Legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away at a private hospital in Chennai where he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19. The veteran, 74, was hospitalised since August after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was recovering well, and had tested negative for COVID-19 in early September, but continued to be on the ventilator and the ECMO. However, his health took a sudden turn for worse and the doctors declared him to be in a critical condition yesterday (September 24).
Fondly addressed as SPB, the veteran made his singing debut with the Telugu film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna in 1966 and has since sung over 40,000 songs in as many as 16 languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. He has also composed music and acted in movies. Winner of six National Awards, his fans lovingly called him ‘Paadum Nila’ (Singing Moon).
He is survived by his wife and a daughter and a son. Our deepest condolences to the family, and prayers for the departed soul.