went to receive the award, he said "This award belongs to Vishnu. I sang for him from his first film till the last film. This shows our friendship. It is his award". After the demise of the actor, SP Balasubrahmanyam, who has sung most of the songs for the late actor, paid tribute to him in a musical night in Bangalore.<ref>http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/25/201109172011091719245753948523770/%E2%80%98Vishnu-still-tells-me-what-to-do%E2%80%99.html</ref> In the concert he emotionally said, "Vishnu was a lovely friend of mine. Though I stopped celebrating my birthday, he never missed any of my birthdays. But when I used to celebrate, I haven’t celebrated a single birthday in Vishnu’s absence. I used to sing and he used to dance. He always used to tell me, you keep coming to Bangalore so many times and it’s been ages since you came home.’ He never liked me staying in a hotel. He always used to complain and ask me, ‘don’t you have one minute’s time to come home’. I didn’t find time, but he found it, to depart. It was too early for him to leave all of us. I don’t know why he took such a decision. This can never be digested. Great people like this friend of mine shouldn’t have left us. We are really unfortunate to have lost him. I cannot talk more, I feel like crying."<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg6d1DlldcA</ref>


==Non-singing career== ==Non-singing career==
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| '']'' || Tamil || || || Police officer | '']'' || Tamil || || || Police officer
|- |-
| ''Parvathalu Paanakalu'' || Telugu || Muthyala Subbaiah || V. Vijay Kumar Varma || Lead role friend of Parvathalu (Dasari Narayana Rao) | ''Parvataalu Paanakalu'' || Telugu || Muthyala Subbaiah || V. Vijay Kumar Varma || Lead role friend of Parvathalu (Dasari Narayana Rao)
|- |-
| rowspan="2"|1993 || '']'' || Tamil || ] || S. Sriram || Lakshmi Narayanan CBI | rowspan="2"|1993 || '']'' || Tamil || ] || S. Sriram || Lakshmi Narayanan CBI
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| ''Nandini'' || Tamil/Telugu || || || Friend of Prakash Raj | ''Nandini'' || Tamil/Telugu || || || Friend of Prakash Raj
|- |-
| '']'' || Telugu || Muthyala Subbaiah || || Venkatesh`s Father | '']'' || Telugu || Muthyala Subbaiah || || Venkatesh`s Father
|- |-
| '']'' || Tamil || ] || R. Ravindran, K. P. Hari || As a doctor | '']'' || Tamil || ] || R. Ravindran, K. P. Hari || As a doctor
Line 189: Line 188:
| ''Uyala'' || Telugu || ] || || As a doctor | ''Uyala'' || Telugu || ] || || As a doctor
|- |-
| ''Pelladi Chupistha'' || Telugu || || ||As himself and mentor of Roja | ''Pelladi Chupista'' || Telugu || || ||As himself and mentor of Roja
|- |-
| ''Mangalyam Tanthu Naanena'' || Kannada || || || Ravichandran's father | ''Mangalyam Tanthu Naanena'' || Kannada || || || Ravichandran's father
Line 195: Line 194:
| rowspan="5"|1999 || ''Aaro Pranam'' || Telugu || || K. Veeru || Father of hero (Vineeth) | rowspan="5"|1999 || ''Aaro Pranam'' || Telugu || || K. Veeru || Father of hero (Vineeth)
|- |-
| ''Dheerga Sumangali Bhava'' || Telugu || ] || ||As a family friend to Dasari's family | ''Deergha Sumangali Bhava'' || Telugu || ] || ||As a family friend to Dasari's family
|- |-
| ''Mechanic Maavaiah'' || Telugu || || ||As a scientist | ''Mechanic Maavaiah'' || Telugu || || ||As a scientist
|- |-
| ''Paadutha Theeyaga'' || Telugu || || || Father of heroine(Heera) | ''Paaduta Teeyaga'' || Telugu || || || Father of heroine(Heera)
|- |-
| ''Pedda Manushulu'' || Telugu || || || | ''Pedda Manushulu'' || Telugu || || ||
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| 2011 || '']'' || Telugu || ] || ] || Mahadevaraya's father | 2011 || '']'' || Telugu || ] || ] || Mahadevaraya's father
|- |-
| 2012 || '']'' || Telugu || Janardhana Maharshi || Ammanni Narayan || Sambamurthy | 2012 || '']'' || Telugu || Janardana Maharshi || Ammanni Narayan || Sambamurthy
|-
| 2012 || '']'' || Telugu || ]||Anand Muvida Rao ||Appa Dasu | 2012 || '']'' || Telugu || ]||Anand Muvida Rao ||Appa Dasu
|- |-
|} |}
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| '''Notes''' | '''Notes'''
|- |-
| ''Nadhi Enge Pogiradhu'' || ] || Serial | ''Nadhi Enge Pogirathu'' || ] || Serial
|- |-
| ''Jannal'' || Tamil || TV Serial | ''Jannal'' || Tamil || TV Serial
Line 357: Line 357:
| |
|- |-
| ''Seethamma Pelli'' | ''Seetamma Pelli''
| Telugu | Telugu
| ] | ]
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| Kavithalaya Productions | Kavithalaya Productions
|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| Telugu | Telugu
| |
| Sravanthi Movies | Sravanti Movies
|- |-
| rowspan="2"|1992 | rowspan="2"|1992

