S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

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S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
S.P.B.

Background information
Born June 4, 1946 (1946-06-04) (age 62)
Origin Flag of India Andhra Pradesh
Genre(s) playback singing
Occupation(s) singer, music director
Years active 1966 – present
Website Official website

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, (Telugu:బాల సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం) is a prolific Indian singer. He is also known as S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P.B. and Baalu in the media.

Contents

[edit] Family

He was born as Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam into an orthodox family on June 4, 1946 in Konetammapeta (then in Andhra Pradesh and now in Tamil Nadu). He is the second son in a family of three sons and five daughters. His father S. P. Sambamurthy was a well-known exponent of Harikatha and his sister S.P. Sailaja is a former actress-singer in Telugu. He has two children - Pallavi and Charan.

[edit] Early days

He got his first oppurtunity in 1966 to sing in the kannada film Gandhinagara starring Dr.Rajkumar in the lead role.He has captivated the audience with his mesmerising voice and approach with samskara,which is bcoming dearth in present day artists. Balu took to singing as a hobby during his childhood. He developed an interest in music very early in his life, and had studied notations and learnt to play instruments such as harmonium and flute on his own while listening to his father. His father wished that Balu should become an engineer which brought him to Ananthpur, where he enrolled for the AMIE course in JNTU. Meanwhile, he also pursued his hobby and won awards at many singing competitions. From there he had identified as a good singer in annual, college functions where he use to sing and then referred and recommended by his friends for Madras, to sing.

In 1964, a Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organisation, organised a music competition for amateur singers. Balu won the first prize, and that proved a turning point in his life. Music director SP Kodandapani took him under his wing. Then offers poured in from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam movies.

[edit] Band

Before he became a full fledged cinema singer, SPB was the leader of a light music troupe that comprising

  • Anirutta, who was working in Corporation and was the harmonium artist
  • Ilaiyaraaja who joined the group as Guitarist and then moved over to harmonium after Anirutta became busy in his regular job
  • Baskar, Ilaiyaraaja's brother who was in charge of Percussion
  • Gangai Amaran another brother of Ilaiyaraaja who was the Guitarist after Ilaiyaraaja moved over to Harmonium[1]

[edit] Singer

Balasubrahmanyam made his debut in film music as a singer in Dec 15,1966 with Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, a film scored by his mentor Kodandapani. He has sung more than 39,000 songs[2]since in more than 5 different Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam. However, he has sung most of his songs in Tamil. He holds the Guinness record for having sung the most number of song recordings by any singer (the record for a female singer is held by Lata Mangeshkar).

A gifted singer, he is highly regarded for his incredible vocal range, deep rich voice, and mastery of style, technique and control. These qualities allowed him expression across various genres of Indian music, and he has been highly sought after by many of India's film music composers. His approach to singing is methodical; he perseveres to understand the full meaning of the songs that he sings (many of which are very poetic) and the settings in which these songs are couched in order to most effectively match their requirements with his vocal delivery.S.P.B., though was very young, started singing for many different language films. As he became very busy, at times he used to sing even 17 songs in 12 hours at the recording theatre. He has also sung in Sanskrit and some regard his pronunciation of this language to be very good.

He has performed both the popular and classical music of India. For example, the songs he performed in the films Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Rudra Veena were based on Carnatic classical music, and the song Umandu Ghumandu in the movie Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi was based on Hindustani classical music.

SPB virtually monopolised playback singing for more than 30 years in the Telugu, Kannada and Tamil cinema.His contemporary Dr.K.J.Yesudas monopolised the Malayalam music industry. SPB sang only a few songs in Malayalam. Although Yesudas' voice was regarded more suitable for sad songs in Tamil, SPB also sang some of the evergreen sad songs in Tamil such as 'Naanum unthen uravai','Nenjukkulle'and 'Kuyile pudichu'. He hosts a popular TV show called Paadutha Theeyaga on E-TV, Paadalani Undi on MAA-TV ,Ede Thumbi Haaduvenu on 'E-TV Kannada' and 'Ennodo Paattu Paadungal' on JAYA-TV. His recent achievement is Pandurangadu, a mythological cum historical movie in telugu releasing in May'2008.His voice modulation , vibrations have a divinity.He enthralled all listeners with his great voice in this picture.

