SP Balasubrahmanyam was one of the finest singers to have ever come out of South India and his songs in Tamil, Telugu will forever remain immortal.
For many of us growing up in the 80s and in the early 90s, our childhood was defined by SP Balasubrahmanyam or SPB as he was more popularly know. Especially, for the Tam-Brahm families, SPB’s voice would set the pace for the day. His powerful voice, his versatile demeanor would make him one of the very best in the industry. ‘Paadum Nila’ SPB sang 40,000 songs in a career spanning 54 years, meaning on an average close to 750 songs a year or over 60 songs a month. In the 80s and the 90s, his partnership with ‘Isaignani’ Illayaraja would transform the entire landscape of the Tamil film industry.
You wanted folk, you got it. You wanted classical, you had it. Melody, sadness, love, romance, fast tuned, slow melancholic tones. You name it and the first person that comes to mind is that SPB. It is difficult to single out some memorable compositions of SPB as there are far too many. His voice effortlessly captured varied human emotions and feelings.
However, here is an attempt in finding out some of the finest songs sung by SPB in the 80s and the 90ss which remain popular even today.
Enna Satham Indha nerum – Punnagai Mannan (1986)
Forget for one moment that you are watching a video. Imagine this song playing in the background. Just the sound. It translates, “What is this sound at this point in time? What is the sound at this time? Is it the sound of the river? Are the parrots kissing? Is the sound coming of that?” The beauty of SPB’s soft rendition in the backdrop of a tragic suicide attempt sets the tone of this 1986 blockbuster starring Kamal Hasan, Revathi and Radha. Kamal and Radha are enjoying their few seconds of life beautifully before they decide to commit suicide. In such a dark backdrop, this song is nothins short of a classic.
Shankara Naadasharirapa – Shankarabharanam 1980
The one constant criticism from many musical purists was that SPB could never sing a classical South Indian song. Well, if yu listen to Shankara Naadasharirapa from the Telugu classic Shankara in the 1980s, you can see the depth and range of SPB’s brilliance. This song destroyed the notion that SPB cannot sing classical. Watch it to believe.
Mannil Indha - Keladi Kanmani (1990)
Even before Shankar Mahadevan made the Album ‘Breathless’ a hit in the mid-90s, SPB had already pioneered this in the 1990 film Keladi Kanmani. Singing on the beach and giving assurances to Radhika, one of the heroines in the film. Radhika challenges him that he has to sing the verse without taking a breath. He takes up the challenge and what follows is an absolute classic for the ages.
Ithu oru Pon Maalai Pozhuthu – Nizhalgal (1980)
Can you imagine that in this song makes a concrete jungle look so beautiful? That was the power of SPB and Illayaraja. The song is of a graduate who is in search of a job as he wanders around the mean streets of Chennai. The twilight, the chirping of the birds, the beaches of Chennai, the lilting evening all give a sense of optimism at a time when there is plenty of negativity in society. The lyrics, the simple composition, summed up in the lines, “The sky for me is a tree of wisdom. Every single day it offers me new information.” Optimism in the times of negativity is best heard through this evergreen classic.
Rambam bam Aarambam - Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990)
You wanted a romantic fast paced beat that would sum up the swinging 90s in Tamil society? This song was it. Michael Madana Kama Rajan is the story of four quadruplets named Michael, Madan, Kameshwaran and Raju. In this song, Raju (Kamal Hassan) rescues Khushboo from a fire and a love story blooms. The song is also helped by the genius of Illayaraja who infuses his techno and fast paced music which makes it absolutely hummable.
Una nenachi paatu padichen – Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
You are a circus clown. You face heartbreak but you must continue living. Sadness was given brilliant words by SPB in this classic rendition from Apoorva Sagodharargal, which later became Apu Raja. Kamal has lost the love of his life and he is unable to express it. The expressions of this song are given a new dimension by the tone and brilliance of SPB. The versatility in this film from SPB is mind-boggling. The fast paced “Raja Kaiya Vachchaa “(another version is by Kamal), the rock style “Vaazhavaikum Kaathalukku Jey" show the variety of SPB.
Maanguiyile Punguyile – Karakattakkaran (1989)
SPB also gave you a folk classic from the interiors of Tamil Nadu. The classic film Karakattakkaran, directed by Gangai Amaran, has a total folk look to it. Maanguyile, which showed the job occupation of the Karakattakkarans or Temple dancers, clicked well because it connected well with the Tanil folk in the villages. It was because of this song that many people outside of Tamil Nadu know who are Karakattakkarans.
There are plenty of notable films but the volume of songs cannot fill up websites, pages or airtime. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed.
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