S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
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| S.P. Balasubrahmanyam S.P.B. |
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 4, 1946 |
| Origin |  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.
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[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
- ^ Dinathanthi, Nellai Edition, Page 11 dated Aug 11,2006
- ^ Welcome to S.P.Balasubrahmanyam (playback singer, producer, actor, music director) home page
[edit] External links
- http://www.spbala.page.tl
- http://www.spbindia.com/
- http://www.spbala.com/
- IMDB entry
- Hits of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- To listen and download SPB'S tamil songs in MP3'கீத நதி' எஸ்.பி.பாலசுப்பிரமணியம்
- http://myspb.blogspot.com/ எஸ்.பி.பி தமிழ் பாடல்கள்
- http://myyespeebee.blogspot.com/ Dr.SPB Kannada, Telugu Songs
- http://spbkural.blogspot.com/ Dr.SPB Thirukural Songs
- http://spbdevo.blogspot.com/ Dr.SPB Devotional Songs
- S.P.Balasubramaniam Profile
- For a complete list of Tamil Cinema Playback Singers
- This week specials by SPB
- Listen to SPB's songs
- List of SPB's Songs for Malayalam Movies
