SP Balasubrahmanyam Will Hold A Special Place In Hearts Of Those Who Grew Up In The 90s

Musician and playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away today at the age of 74 in Chennai. In August, the iconic singer had tested positive for COVID-19. On September 23, it was reported that he was in a critical condition. His son SP Charan informed the media today, "My dad breathed his last at 1:04 pm. Thank you everyone for your prayers. My dad will live long till his fans remember him." For those like me who grew up in the nineties Balasubrahmanyam, whose body of work went beyond Hindi songs, will remember him for his melodious voice, that enriched any song that he would sing.

SP Balasubrahmanyam was felicitated with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan in 2001 and 2o11 respectively. He won a national award for Best Male Playback singer six times, and he also held the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs.

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I must have been five or six, when I heard him sing Dekha hai pehli baar, Saajan ki aankhon me pyaar, a hit song from the film Saanjan, whose songs would play on paan shops in the colony, on radio, on cassettes in my house, and on television in beloved shows like Chitrahaar. In 1992, came Mani Ratnam's Roja, a film that gave the listeners of Hindi music a gem called AR Rahman. This album developed my taste in music, like other kids from my generation, and Balasubrahmanyam played a crucial role here, with songs like Roja janeman and Yeh haseen wadiyaan. 

Gradually, as I grew up, I tracked back his association with Hindi music to songs from films like Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Saagar and Maine Pyar Kiya in the 80s. You have to remember that this was an era where information and access to music was not at our fingertips. But now when I look back, it feels like I grew up with Balasubrahmanyam crooning melodious songs that would become chart-toppers, and thus a part of my cassette collection. Patthar Ke Phool, Hum Apke Hain Kaun, Kadhalan (Humse Hai Muqabala in Hindi), the cult classic comedy Andaz Apna Apna with its dubiously "old" sounding music, and Sapne. The sweetness and effortlessness with which he sang is something that I have grown to cherish as an adult.

SP Balasubrahmanyam sang songs in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, and the depth of his work can only be truly measured by those who followed his work across these languages as well. It is amusing how for many of us he is the voice of Salman Khan, who gave a sheen to his stardom in the early part of the star's career. His voice suited the actor so much, that back in the 90s, it felt odd to have another singer's giving playback for Khan.

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No wonder then, that Khan took to Twitter yesterday to thank the singer for every song he ever sang for him.

Bala Subramaniam sir . All the strength hope wishes from the bottom of my heart to a speedy recovery n thank u for every song u sang fr me n made special your dil dewana hero prem, Love u sir.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) September 24, 2020

The most recent song of Subrahmanyam that I have heard is from 2013 film Chennai Express, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. When I heard the title track I couldn't help but think how joyous and energetic his voice was, even in his 60s. Whenever an artist passes away, we often sit back to think about how they have impacted our lives on a personal level. That is the legacy they leave behind.

Image Credit: DNA

The views expressed are the author's own.