Our Soul's Song - Celebrating SPB

All separations are difficult, especially, when the separation is permanent and unexpected - the passing away of SPB was one such separation. Till about a couple of months ago, he was giving public performances (which he should have avoided, in hindsight) so this passing away was a rude shock to many of his fans and probably that is why the reaction was also so strong. Unlike many stalwarts of his age, his voice never aged, other than the one transformation from the young voice of 1960 - 70s to the matured voice of late 70s onwards. Across the decades, he was singing with the same range, quality and beauty. He transcended multiple eras from MSV to Illayaraja, to Rehman and beyond; from MGR/Shivaji, to Kamal/Rajni, to Vijay/Ajith and beyond. He did not fade away and hence will always be remembered with that golden voice. Always! This live recording of the song -En kadhale, en kadhale..., was just a year ago, on Oct 2019, his vocal range, emotion and energy are as good as the original that was recorded 25 years back!

Separation of some public figures also feel very personal, SPB’s surely feels like that - a very personal loss (the others for me were Sujatha and Crazy Mohan much recently).  My rational side tells me it is not logical to feel this personal; when I have not interacted or met him even once; but my emotional side, which is connected to his body of work, tells me otherwise.

Talking about his body of work; he is credited with 40,000+ songs across 54 years -that is close to, 3 song recordings a day, without a break!!! He recorded 21 songs for Kannada composer Upendra Kumar  from 9 am to 9 pm on 8 February 1981 -  so, you can see that 40k+ is quite possible. His long innings started on December 15^th, 1966 with the Telugu movie ‘Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna’, and with this song Emi ee vintha moham. In addition to singing in 16 different languages, he has composed music for 65+ movies (His compositions for Sigaram were outstanding, each song a beauty), acted in 75 odd movies (he was a natural, a very relatable actor – “Thiruda Thiruda” and “Keladi Kanmani” are good examples) and a few TV serials. Hosted 1000+ episodes of a very popular music reality program (of great quality). A successful dubbing artist with over 100 movies to his credit, he dubbed for most of Kamal’s Tamil movies in Telugu and was Gandhi’s voice in Attenborough’s Gandhi (in Telugu). He has done BGMs (rerecording) for Lakshmikant Pyarelal’s movies. During his early years, he was running a successful orchestra, in which Illayaraja and his brothers used to perform before they entered the film industry. They used to tour across India and sing mostly Hindi songs! He became a very popular Youtuber too, documenting his long experience, and proving that he can cross technologies as easily as he has crossed generations. These are probably accomplishments for seven lifetimes. What makes this all even more astonishing is that he is not a trained singer (although it could be in his genes – his father, S. P. Sambamurthy was a musician, a Harikatha artist). Being untrained, he always nursed an interest to learn classical music and to perform a full katcheri (classical music concert), but he accomplished the equivalent of 100 katcheries with one Sankarabharanam.

My connection with SPB was, of course, through his songs. His songs were a part of my growing up years in Chennai, listening to the audio cassettes and AIR and Doordarshan. The video part came much later, for most of my early life, I would have seen only  his photo in a magazine or a newspaper, with some rare visuals from the Doordarshan, on some special day, otherwise, it is just the voice that identified SPB. Whichever hero you adored, the voice would invariably be SPB’s. Not only could you identify the actor, but you could visualize the acting too, for SPB was acting with his voice for you, probably made the actor’s job easy (or difficult!), half of the actor’s job is already done by SPB with his voice emoting; a joyous cry, a cough, a laugh, a chuckle, even an emotional choke, all done so naturally and easily, like no other singer. He had a song for every occasion of our times, every emotion of our lives.

With multiple channels and internet, we started to see him often and got to know him more, unlike some stars, the more we saw SPB, the closer he became to us and the more we liked him. He was always looking happy and gregarious, had a kind word or appreciation for people around him; especially for his orchestra and to younger singers. He had a special connection with everyone especially with kids. He would put everyone at ease with his great humility.

Talking about his humility, I am reminded of my close friend’s experience with SPB; this friend was working for a leading MNC and they had organized a music evening, where SPB and other singers were to perform at Madurai. SPB and another leading singer of that time came together by flight from Chennai. My friend went to receive them in a non-AC Ambassador car (booked by a cost conscious dealer!) , The other singer’s local friends had come in an AC Contessa to pick him and he wanted SPB to join him in the AC car. SPB, refused that offer and said, “This Gentleman has come to receive us and it won’t be nice if at least one of us don’t go with him, you go ahead with your friends and I will go with him”. And he went in the non-AC car in the sweltering Madurai heat with my friend to the hotel and thanked my friend for the pickup! Till date (after 25 years), my friend regrets going to pick up the great artist in the non-AC car but we would not have got this personal, first hand insight into SPB’s humility if he hadn’t done that.

