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S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

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S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Background information
Birth nameSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam
Born (1946-06-04) 4 June 1946 (age 78)
Konetammapeta,Nagari Mandal, Andhra Pradesh, India
OriginAndhra Pradesh, India
GenresPlayback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, music director, film producer
Years active1965–present
WebsiteOfficial website

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam(pronunciationⓘ Telugu: శ్రీపతి పండితారాధ్యుల బాలసుబ్రహ్మణ్యం; born 4 June 1946) is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas. He holds a record to have won the Nandi Awards twenty five times from Andhra Pradesh state government. He has sung over 40,000 songs[1] in 15 Indian languages with a career spanning over 4 decades.[2] Starting his career in 1966, he went on to become one of the leading playback singers of his time in India. 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 holds the record of having recorded the most number of songs for any male playback singer.[3] He is a recipient of the civilian awards such as Padmashri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India.[4]

Early life and background

Balasubrahmanyam was born to S. P. Sambamurthy in Konetammapeta of Madras Presidency, present day Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh in a Brahmin Family.[5] Balasubrahmanyam's father was a Harikatha artist who had also acted in plays.[6] He has two brothers and five sisters. He is the elder brother of singer S.P. Sailaja.[7] He is married to Savitri and has two children, Pallavi[8] and S. P. B. Charan who is a playback singer and film producer as well.[9][10]

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.[11]

Playback singing Career

Balasubrahmanyam has sung more than 50,000 songs in more than 15 different Indian languages, including Telugu,[12] Tamil,[12] Kannada,[12] Hindi,[12] Malayalam,[12] Marathi, English, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tulu, Sanskrit, Assamese, Konkani, Badaga and Gondi.[13][14] He holds the record of having sung the most number of songs for any male playback singer in the world.[3]

Early career: 1960s

Before becoming a full-fledged cinema singer, Balu 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).[15] Balasubrahmanyam made his debut as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna,[12] a Telugu film scored by his mentor, S. P. Kodandapani.[16] He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by S. P. Kodandapani and the legendary singer Ghantasala.[17][18] Balasubrahmanyam was selected as the best singer, subsequent to which Kodandapani played a major role in moulding his career.[19] He recorded his first non-Telugu song in the Kannada movie Nakkare Ade Swarga for the song "Kanasido Nanasido" with P. Susheela in 1967.

Later he entered Tamil films and recorded his first Tamil song in the 1969 film Shanthi Nilaiyam, that starred Gemini Ganesan. From then on, he became the most sought-after singer in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. His song "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for M.G.R in the Tamil film Aadimai Penn became very popular and he etched himself a niche for him in Tamil films. From there was no looking back for him. He was introduced to Malayalam film industry by R. K. Shekhar, father of A. R. Rahman in the film Yogamullava. Subsequently, he became popular in 1969 with the song "Ee Kadalum Marukadalum" from the film Kadalppalam in Malayalam.[20] He also sung for the great N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao for so many hits songs.

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.[21]

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[22]

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.[3] He was playback singer for Bollywood actor Salman Khan in most of his movies from 1989 to 1995.[23][24]

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.[25]

Association with composers

Collaboration with M. S. Viswanathan

M. S. Viswanathan used S.P.B's voice in the 1970s various Tamil movies. Under his composition S.P.B got opportunities to sing for senior actors like M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan during this period. SPB recorder numerous duet numbers with P. Susheela, Vani Jayaram and L. R. Eswari.

Collaboration with K. V. Mahadevan

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.

Collaboration with Ilaiyaraaja

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 [25]

Collaboration with Hamsalekha

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.

Association with A. R. Rahman

Balasubrahmanyam recorded two 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.

Non singing career

Actor

As an actor he played memorable roles in films like Pakkinti Ammayi, Parvathaalu Paanakalu, Pelli Varahandi, Kalyanathasava, Malle Pandiri, Raja Hamsa, Minsara Kanavu, Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Thiruda Thiruda, Keladi Kanmani, Sigaram, Maya, Avvai Shanmugi, Ratchagan, Nandhini, Kadhalan, Prema Maha Yedabidargi, Maya Bazaar. He has performed character roles in more than 45 films including Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. He received Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Telugu movie Pavithra Bandham (1996) from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Music Composer

He has composed music for around 40 films and gave memorable 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 in Tamil and Kannada. 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 started of with a Tamil serial with actress Lakshmi called En Jannal Vandha directed by K. Balachander. Now he hosts many music shows in Telugu television including Paadutha Theeyaga on E-TV, Paadalani Undi on MAA TV, a Kannada show called Ede Thumbi Haaduvenu on E-TV Kannada, and the Tamil shows Ennodu Paattu Paadungal on JAYA-TV[26] and Vaanampaadi on Kaliagnar TV.[26] He also anchors a music show called Sunada Vinodini on TTD Channel.

Voice actor

Balasubrahmanyam accidentally became a dubbing artist with Kamal Hassan's Movie Manmadha Leela ( dubbed version of Manmadha Leelai ).[27] 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.[28] He was awarded Best Dubbing Artist for the films Annamayya and Sri Sai Mahima.

Humanitarian work

He is the Chairman of Kodandapani Audio Labs, Chennai. He also owns a charitable trust named S. P. Sambamurthy Foundation, named after his father, an organization to help the poor and needy.

