Six-time national award winner SP Balasubrahmanyam, who had lent his youthful voice to more than 40,000 songs in a career spanning 55 years, was one of our music industry’s most treasured musicians.
The 74-year old legendary playback singer breathed his last today at 1:04 PM at the MGM Healthcare hospital in Chennai while battling COVID-19, reports HT. He had been admitted to the hospital since August 5, 2020. Although reports suggest that he had tested negative for coronavirus on September 4, due to the condition of his lungs, he was previously still on the ventilator and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
The hospital assistant director Dr. Anuradha Baskaran released a statement saying, “In a further setback this morning, despite maximum life support measures and the best efforts of the clinical team, his condition deteriorated further, and he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest. With profound grief, we regret to inform that he passed away…”
SP Balasubrahmanyam’s son SP Charan extended his gratitude saying, “I thank doctors and nurses who took care of him. He is everyone’s property. My dad will be alive until you are there.” The late singer is survived by his wife Savithri and daughter Pallavi as well, TOI reports.
Various Bollywood celebrities like Akshay Kumar, A.R. Rahman, Kamal Hassan, etc. also remembered their interactions with the late singer and posted photographs as well in remembrance:-
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Balasubrahmanyam ji.Just a few months back I’d interacted with him during a virtual concert in this lockdown..he seemed hale,hearty & his usual legendary self…life is truly unpredictable. My thoughts & prayers with his family🙏🏻#RIPSPB pic.twitter.com/NytdM7YhBL
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 25, 2020
#ripspb …Devastated pic.twitter.com/EO55pd648u
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) September 25, 2020
Great human being and an incredible singer…lucky to have had him dub for me…give his voice to my performances in my first Telugu and Kannada film…SP Balasubrahmanyam will be missed truly…my heartfelt condolences & prayers to the family… pic.twitter.com/bdQWiuXlQD
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 25, 2020
SP Balasubrahmanyam Sir’s voice dominated my initial years of cinema. He, of course, had been a legend from long before. Sad 😞 to learn of his passing. Condolences to his family. #RIPSPB sir 🙏🏻
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) September 25, 2020
Deeply saddened by the loss of #SPBalasubramaniam sir.. thankyou for your artistry and your kind words.may the halls of heaven be filled with your resplendent voice. You were family and the loss is heartbreaking
— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) September 25, 2020
Rest in peace sir. You will forever be the voice of eternal love… My condolences and prayers to the family and fans… 🙏🏻#RIPSPB #SPBalasubramaniam
— Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) September 25, 2020
அன்னைய்யா S.P.B அவர்களின் குரலின் நிழல் பதிப்பாக பல காலம் வாழ்ந்தது எனக்கு வாய்த்த பேறு.
ஏழு தலைமுறைக்கும் அவர் புகழ் வாழும். pic.twitter.com/9P4FGJSL4T
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) September 25, 2020
Heartbroken to hear about #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir… you will forever live on in your undisputed legacy of music! condolence to the family #RIP
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) September 25, 2020
The late singer’s frequent collaborators like Rajnikanth and other celebrities down south, including Mahesh Babu, Dhanush, and many more took to social media to express their feelings and prayers:-
#RIP Balu sir … you have been my voice for many years … your voice and your memories will live with me forever … I will truly miss you … pic.twitter.com/oeHgH6F6i4
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) September 25, 2020
Rip SPB sir 💔💔the voice which will echo in everyone’s house forever, a family member in every household. Ur voice and U will continue to live with us for generations to come. My condolences to his family and dear ones. Thank you sir for everything sir. you will be dearly missed
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) September 25, 2020
Extremely sad to hear the news of SP Balasubramaniam Garu’s passing. We have lost a legend today. I’ve had the privilege to work with him in some of my best movies like Prema and Pavitra Bandham. Your legacy will live on Sir!
My heartfelt condolences to the family. RIP🙏 #RIPSPB pic.twitter.com/NjjcdSg2l1— Venkatesh Daggubati (@VenkyMama) September 25, 2020
Completely heartbroken.. shattered. In tears.. Sir You cannot leave us like this. Why?? Just why?? #SPBalasubrahmaniam #RIP 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) September 25, 2020
Heartbroken💔💔💔 #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir…thank you for all the wonderful songs you sang and made us love you even more💔 you will forever live on💔😭 #RIP
— Priyamani Raj (@priyamani6) September 25, 2020
Heartbroken .. you will be missed sir .. thank you for all the music and memories #SPBalasubrahmanyam #RIPSPB
— Arya (@arya_offl) September 25, 2020
Unable to process the fact that #SPBalasubramaniam garu is no more. Nothing will ever come close to that soulful voice of his. Rest in peace sir. Your legacy will live on. Heartfelt condolences and strength to the family 🙏
— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) September 25, 2020
Sad and a heartbreaking day #SPBalasubrahmanyam . Lived his life beautifully, contributing to society his passion and music. His voice will live on forever. May he rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) September 25, 2020
You will live forever in our hearts through your euphonious voice sir 🙏🏼 Rest in peace #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir
— Jayam Ravi (@actor_jayamravi) September 25, 2020
The world has never seen anyone like you and will never see. Rip legendary singer #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir. You will live in our hearts forever. #RIPSPB pic.twitter.com/W47el0zARI
— Harish Kalyan (@iamharishkalyan) September 25, 2020
I am severely pained by the sad demise of renowned singer Shri. SP Balasubrahmanyam. Reaching the pinnacle of music in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi is an unassailable achievement. This is a great loss to our nation, especially to the field of music.
— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) September 25, 2020
Indian Music has lost its favourite son. Devastated! In a Legendary career spanning over five decades,Padma Bhushan S.P Balasubrahmanyam Garu has breathed life into over 40,000 songs. As long as music exists in this universe, you will live on sir 🙏🏻
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) September 25, 2020
#RIPSPB 1:04pm
— venkat prabhu (@vp_offl) September 25, 2020
His voice will live on forever in our hearts, and we hope his soul rests in peace.