To quote Louis Armstrong, “Musicians don’t retire, they stop when there’s no more music in them”. SPB never stopped, because the music in him never stopped. Thanks to technology his voice will be immortal and he will be immortal. SPB will always be remembered, loved, missed and celebrated.

Here are some favorites that are on my SPB playlist (it was a difficult task to choose just a few, but I have tried to pick songs from across different decades, different music directors, and different languages. I have deliberately selected more songs from his early stages of career that are hidden gems.

1. Song: En Kathali Yaar Sollava, Movie: Thangaththilae Vairam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmvOZg0usCQ -an early (1975) duet with the other legend – Yesudas.

2. Song: Theertha Karai Orathile, Movie: Theerththakaraithanilae -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvI2XJfJys  -a pathos heavy song, beautiful composition by Illayaraja, and emoted perfectly by SPB.

3. Song: Theertha Karaiyinile, Movie: Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w7H89NUpI0 - Bharathiyar’s song, - very little instrumentation (just a guitar) – highlighting SPB’s pure vocals.

4. Song: Panivizhum Malar Vanam, Movie: Ninaivellam Nithya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ0yLriiRvA – every song in this movie is a classic – esp., this cracker of a song.

5. Song: aayarpadi maaligaiyil, Album: KrishnaGanam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d85_xtL17Uc – this is a lullaby from the non-film album composed by M.S. Viswanathan, You can imagine the peace and quiet of Brindavan in the voice of SPB and words of Poet Kannadasan, as Krishna sleeps.

6. Song: Idhu Kuzhandhai Paadum Thalattu, Movie: Oru Thalai Ragam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrYkIrsapwc – This song from the first TR movie, that became a rage when the movie was released in May 1980

7. Song: Pennala Pennala Oothapoo, Movie: Uzhavan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUk_mqRVYRE – An awesome early (1993) melody by ARR

8. Song: Kadhalin Deepam Ondru, Movie: Thambiku Entha Ooru -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C78pEVf9oY Probably the best love song ever!

9. Song: Nilave enidam Song originally sung by PBS this is in SPB Voice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wc0y608ejo  -  SPB used to sing this song to Music Directors when he was scouting for opportunities.

10, Song: Poguthey poguthey, Movie - kadalora kavithaikal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DqaTSn6Pc - this was my first audio cassette purchase, a major musical hit. You could feel the pain of separation in SPB’s voice.

11. Song: Malare Mounama, Movie: Karna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRjKULlhot4 – This is Vidyasagar’s best composition, sung with absolute style and beauty by Janaki and SPB.

12. Song: Enakkoru Kaadhali, Movie: Muthana Muthallavo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwvbwBP7vJ8 – A duet with the other musical giant MSV, from the early times, you can make out the style and control of SPB’s voice even then .

13. Song: Raagangal Pathinaaru, Movie: Thillu Mullu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCZnv0tBB8 – Rajini’s initial foray into comedy… in this successful remake of Gol Mal

14. Song: Idho Idho En Pallavi, Movie:Sigaram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhi3reBW1VM – Another gem from Sigaram, his own music composition.

15. Song: Valaiyosai kala Kalavena, Movie: Sathya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoN-IVl2938 – Great duet with Lata, the song’s lyrics were kept simple to enable Lata sing in Tamil, nevertheless created an amazing rhythm.

16. Song: Then sinthuthey vaanam, Movie: Ponnukku thanga manasu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwXSegOTutI music director GK Venkatesh’s beauty from this 1973 movie has the mesmerising, very young, SPB and Janaki duet

17. Song: Rojavai Thalattum Thendral, Movie: Ninaivellam Nithya:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx9A509SiQ – haunting melody by Illayaraja, that took the Tamil music world by storm when it was released. 

18. Song: Nathiyil Aadum, Movie: Kadhal Oviyam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOeEP54t8c  - This is a classic Illayaraja composition that starts with a hymn and seamlessly moves to a melody. You can almost feel a competition going on between SPB and Janaki. 

19. Song: Nilavu thungum neram, Movie: Kunguma Chimizh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68PTtQiJEU – Another hit by the Illayaraja, SPB and Janaki trio.

