SPB: The voice that lives on

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, more commonly and lovingly known as SP Balasubrahmanyam, is not just a singer or an actor, he’s a man that touched millions of lives through his voice and through his talent – a man that tapped into the best for so many when there was nothing else. He was born in Nellore on June 4th, 1946, which marks his 75th birthday today.

He holds the Guinness Record for recording the most number of songs by any singer – more than 40,000 songs. He also created a record by recording 21 songs within 12 hours, a feat that no one before him, and none ever since has been able to achieve. He sang in multiple Indian languages, and is the recipient of six National Awards, in four languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Kannada, and has received various other state honours. He is also the recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India.

SPB never restricted himself to just singing, and was also an acclaimed actor, a popular dubbing artist, and a music director as well. He was also the judge of Paduta Teeyaga, a show that recognised hundreds of aspiring singers, and the main attraction to the show was SPB himself. Unfortunately, the country lost out on a legend and an incredible human being in September last year, to Coronavirus, with which the singer suffered for nearly a month. SPB will thoroughly be missed, but he will continue to stay in our lives forever, touching everyone, every day, and continuing to live on.

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