Awards and honors

Main article: List of awards and honors conferred on S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Filmography

As actor

Year Movie name Language Director Producer Role
1969 Pellante Noorella Panta Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah
1971 Mohammed Bin Tuglaq Tamil Cho Ramaswamy Guest role in a song
Muhammad bin Tuglaq Telugu 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
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
Vivaha Bhojanambu Telugu Jandhyala
1990 Keladi Kanmani/O Papa Lali Tamil/Telugu Vasanth A. R. Rangaraj (primary character)
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
Parvathalu Paanakalu Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah V. Vijay Kumar Varma Lead role friend of Parvathalu (Dasari Narayana Rao)
1993 Thiruda Thiruda/Donga Donga Tamil/Telugu Mani Ratnam S. Sriram Lakshmi Narayanan CBI
Muddina Maava Kannada Om Sai Prakash K. Prabhakar Ramayya
1994 Jolly Telugu Teacher
Kadhalan/Premikudu/ Humse Hai Muqabla Tamil/Telugu/Hindi Shankar K. T. Kunjumon As Brother of Prabhu Deva – Policeman
1995 Raja Hamsa Telugu As doctor, family friend
1996 Drohi Telugu
Kadhal Desam/Prema Desam Tamil/Telugu Kathir K. T. Kunjumon Divya's father
Minsara Kanavu/Merupu Kalalu Tamil/Telugu Rajeev Menon M. Balasubramaniam, M. Saravanan, M. S. Guhan Thangadurai
Myna Telugu
Nandini Tamil/Telugu Friend of Prakash Raj
Pavithra Bandham Telugu Muthyala Subbaiah Venkatesh`s Father
Avvai Shanmughi/Bhamane Satyabhamane Tamil/Telugu K. S. Ravikumar R. Ravindran, K. P. Hari As a doctor
1997 Devullu Telugu Kodi Ramakrishna Haribabu Chegondi, Rambabu Karatam Lord Vinayaka
Pellivaramandi Telugu K. Veeru V. Jayasri, A. Prakash
Prena Telugu
Ullaasam Tamil J. D. and Jerry Amitabh Bachchan As a bus driver – Ajith Kumar's father
Ratchagan/Rakshakudu Tamil/Telgu Praveen Gandhi K. T. Kunjumon, Francis Joseph LIC Padmanabhan ( Nagarjuna`s father)
w/o Vara Prasad 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 Chupistha Telugu
1999 Aaro Pranam Telugu K Veeru Father of hero (Vineeth)
Dheerga Sumangali Bhava Telugu S. V. Krishna Reddy
Mechanic Maavaiah Telugu
Paadutha Theeyaga Telugu Father of heroine
Pedda Manushulu Telugu
2000 Goppinti Alludu Telugu E V V Satyanarayana Nandamuri Rama Krishna Balakrishna's father
Manasu Paddanu Kanni Telugu
Maya Tamil
Priyamaanavale Tamil K. Selvabharathi C. Venkata Raju, G. Sivaraju Vishwanath
2001 Chirujallu Telugu Shriram Balaji G. V. G Raju
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
Mangalyam Tanthu Naanena Kannada Ravichandran's father
2010 Naanayam Tamil Shakthi S.Rajan S. P. B. Charan CEO Viswanath
2011 Shakti Telugu Meher Ramesh C. Ashwini Dutt Mahadevaraya's Father

Television career

Name Language Notes
Nadhi Enge Pogiradhu 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 Movie name 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
Seethamma 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
Jaithra Yaatra Telugu Sravanthi 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 Charanandhen Tamil Samuthirakani Capital Cine Works

References

  1. ^ "Friday Review Hyderabad / Events : The stars shimmered bright". The Hindu. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  2. ^ "SPB to be honoured". Sify.com. 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  3. ^ a b c "Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : In honour of a legend". The Hindu. 2006-02-03. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  4. ^ January 26, 2011 DC Correspondent New Delhi (2011-01-26). "SPB wins Padma Bhushan, no Bharat Ratna this year". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-05-02. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ C. Narayana Rao (March 13, 2008). "Rice-rich but no major industry". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Suganthy Krishnamachari (2010-08-26). "Arts / Music : Motivating, musically". The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  7. ^ "Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : S.P.Balasubramaniam shares memories with music buffs". The Hindu. 2005-12-05. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  8. ^ "Unnai Charan Adainthaen". The Hindu. 2003-09-19. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  9. ^ "The cup of joy called friendship". The Hindu. 2004-01-13. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  10. ^ "Metro Plus Madurai / Events : A medley of sorts". The Hindu. 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  11. ^ "Arts / Music : An unsung genius". The Hindu. 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Raja-Lakshmi award for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam". The Hindu. 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  13. ^ "Friday Review Hyderabad / Events : The stars shimmered bright". The Hindu. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  14. ^ "Metro Plus Chennai / Music : Medley of hits". The Hindu. 2006-05-03. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  15. ^ Dinathanthi, Nellai Edition, 11 August 2006, p. 11.
  16. ^ "Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Telugu will thrive forever, says Balu". The Hindu. 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  17. ^ "SP Balasubrahmanyam". Artistopia.com. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  18. ^ "S. P. Balasubramanyam – Photos and All Basic Informations". Networkbase.info. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  19. ^ "S.P.Kodandapani". Tollywood singers. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  20. ^ "Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : KADALPAALAM 1969". The Hindu. 2010-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  21. ^ T. Krithika Reddy (2010-01-08). "Life & Style / Metroplus : Swinging sixties". The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  22. ^ "Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Ghantasala national award presented to Balu". The Hindu. 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  23. ^ "HindustanTimes-Print". Hindustantimes.com. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  24. ^ "HindustanTimes-Print". Hindustantimes.com. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  25. ^ a b "Metro Plus Visakhapatnam / Music : Balu live and lively". The Hindu. 2010-03-06. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  26. ^ a b "Enjoy a musical sojourn: An evening with SPB". The Hindu. 2003-11-14. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  27. ^ sales@andhravilas.net (2009-03-26). "Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News , Bollywood , Songs :". Andhravilas.com. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  28. ^ Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News , Bollywood , Songs :. Andhravilas.com (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2012-01-07.

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