Revision as of 23:41, 10 June 2013

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Background information
Birth nameSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam
Born (1946-06-04) 4 June 1946 (age 78)
Konetammapeta, Nagari Mandal, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.)
OriginAndhra Pradesh, India
GenresPlayback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, music director, film producer
Years active1965–present
Musical artist

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam (pronunciation; born 4 June 1946) is an Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and film producer. He is sometimes referred to as S. P. B. or Balu. He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times and the Nandi Awards in Telugu cinema 25 times from Government of Andhra Pradesh.

He has sung over 40,000 songs in various Indian languages. He is the only playback singer in India to have won National Film Awards across four languages. He has also won a Filmfare Award, three Filmfare Awards South and numerous state awards from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He is a recipient of civilian awards such as Padmashri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the government of India.

Early life and background

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Balasubrahmanyam was born to S. P. Sambamurthy in Konetammapeta of Madras Presidency, present day Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Balasubrahmanyam's father was a Harikatha artist who had also acted in plays. He has two brothers and five sisters. He is the elder brother of singer S.P. Sailaja. He is married to Savitri and has two children, Pallavi and S. P. B. Charan who is a playback singer and film producer as well.

Balasubrahmanyam developed an interest towards music at an early age, studied notations and learned to play instruments such as the harmonium and flute on his own while listening to his father. His father wanted him to become an engineer, which brought him to Anantapur, where he enrolled for the Engineering course at JNTU College of Engineering Anantapur. Later he discontinued the course due to typhoid, and then joined as an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Chennai. Meanwhile, he also pursued his hobby and won awards at many singing competitions. In 1964, he won the first prize in a music competition for amateur singers organised by the Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organisation, and earned his first opportunity from music director S. P. Kodandapani.

After dropping out of engineering, Balasubrahmayam used to regularly visit music composers seeking for opportunities to sing. The first song that he sang for an audition was, "Nilave Ennidam Nerungadhe", a melody rendered by veteran playback singer P. B. Srinivas. It was P. B. Srinivas who used to write and give him some multi-lingual verses in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, English and Urdu.

Playback singing career

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in 2013

Balasubrahmanyam has sung more than 40,000 songs in different Indian languages.

Early career: 1960s

Before becoming a cinema singer, Balasubrahmanyam was the leader of a light music troupe composed of Anirutta (on the harmonium), Ilaiyaraaja (on guitar and later on harmonium), Baskar (on percussion), and Gangai Amaran (on guitar). Balasubrahmanyam made his debut as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, a Telugu film scored by his mentor, S. P. Kodandapani. He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by S. P. Kodandapani and the legendary singer Ghantasala.