[edit] Awards and titles

Year Award From
2001 Padma Sri President of India K.R.Narayanan
1999 Doctorate Pottisreeramulu University (A.P.) Presented by Governor Rangarajan

National awards

Year Movie Song Language
1996 Minsaara Kanavu Thanga Thamarai Tamil
1995 Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai Umandu Ghumandu Ghana Gar Je Badara Kannada
1988 Rudra Veena Cheppaalani Undi Telugu
1983 Saagara Sangamam Thakitha Thadimi Telugu
1981 Ek Duje Ke Liye Tere Mere Beech Mein Hindi
1979 Shankarabharanam Om Kaara Nadhaanu Telugu

State awards

Year Film For From Comments
2005 Pellam Pichhodu Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
2003 Seetayya Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Idigo Rayalaseema Gadda
2002 Vasu Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
2000 Raghavayyagari Abbai Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1997 Priya Ragalu Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Chinna Chiru Chiru Navvula Chinna
1997 Annamayya Best Dubbing Artist Andhra Pradesh Dubbing for Suman
1996 Pavithra Bhandam Best Supporting Actor Andhra Pradesh Father of Venkatesh
1994 Bhairavadweepam Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Sri Thumbura Narada
1993 Mr.Pellaam Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1992 Bangaaru mama Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1991 Chanti Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1989 Neerajanam Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1987 Abhinandana Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Rangulalo Kalavo
1986 Sirivennela Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Vidhatha Thalapuna
1985 Mayuri Best Music Director Andhra Pradesh
1985 Mayuri Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1984 Suvarna sundari Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Idi Naa Jeevithalapana
1983 Bahudoorapu baatasaari Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Ekkada Thalupulu
1981 Premaabhishekam Best Singer Andhra Pradesh Agadu Agadu e nimishamu
1979 Shankarabharanam Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
1978 Naalaaga endaro Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
  • The Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu Government in 1981
  • Tamil Nadu Government Award - received 3 times
  • Film Fans' Association (Madras) Award (oldest association in the country) - received 20 times

[edit] Other awards

  • September 1, 2002 Life time Achievement Award "Play back King", conferred during TVS Victor Aalaapana Music Awards function for the years 2001 & 2002, at Hyderabad
  • August 5, 2002 "Dr. Bezawada Gopala Reddy Award", given during a function in Nellore
  • April 7, 2002 Delhi Telugu Academy's 'Rashtriya Vikas Shiromani Award (Life time)' in 2002 on the occasion of 'Ugadi 2002', held in New Delhi
  • 2002 Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas award
  • 2001 Sangeeta Ganga award
  • 1990 Film Fare Award for the film 'Maine Pyar Kiya'
  • 2006 Raja-Lakshmi Award from Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation, Chennai
  • 2006 Best Playback Singer from Vijay TV, Reliance Mobile Vijay awards
  • Mia Tansen Award Sur Singar Sanjad (Bombay) for best classical rendition of a song from 'Tere Payal Mere Geeth' composed by Naushad Sab
  • Innumerable Awards from Magazines & Associations fostering films
  • BAsavashree Awrd -2007 - Karnataka Government

FILM FARE NOMINATIONS ( Hindi films )

  • Ek Duje keliye - 1981
  • Maine Pyar Kiya - 1989

[edit] Achievements

  • Has recorded over 38,000 plus songs in a span of 40 years, which include film songs and devotional numbers recorded by various recording companies of the country. It's a world record which will be soon entering into the Guinness Book of World Records.
  • Has recorded 21 songs in Kannada for the composer Upendra Kumar in Bangalore from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. on February 8, 1981 which is a record.
  • Has recorded 19 songs in Tamil in a day, and 16 songs in Hindi in a day, which is a notable achievement.