20. Song: Mandram Vandha, Movie: Mouna Ragam – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBgVqmsR5HI – SPB lifts this song right from the start an apt high pitch rendition for a song of great anguish.

21. Song: - Keladi Kanmani, Movie: Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uJk1QvD8SM – soulful melody from SPB and illayaraja combination.

22. Song: Mazhaiyum Neeye, Movie: Azhagan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ez1Y57fjKw – A gem of a song from Music Director Maragathamani. You can feel the joy of SPB’s singing in this song.

23. Song: Samsaaram Yenpathu Veenai, Movie - Mayangugiral Oru Maadhu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUccHkbaSx8  - Music director: Vijaya Bhaskar, Kannadasan’s immortal lyrics and a young (1975) SPB’s voice, makes this a special song.

24. Song: Unakkenna Mele Nindrai, Movie: Simla Special -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENhuYaRQ3ys  – An audience favourite in the live shows, a soulful rendition by SPB, the pain of a betrayed friendship

25. Song: Nanda En Nila, Movie: Nanda En Nila - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-mJlT2HQlw – Composed by Music:  V Dakshinamoorthy, this 1977 song is classical raga based and smoothly done by SPB.

26. Song: Ilamai Ennum Poonkatru, Movie: Pagalil Oru Iravu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gjmeNLDnWE -  An early Illayaraja wonder, SPB’s solo

27. Song: Idhayam Oru Koil, Movie: Idhaya Koil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io-cz_luyvk – Illayaraja’s lyrics (probably his first attempt penning a song) and music, SPB does complete justice in this early Mani Ratnam Movie (which is unlike any other Mani Ratnam’s movies)

28. Song: Ennada Pollatha Vazhkai, Movie: Thappu Thalangal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qES1KdnvXPM An absolute stylish singing by SPB for an equally stylish Rajni to the philosophical lyrics of Kannadasan and westernized tune by Vijaya Bhaskar.

29. Song: Naguva Nayana Madhura Mouna, Movie: Pallavi Anupallavi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dajcwrykmf8 – A classic from Mani Ratnam’s directorial debut, surprisingly in Kannada. The beauty of Bangalore in the 80’s captured in this song very well.

30. Song: Jotheyalli, Movie: Geetha:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1H8Vl3kTXA – Another evergreen Kannada beauty, probably the most loved non-Rajkumar Kannada song!
31. Song: Nee Gudu Chedirindi, Movie: Nayakudu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVHztTy_Z_k  - The Nayakan’s masterpiece sung originally in Tamil by Illayaraja and Kamal is rendred by SPB in Telugu, creating a wonderful third dimension.

32. Song: Ayigiri Nandini, Movie: Sapthapadi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOdYFK80q2U – a powerful delivery of the popular hymn from the Telugu movie Sapthapadi

33. Song: Broche varevaru ra, Movie: Sankarabharanam -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBCBtSJVtdY Any SPB list will be incomplete without the cult classic Shankarabharanam, but I go with this particular number rather than the popular Shankara song or the national award winning Omkara nadhaanu, this is a duet with Vani Jayaram. Dr. BalaMurali Krishna was initially approached for singing in this movie, he was undecided. After waiting for a while director K. Viswanath and music director KV Mahadevan approached SPB. He hesitated as he was not classically trained, but he practiced for 2 months and rendered this masterpiece of a movie, that went on to win multiple national awards, including one for SPB’s playback singing – Another trivia - Cinematography was by the amazing Balu Mahendra.

34. Song: Tere Mere Beech Mein, Movie: Ek Duuje Ke Liye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPaGMGHeR_Q – The Hindi could be Madarasi accented, but the perfect flow of emotions won him his second national award for this song.

35. Song: Shantamu leka, Movie: Thyagayya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJLQbNnBGv4 – Ending with this Thyagaraja Kriti from another classical Telugu Movie Thyagayya. Very apt for the times we live in.

SPB's National Award winning songs:

1979: “Omkaara Nadhaanu” from Sankarabharanam (Telugu)

1981: “Tere Mere Beech Mein” from Ek Duuje Ke Liye (Hindi)

1983:  “Vedam Anuvanuvuna” from Saagara Sangamam (Telugu)

1988: “Cheppaalani Undi” from Rudraveena (Telugu)

1995: “Umandu Ghumandu Ghana Gar Je Badara” from Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai (Kannada)

1996: “Thanga Thamarai” from Minsaara Kanavu (Tamil)