He recorded his first Tamil song in the 1969 film Shanthi Nilaiyam starring Gemini Ganesan and the song is " Eyarkai ennum illaya kanni". He sang "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for M.G.R in the Tamil film Aadimai Pennwhich released first before Shanthi nilayam could release. He was introduced to Malayalam film industry by G.Devarajan in the film Kadalppalam in 1969 he sang "Ee Kadalum Marukadalum"

Prominence in south: 1970s

He received his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1980 for the Telugu film Shankarabharanam, a film directed by K. Vishwanath. In 1976, he recorded up to 23 songs, including 15 duets with P. Susheela in a single day. For Kannada composer Upendra Kumar, Balasubrahmanyam recorded 16 songs in just 6 hours. Again for Ram Laxman, he recorded six songs in 4 hours in Mumbai. Between three recording theatres in Mumbai, he sang 17 songs in a day for Anand-Milind.

He is the first recipient of the "Ghantasala National Award" named after the famous and legendary singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, and whom Balasubrahmanyam admires a lot. He has often referred to himself as "Ekalavya Sishya" (untutored disciple) of Ghantasala

Bollywood entry: 1980s

Balasubrahmanyam's first break in Hindi films was Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981), for which he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He was playback singer for Bollywood actor Salman Khan in most of his movies from 1989 to 1995. For example, in movies like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Andaz Apna Apna, all songs pictured on Salman Khan are sung by him. They were very well received and remembered even to this day due to his voice's apt setting with Salman Khan.

1990s

In the 1990s he worked with composers like Vidyasagar, M. M. Keeravani, S. A. Rajkumar, but his association with A.R.Rahman turned out be a major success.

The song "Umandu Ghumandu" from the Kannada film Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi (1995) was based on Hindustani classical music, for which he received his 4th National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

Association with composers

This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
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M. S. Viswanathan used S.P.B's voice in various 1970s Tamil movies. Under his composition S.P.B sang for senior actors like M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan. He recorded numerous duets with P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vani Jayaram and L. R. Eswari.

Balasubrahmanyam recorded many songs with K. V. Mahadevan throughout the 1970s, mostly in Telugu. The duo worked in a film called Shankarabharanam in 1979 which was based on carnatic music. He got his first National Film Award through this film.

Balasubrahmanyam's association with Ilaiyaraaja began in the late 1970s when the latter made his cinematic debut. Balasubrahmanyam began to record more songs in Tamil especially for Ilaiyaraaja. The Ilaiyaraaja-S.P.B-S. Janaki trio was considered to be highly successful in the Tamil film industry from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. The trio went on to work in Telugu films based on classical music like Saagara Sangamam (1983), for which both Ilaiayaraaja and S.P.B won National Film Awards, Swathi Muthyam (1986) and Rudraveena (1988) which again fetched National Awards for Ilaiyaraaja and S.P.B

Balasubramanyam's association with Hamsalekha began after the latter's successful venture premalokha in Kannada. Balasubramanyam sung most number of songs for Hamsalekha in Kannada. He also got National Award for the song 'Umandu Gumundu' of the movie Ganayogi Pachakshari Gavayi composed by Hamsalekha.

Balasubrahmanyam recorded three songs for A. R. Rahman in his debut film Roja. He had a long time association with Rahman right from Roja, the latter's debut film. Other popular songs include "July Maadham" from Pudhiya Mugam, which also marked the debut of singer Anupama, "Mannoothu Manthayilae" from Kizhakku Cheemayile which was a folk number and he almost sang all songs in the musical love story Duet and "Thanga Thaamarai" from Minsara Kanavu which fetched his sixth and latest of his National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer till date.

Love for Karnataka and Kannadigas

He has sung thousands of songs in Kannada for all the actors and stars of the industry, mainly for Vishnuvardhan.

