Veteran playback singer PB Srinivas, who rendered more than 3,000 songs in eight languages, is no more. He breathed his last at his Saidapet residence in Chennai on Sunday afternoon. He was 82 and is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Reportedly, he was unwell for the past few days. He was born in Kakinada on September 22, 1930, to Phanindra Swamy and Seshagiryamma. He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai past week and he was later discharged from the hospital. It is said that Srinivas collapsed after having bath on Sunday afternoon. His last rites will be performed in Chennai on Monday.
He rendered 3,000 songs in eight languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. His full name was Prathivadhi Bhayankara Srinivas. His melodious voice was most suitable for Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan.
In a way, he was known as the voice of Rajkumar till the Kannada matinee idol himself turned a singer. The famous song Naavaaduva Nudiye Kannada Nudi from Gandhadha Gudi is evergreen among the music lovers. The other melodies such as Olave Jeevana Sakshathkaara from film Sakshathkaara, Aadisi Nodu Beelisi Nodu Uruli Hogadhu from film Kasthoorinivasa, Nagu Naguthaa Nali Nali from film Bangaradha Manushya will remain among the favorite songs of music lovers. His contribution as playback singer for the success of films such as Babruvahana, Bhaktha Kanakadasa, Emme Thammanna and Vijayanagaradha Veeraputra cannot be ignored.
Some of his best songs include Yaar Yaar Avar Yaaro from Tamil film Pasamalar, Neeli Kannula Needala Lona, from Telugu film Gudigantalu, Januma Janumadha Anubandha from Kannada film Saakshaathkara and Yellu Hogalla from Kannada film Gandhadha Gudi. His last song was for Tamil film Aayirathil Oruvan released in 2010.
Serendipity
It is said that the delay in his return from Singapore had facilitated Dr Rajkumar to become a playback singer. He was supposed to sing songs for film Sampathige Savaal. Dr Rajkumar became popular by rendering the song Yaare Koogaadali for film Sampathige Savaal. It was said that PBS had asked the music director to retain the version rendered by Dr Rajkumar. He was the playback singer for Dr Rajkumar till the latter became a playback singer himself. He had the privilege of rendering around 200 songs for Dr Rajkumar.
He has sung songs with P Susheela, S Janaki, P Bhanumathi, K Jamuna Rani, L R Eswari. He had the opportunity to sing with Lata Mangeskar for Hindi film Main Bhi Ladki Hoon. He had rendered devotional songs too. Sharadha Bhujanga Sthothram, Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham, Mukunda Mala, Shri Mallikarjuna Sthothram and Puranadaradasa compositions are counted among the best.
He made debut as playback singer in Sandalwood with film Jaathakaphala and in Bollywood with film Sampat at the age of 22. Known for humility and simplicity, PBS had the habit of having many pens in his pocket. He used to write a lyric instantaneously on request and sing on the stage itself whenever he used to participate in functions. Recently, Bangalore Press Club had felicitated him by organising a music programme—PBS Rasasanje. Local playback singers sung a few selected songs rendered by PBS.
@dna
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