Prominent figures mourn SPB’s demise

PROMINENT names from Indian film industry such as veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar, music composer AR Rahman, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Ramaya Krishnan, paid tributes to legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam and remembered his contribution in the field of music.

The 74-year old veteran singer, popularly known as SPB, died on Friday after over two months long battle with coronavirus. The singer breathed his last at around 1.04 pm, his son and filmmaker S P Charan told reporters.

Balasubrahmanyam, who captivated millions of hearts by his supreme singing talent for over five decades, was admitted to the MGM Healthcare hospital in Chennai on August 5 after testing positiv for Covid-19.

Hailing Balasubrahmanyam as a brilliant singer and a kind human being, Mangeshkar reminiscenced working with him. ‘I’m very disturbed by the demise of SP Balasubrahmanyam. We have recorded many song together and did a lot shows. My condolences to his family,’ the veteran singer wrote. Rahman shared his photo with Balasubrahmanyam and simply posted, ‘#ripspb ...Devastated’

Balasubrahmanyam’s voice played a huge role in establishing Khan as a romantic hero in the 1990s with songs Mere rang main, Pehla pehla pyaar hai, Mausam ka jaddu, and Hum aapke hain koun among others.

Khan, who on Thursday wished the legendary singer a speedy recovery, said he was heartbroken by the news of his demise.

‘Heartbroken to hear about #SPBalasubrahmanyam sir... you will forever live on in your undisputed legacy of music! condolence to the family #RIP,’ he tweeted.

Kapoor remembered the musician as ‘great human being’ and ‘an incredible singer’ and said that he will be ‘missed truly’. ‘Lucky to have had him dub for me... Give his voice to my performances in my first Telugu and Kannada film... SP Balasubrahmanyam will be missed truly...my heartfelt condolences & prayers to the family...’ he added.