In an interview to Deccan Herald news paper on August 27th 2001, SPB said, "The love and affection shown to him by people of Karnataka was unparalleled, which no other state had given him since the last 35-years as a film playback singer". This was when he received the annual ‘Sangeeta Ganga’ award for his contribution to Kannada music. He also said that, the award presented to him was more prestigious than several other awards given to him.

In the musical show that he hosts in ETV Kannada called ‘Ede Thumbi Haduvenu’, he said "People of Karnataka have forgotten that I am from other state and have accepted me as a Kannadiga. They have made me a part and parcel of Karnataka and I am overwhelmed by their love towards me. I have always told the public and the press of all languages that the love Kannadigas can give no others can give and that's motherly love. This is something extra-ordinary. I am scared too because people will not be able to take it if a very small mistake happens from a person they love. For the love they have given me, I have to go to each one’s house in Karnataka, wash their feet with water and sprinkle it on my head. If god gives me another Janma (Life), I want to be born in Karnataka as a Kannadiga and I proudly say it. Tomorrow the press and media may say, I am from Andhra and I have sung songs in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and many other languages, but why such a statement. But that is the kind of love Kannadigas have showered on me". In another episode of the show he said, "In any state or Language, I have seen people’s behavior changing a lot once they taste success, but in Karnataka, whether it is Vishnu (Dr.Vishnuvardhan), Raj (Dr.Rajkumar), Ambi (Dr.Ambareesh), Srinath or any actor for that matter, there is not a single change in them despite the heights they have reached till date. They are all still like children and our friendship remains the same. These gentlemen of Karnataka have never forgotten their past. I haven’t been respected in such a way in any other language in India".

He mentioned in a function that he was a 'Sevaka' (a servant) of all the Kannadigas. He said that the second song he recorded in his career was in Kannada, while the first was in Telugu, but both in the same year. "I don't know why I have become the Servant of Kannadigas. I have been singing from decades in all other languages and in all other states, but the kind of love, affection and respect Karnataka and Kannadigas have given me, no other state or people could give. Though I have sung in all the languages, the place given to the Kannadigas in my heart can never be given to any one else".

He started singing for Vishnu from the film Naagarahaavu (his first film as a full fledged hero) in 1972 and their very first song 'Haavina Dwesha Hanneradu Varusha' composed by Vijaya Bhaskar and written by Vijaya Narasimha. From then he has sung thousands of songs for the actor. He has sung numerous songs for Vishnu and his love for the actor continued when SPB marked his first Kannada film as a Music Director and composed all songs for Vishnuvardhan's film Sowbhagyalakshmi directed by Bhargava. In every film of the late actor, he had to sing couple of songs and Vishnu would insist. S.P.B sung 5 songs in the actor's last Kannada film Aaptharakshaka and won the best play back singer Film Fare Award South for the song "Gharane Ghara Gharane". When he went to receive the award, he said "This award belongs to Vishnu. I sang for him from his first film till the last film. This shows our friendship. It is his award". After the demise of the actor, SP Balasubrahmanyam, who has sung most of the songs for the late actor, paid tribute to him in a musical night in Bangalore. In the concert he emotionally said, "Vishnu was a lovely friend of mine. Though I stopped celebrating my birthday, he never missed any of my birthdays. But when I used to celebrate, I haven’t celebrated a single birthday in Vishnu’s absence. I used to sing and he used to dance. He always used to tell me, you keep coming to Bangalore so many times and it’s been ages since you came home.’ He never liked me staying in a hotel. He always used to complain and ask me, ‘don’t you have one minute’s time to come home’. I didn’t find time, but he found it, to depart. It was too early for him to leave all of us. I don’t know why he took such a decision. This can never be digested. Great people like this friend of mine shouldn’t have left us. We are really unfortunate to have lost him. I cannot talk more, I feel like crying."