He also acted in various movies in full fledged roles or as comeos. And is also an anchor for a TV programme by name "Paduta Teeyaga".

[edit] Dubbing artist

He has also given voice for various artists like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Bhagyaraj, Mohan, Girish Karnad, Gemini Ganesh, Nagesh, Karthik, Raghuvaran, Vinodkumar etc.

[edit] Actor

He has been acting for over twenty years as a support artist in a wide range of roles.

Year Movie Name Language Director Producer Role
1969 Pellante Noorella Panta
1971 Mohammed Bin Tuglaq Telugu Cho Ramaswamy Guest role in a song
1976 Parvathalu Paanakalu Telugu
1980 Pakkinti Ammayi Telugu Friend of Chandra Mohan
1982 Balendu Chadaranga Kannada
1982 Malle Pandiri Telugu Jandhyala Challa Venkatramaiah
1983 Bharat 2000 Kannada
1987 Manadil Urudi Vendum Tamil K. Balachander Kavithalaya Films
1988 Prema Telugu
1988 Vivaha Bhojanambu Telugu
1990 Keladi Kanmani Tamil Hero
1990 O Papa Lali Telugu Hero
1990 Palai Vanna Ragangal Tamil
1992 Koteswaran Tamil
1992 Thyagu Tamil
1992 Guna Tamil Police Officer
1993 Donga Donga Telugu Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam CBI Officer
1993 Thiruda Thiruda Tamil Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam CBI Officer
1994 Jolly Telugu
1994 Kaadalan Tamil Shankar K. T. Kunjumon Father of Prabhu Deva
1994 Premikudu Telugu Shankar Father of Prabhu Deva
1994 Ullasam Tamil Father of Ajith Kumar
1995 Raja Hamsa Telugu
1995 Tirugu Bhana Kannada
1996 Drohi Telugu
1996 Kaadal Desam Tamil Kathir Father of Tabu
1996 Merupu Kalalu Telugu Rajiv Menon AVM Father of Aravind Swamy
1996 Minsarakanavu Tamil Rajeev Menon AVM Father of Aravind Swamy
1996 Myna Telugu
1996 Nandini Tamil
1996 Pavithra Bandham Telugu Father of Venkateseh
1996 Prema Desam Telugu Kathir JRS Combines Father of Tabu
1997 Devullu Telugu Lord Vinayaka
1997 Pellivaramandi Telugu
1997 Prena Telugu
1997 Rakshagan Tamil Praveenkanth K.Kunjumon Father of Nagarjuna
1997 Rakshakudu Telugu Praveenkanth Father of Nagarjuna
1997 w/o Vara Prasad Telugu Grand Father of Vineet
1998 Bharath Tamil
1998 Paattu Paaduva Tamil Hero
1998 Sandhrba Kannada
1999 Aaro Pranam Telugu K Veeru Father of Vineet
1999 Avvai Shanmugi Tamil K.S.Ravikumar Guest role as doctor
1999 Bhamane Sathyabhamane Telugu K.S.Ravikumar Guest role as doctor
1999 Dheerga Sumangali Telugu
1999 Mechanic Maavaiah Telugu
1999 Paadutha Theeyaga Telugu Father of Heroine
2000 Goppinti Alludu Telugu Father of Bala Krishna
2000 Manasu Paddanu Kanni Telugu
2000 Maya Tamil
2000 Priyamaanavale Tamil K. Selvabharathi Father of Vijay
2002 Indra Telugu Vyjayanthi Movies As Dr.SPB
2002 Padharella Ammayi Telugu
2003 Magic Magic Tamil Jose Navodaya As a Magician
2003 Magic Magic Telugu Jose Navodaya As a Magician
2003 Maha Yedabidangi Kannada
2004 Royela Telugu
2006 Mayabazaar Telugu Mohana Krishna RKK Films Banner As Lord Kubera
2006 Roommates Telugu AVS Visu Films Pvt Ltd As himself
2007 Yen Uyirinum Melana (not released yet) Tamil
April Maadham Tamil
Astram Telugu
Kallu Telugu
Kalyanothasava Kannada Retd.Army Captain
Malle Pandiri Tamil
Mangalyam Tatu Nanena Kannada
Muddina Maava Kannada Ramayya
Pedda Manushulu Telugu
Pelladi Chupistha Telugu
Sigaram Tamil Kavithalaya Films
Thalai Vaasal Tamil