Non-singing career

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Actor

As an actor he played in films like Muddina Mava, Hethare Hennanne Herabeku, Mangalyam Thanthunana, Pakkinti Ammayi, Parvathaalu Paanakalu, Pelli Varamandi, Kalyanathasava, Malle Pandiri, Raja Hamsa, Keladi Kanmani, Minsara Kanavu, Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Thiruda Thiruda, Kanmani, Sigaram, Maya, Avvai Shanmugi, Ratchagan, Nandhini, Kadhalan, Prema Maha Yedabidargi, Maya Bazaar. He received the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Telugu movie Pavithra Bandham (1996) from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Recently he worked in a telugu film called Mithunam directed by Tanikella Bharani. Mithunam got a critical acclaim from various people

Music composer

He has composed music for around 40 films and albums like Seethamma Pelli, Bharyamani, Sandarbha, Bangaru Chilaka, Mayuri, Ramanna Shyamanna, Ksherasaagara, Devaralle Dane, Belliyappa Bangarappa beside few films like Muddina Maava, Sigaram, Unnai Charanadaithaen, Padamati Sandhya Ragam in Telugu, Hindi Tamil and Kannada languages. He also owns a production company called Kodandapani Film Circuits (now Captain cine creations) and produces film under this banner. Films like Subha Sankalpam, Bhamane Satya Bhamane were produced by him.

Television career

He began a Tamil serial with actress Lakshmi called En Jannal Vandha directed by K. Balachander. He hosts many music shows in Telugu television including Paadutha Theeyaga on E-TV, Paadalani Undi on MAA TV, a very popular Kannada show called Ede Thumbi Haaduvenu on E-TV Kannada, and the Tamil shows Ennodu Paattu Paadungal on Jaya TV and Vaanampaadi on Kalaignar TV. He also anchors a music show called Sunada Vinodini on TTD Channel. He is a judge on ETV Telugu's Paduta Teeyaga. This is a semi-classical music competition airing on Monday evenings.

Voice actor

Balasubrahmanyam accidentally became a dubbing artist with Kamal Hassan's film Manmadha Leela, the dubbed version of Manmadha Leelai. He has also provided voice-overs for various artists, including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Salman Khan, K. Bhagyaraj, Mohan, Anil Kapoor, Girish Karnad, Gemini Ganesan, Arjun Sarja, Nagesh, Karthik and Raghuvaran in various languages. He was assigned as the default dubbing artist for Kamal Hassan in Telugu dubbed versions of Tamil films and vice versa. For the Telugu version of Dasavathaaram he gave voice to 7 characters (including the female character) out of 10 characters played by Kamal Hassan. He was awarded Best Dubbing Artist for the films Annamayya and Sri Sai Mahima.

Filmography

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See also: List of awards and nominations received by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

As actor

Year Film Language Director Producer Role
1969 Pellante Noorella Panta Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah
1971 Mohammed Bin Tuglaq Tamil Cho Ramaswamy Guest role in a song
1980 Pakkinti Ammayi Telugu K. Vasu A. Sarathy Bala Raju
1982 Baalondu Chaduranga Kannada Dore Bhagavan
Malle Pandiri Telugu Jandhyala Challa Venkatramaiah Sheik Moses Murthy
1983 Bharat 2000 Kannada
Tirugu Bhana Kannada K. S. R. Doss
1987 Manathil Uruthi Vendum Tamil K. Balachander Kavithalaya Films As a doctor
1988 Prema Telugu Suresh Krishna As an advisor to Venkatesh
Vivaha Bhojanambu Telugu Jandhyala Guest role as a police
1990 Keladi Kanmani Tamil Vasanth A. R. Rangaraj
Palai Vanna Ragangal Tamil
Sigaram Tamil Ananthu Kavithalaya Films As a music director
Thalai Vaasal Tamil Selva As a college principal
1992 Koteswaran Tamil Father of hero
Thyagu Tamil
Guna Tamil Police officer
Parvataalu Paanakalu Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah V. Vijay Kumar Varma Lead role friend of Parvathalu (Dasari Narayana Rao)
1993 Thiruda Thiruda Tamil Mani Ratnam S. Sriram Lakshmi Narayanan CBI
Muddina Maava Kannada Om Sai Prakash K. Prabhakar Ramayya
1994 Jolly Telugu Teacher
Kadhalan Tamil Shankar K. T. Kunjumon As Father of Prabhu Deva – Policeman
1995 Raja Hamsa Telugu As doctor, family friend
1996 Drohi Telugu
Kadhal Desam Tamil Kathir K. T. Kunjumon Divya's father
Minsara Kanavu Tamil Rajeev Menon M. Balasubramaniam, M. Saravanan, M. S. Guhan Thangadurai
Myna Telugu
Nandini Tamil/Telugu Friend of Prakash Raj
Pavitra Bandham Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah Venkatesh`s Father
Avvai Shanmughi Tamil K. S. Ravikumar R. Ravindran, K. P. Hari As a doctor
Kandaen Seethayae Tamil Balachandra Menon Raveendran (Wig Maker Ravi) As a Police officer
1997 Devullu Telugu Kodi Ramakrishna Haribabu Chegondi, Rambabu Karatam Lord Vinayaka
Pellivaramandi Telugu K. Veeru V. Jayasri, A. Prakash As hero's father
Prena Telugu
Ullaasam Tamil J. D. and Jerry Amitabh Bachchan As a bus driver – Ajith Kumar's father
Ratchagan Tamil Praveen Gandhi K. T. Kunjumon, Francis Joseph LIC Padmanabhan, Nagarjuna's father
Wife of V. Varaprasad Telugu Vamsy Ram Gopal Varma As Vineeth's grandfather
1998 Bharathan Tamil
Paattu Paadavaa Tamil Giridharan
Sandhrba Kannada
Uyala Telugu S. V. Krishna Reddy As a doctor
Pelladi Chupista Telugu As himself and mentor of Roja
Mangalyam Tanthu Naanena Kannada Ravichandran's father
1999 Aaro Pranam Telugu K. Veeru Father of hero (Vineeth)
Deergha Sumangali Bhava Telugu S. V. Krishna Reddy As a family friend to Dasari's family
Mechanic Maavaiah Telugu As a scientist
Paaduta Teeyaga Telugu Father of heroine(Heera)
Pedda Manushulu Telugu
2000 Goppinti Alludu Telugu E. V. V. Satyanarayana Nandamuri Rama Krishna Balakrishna's father
Manasu Paddanu Kanni Telugu As father of Rasi
Maya Tamil
Priyamaanavale Tamil K. Selvabharathi C. Venkata Raju, G. Sivaraju Vishwanath
2001 Chirujallu Telugu Shriram Balaji G. V. G Raju As father of Richa
2002 Indra Telugu B. Gopal Vyjayanthi Movies As Himself
Padharella Ammayi Telugu Krishna Mohan Reddy
April Maadhathil Tamil S. S. Stanley V. Gnanavelu, V. Jayaprakash As himself
2003 Magic Magic 3D Malayalam Jose Punnoose Navodaya Acharya
Fools Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Ravindra Babu Guest role
Maha Yedabidangi Kannada
2004 Royela Telugu
2006 Mayabazaar Telugu Mohana Krishna RKK Films Banner As Lord Kubera
Roommates Telugu AVS Visu Films Pvt Ltd As himself
2007 Yen Uyirinum Melana Tamil K. R. Jaya N. Thirumuragan
Astram Telugu Suresh Krishna Raju Hirwani
Kallu Telugu M. V. Raghu
Kalyanothasava Kannada Retired army captain
Malle Pandiri Telugu
Hetthare Hennanne Herabeku Kannada Sai Prakash Sukku Dr.Dasari Narayana Rao
2010 Naanayam Tamil Shakthi S.Rajan S. P. B. Charan CEO Viswanath
2011 Shakti Telugu Meher Ramesh C. Ashwini Dutt Mahadevaraya's father
2012 Devasthanam Telugu Janardana Maharshi Ammanni Narayan Sambamurthy
2012 Mithunam Telugu Tanikella Bharani Anand Muvida Rao Appa Dasu