He has also acted in two serials in Tamil

  • Nadhi Enge Pogiradhu (which also had actress Roja)
  • Jannal(also had actress Lakshmi)

[edit] Music director

Year Movie Name Language Director Producer/Banner
Thudikkum Karangal Tamil
Unnai Charanadaindhen Tamil
1977 Kanya Kumari Telugu Dr.Dasari Narayana Rao Sarigama Arts
1978 Sandarbha Kannada
1979 Captain Krishna Telugu K.S.R. Das
1979 Ra Ra Krishnayya Telugu
1979 Toorpu Velle Railu Telugu
1980 Hum Paanch (Background Score) Hindi S.K. Films
1981 Ohamma Katha Telugu
1981 Sangeeta Telugu
1981 Thaiyyalkaaran Tamil Kalaipuli International
1983 Uranta Sankranti Telugu
1984 Bharyamani Telugu Srinivasa Productions
1984 Seethamma Pelli Telugu Muddu Art Movies
1985 Bangaru Chilaka Telugu Maheswari Movies
1985 Devaralledane Kannada Chamundi Production
1985 Dongallo Dora Telugu
1985 Jockey Telugu Muddu Art Movies
1985 Kongumudi Telugu Raghavendra Cine Creations
1985 Mayuri Tamil Singitam Srinivasa Rao B.R. Creations
1985 Mayuri Telugu Singitam Srinivasa Rao Ushakiran Movies
1985 Muddula Manavaralu Telugu Jandhyala Muddu Art Movies
1986 Bete Kannada Vajragiri Films
1986 Maghadeerudu Telugu Shyam Prasad Arts
1986 Naach Mayuri Hindi Lakshmi Productions
1986 Padamati Sandya Ragam Telugu Jandhyala
1986 Sowbhagyalakshmi Kannada Vasu Chitra
1987 Gouthami Telugu Radha Madhava Films
1987 Lawyer Suhasini Telugu Jayakrishna Combines
1987 Pratima Telugu
1987 Ramu Telugu Suresh Productions
1988 Chinnodu Peddodu Telugu Relangi Narasimha Rao Sridevi Movies
1988 Kallu Telugu Mahashakthi Films
1988 Neeku Naaku Pellanta Telugu J.J. Movies
1988 Oh Bharya Katha Telugu Ushakiron Movies
1988 Premayanam Telugu Ushakiron Movies
1988 Ramanna Shyamanna Kannada Vasu Chitra
1989 Vivaaha Bhojanam Telugu J.J. Movies
1990 Siddartha Telugu
1991 Mahayagnam Telugu
1991 Sigaram Tamil Kavithalaya Productions
1992 Belliyappa Banagarappa Kannada
1992 Jaithra Yaatra Telugu Sravanthi Movies
1992 Ksheera Saagara Kannada
1993 Muddina Maava Kannada Vijaya Sridevi Combines
2005 Unnai Charanadaithaen Tamil

[edit] Other facts

Besides playback singing, Balasubramaniam is also the chairman of Kodandapani Audio Labs, Chennai.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dinathanthi, Nellai Edition, Page 11 dated Aug 11,2006
  2. ^ Welcome to S.P.Balasubrahmanyam (playback singer, producer, actor, music director) home page

[edit] External links