Television career

Name Language Notes
Nadhi Enge Pogirathu Tamil Serial
Jannal Tamil TV Serial
Vaanam Paadi Tamil Music show
Paadutha Theeyaga Telugu Music show
Paadalani Undhi Telugu Music show
Endaro Mahanubhavulu Telugu Serial
Ennodu Pattu Paadungal Tamil Music show
Edhe Thumbi Haaduvenu Kannada Music show

As music composer

Year Film Language Director Producer/banner
1977 Kanya Kumari Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao Sarigama Arts
1978 Sandarbha Kannada
1979 Captain Krishna Telugu K. S. R. Das
Ra Ra Krishnayya Telugu
Thoorpu Velle Railu Telugu Bapu
1980 Hum Paanch (Background Score) Hindi Bapu S.K. Films
1981 Ohamma Katha Telugu Vasanta Sen
Sangeeta Telugu
Thaiyyalkaaran Tamil Kalaipuli International
1983 Thudikkum Karangal Tamil Sridhar K. R. Gangadharan
Uranta Sankranti Telugu Dasari Narayana Rao
1984 Bharyamani Telugu Vijaya Bapineedu Srinivasa Productions
Mantri Gaari Viyyankudu Telugu Bapu
Seetamma Pelli Telugu Bapu Muddu Art Movies
1985 Bangaru Chilaka Telugu Maheswari Movies
Bullet Telugu
Devaralledane Kannada Chamundi Production
Dongallo Dora Telugu
Jockey Telugu Muddu Art Movies
Kongumudi Telugu Vijaya Bapineedu Raghavendra Cine Creations
Mayuri Tamil Singeetam Srinivasa Rao B.R. Creations in association with ushakiran movies
Mayuri Telugu Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Usha Kiran Movies
Muddula Manavaralu Telugu Jandhyala Muddu Art Movies
1986 Bete Kannada Vajragiri Films
Maghadeerudu Telugu Shyam Prasad Arts
Naach Mayuri Hindi Lakshmi Productions
Padamati Sandhya Ragam Telugu Jandhyala Gummaluri Sastry, Meer Abdulla
Sowbhagyalakshmi Kannada Bhargava Vasu Chitra
1987 Gouthami Telugu Radha Madhava Films
Lawyer Suhasini Telugu Vamsy Jayakrishna Combines
Pratima Telugu
Ramu Telugu Suresh Productions
1988 Chinnodu Peddodu Telugu Relangi Narasimha Rao Sridevi Movies
Kallu Telugu M. V. Raghu Mahashakthi Films
Neeku Naaku Pellanta Telugu Jandhyala J.J. Movies
Oh Bharya Katha Telugu Mouli Ushakiron Movies
Premayanam Telugu Ushakiron Movies
Ramanna Shyamanna Kannada B. Subbarao Vasu Chitra
Vivaaha Bhojanambu Telugu Jandhyala J.J. Movies
1990 Siddartha Telugu
1991 Mahayagnam Telugu
Sigaram Tamil Ananthu Kavithalaya Productions
Jaitra Yatra Telugu Sravanti Movies
1992 Belliyappa Banagarappa Kannada Poorna Prajna Madhu Bangarappa
Ksheera Saagara Kannada Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
1993 Muddina Maava Kannada Om Sai Prakash Vijaya Sridevi Combines
2003 Unnai Charanadaindhen Tamil Samuthirakani Capital Cine Works

References

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  36. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/review/9113.html

External links

National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
1967–1980
1981–2000
2001–2020
2021–present
Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer
1960–1980
1981–2000
2001-2020
2021–present

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