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Biography
Infobox musical artist| name = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam| image = SP ballu.jpg| image_size =| caption =| birth_name = Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam| birth_date = Birth date and age|1946|06|04|df=y| birth_place = Konetammapeta,Nagari Mandal, Andhra Pradesh , India | origin = Andhra Pradesh , India| residence = Chennai , Tamil Nadu , India| genre = Playback singer|Playback singing | occupation = Singer , actor , music director , film producer | awards = Padma Bhushan , Padmashri , Honorary Doctorate | years_active = 1965–present|website = http://www.spbindia.com/ Official website| background = solo_singer Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam (Audio|balu.ogg|pronunciationlang-te|??????? ????????????? ???????????????; born 4 June 1946) is a multilingual India n playback singer , actor , music director , voice actor and a film producer . He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas . He holds a record to have won the Nandi Awards twenty five times from Andhra Pradesh state government. He has sung over 40,000 songscite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/08/08/stories/2008080850380200.htm |title=Friday Review Hyderabad / Events : The stars shimmered bright |publisher=The Hindu |date=2008-08-08 |accessdate=2011-05-01 in 15 India n languages with a career spanning over 4 decades.cite web|url= http://www.sify.com/movies/spb-to-be-honoured-news-telugu-kkfsm1ehhja.html |title=SPB to be honoured |publisher=Sify.com |date=2009-03-24 |accessdate=2011-05-01 Starting his career in 1966, he went on to become one of the leading playback singers of his time in India. He is the only playback singer in India to have won National Film Awards across four languages. He has also won a Filmfare Award , three Filmfare Awards South and numerous state awards from Government of Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu and Government of Karnataka|Karnataka . He holds the record of having recorded the most number of songs for any male playback singer. He is a recipient of the civilian awards such as Padmashri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India .cite web|author=January 26, 2011 DC Correspondent New Delhi |url= http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/spb-wins-padma-bhushan-no-bharat-ratna-year-615 |title=SPB wins Padma Bhushan, no Bharat Ratna this year |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2011-01-26 |accessdate=2011-05-02
Early life and background
Balasubrahmanyam was born to S. P. Sambamurthy in Konetammapeta of Madras Presidency , present day Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh in a Brahmin Family.cite news|author= C. Narayana Rao |title= Rice-rich but no major industry |url= http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/13/stories/2004031304990400.htm |work= The Hindu |date= March 13, 2008|accessdate=2009 Balasubrahmanyam's father was a Harikatha artist who had also acted in plays.cite web|author=Suganthy Krishnamachari |url= http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article595994.ece |title=Arts / Music : Motivating, musically |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-08-26 |accessdate=2011-05-02 He has two brothers and five sisters. He is the elder brother of singer S.P. Sailaja .cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/05/stories/2005120501970200.htm |title=Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : S.P.Balasubramaniam shares memories with music buffs |publisher=The Hindu |date=2005-12-05 |accessdate=2011-05-02 He is married to Savitri and has two children, Pallavicite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/09/19/stories/2003091901160200.htm |title=Unnai Charan Adainthaen |publisher=The Hindu |date=2003-09-19 |accessdate=2011-05-02 and S. P. B. Charan who is a playback singer and film producer as well.cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/01/13/stories/2004011300950200.htm |title=The cup of joy called friendship |publisher=The Hindu |date=2004-01-13 |accessdate=2011-05-02cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/11/26/stories/2009112651250400.htm |title=Metro Plus Madurai / Events : A medley of sorts |publisher=The Hindu |date=2009-11-26 |accessdate=2011-06-12
Balasubrahmanyam developed an interest towards music at an early age, studied notations and learned to play instruments such as the harmonium and flute on his own while listening to his father. His father wanted him to become an engineer, which brought him to Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh|Anantapur , where he enrolled for the Engineering course at JNTU College of Engineering Anantapur . Later he discontinued the course due to typhoid, and then joined as an Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, Chennai . Meanwhile, he also pursued his hobby and won awards at many singing competitions. In 1964, he won the first prize in a music competition for amateur singers organised by the Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organisation, and earned his first opportunity from music director S. P. Kodandapani .
After dropping out of engineering, Balasubrahmayam used to regularly visit music composers seeking for opportunities to sing. The first song that he sang for an audition was, "Nilave Ennidam Nerungadhe", a melody rendered by veteran playback singer P. B. Srinivas . It was P. B. Srinivas who used to write and give him some multi-lingual verses in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, English and Urdu.cite web|url= http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article786498.ece |title=Arts / Music : An unsung genius |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-09-23 |accessdate=2011-06-12
Playback singing Career
Balasubrahmanyam has sung more than 50,000 songs in more than 15 different Indian language s, including Telugu language|Telugu , Tamil language|Tamil , Kannada language|Kannada , Hindi language|Hindi , Malayalam language|Malayalam , Marathi language|Marathi , English language|English , Bengali language|Bengali , Oriya language|Oriya , Punjabi language|Punjabi , Tulu language|Tulu , Sanskrit language|Sanskrit , Assamese language|Assamese , Konkani language|Konkani , Badaga language|Badaga and Gondi language|Gondi .cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/08/08/stories/2008080850380200.htm |title=Friday Review Hyderabad / Events : The stars shimmered bright |publisher=The Hindu |date=2008-08-08 |accessdate=2011-06-12cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/05/03/stories/2006050300010500.htm |title=Metro Plus Chennai / Music : Medley of hits |publisher=The Hindu |date=2006-05-03 |accessdate=2011-06-12 He holds the record of having sung the most number of songs for any male playback singer in the world.cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/02/03/stories/2006020301430200.htm |title=Entertainment Hyderabad / Events : In honour of a legend |publisher=The Hindu |date=2006-02-03 |accessdate=2011-05-02
Early career: 1960s
Before becoming a full-fledged cinema singer, Balu was the leader of a light music troupe composed of Anirutta (on the harmonium), Ilaiyaraaja (on guitar and later on harmonium), Baskar (on percussion), and Gangai Amaran (on guitar). Dinathanthi , Nellai Edition, 11 August 2006, p. 11. Balasubrahmanyam made his debut as a playback singer on 15 December 1966 with Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna ,cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081505050400.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Raja-Lakshmi award for S.P. Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=The Hindu |date=2006-08-15 |accessdate=2011-06-12 a Telugu cinema|Telugu film scored by his mentor, S. P. Kodandapani .cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/14/stories/2011041452160500.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Telugu will thrive forever, says Balu |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-04-14 |accessdate=2011-05-02 He was selected as the best singer in a singing competition which was judged by S. P. Kodandapani and the legendary singer Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala .cite web|url= http://www.artistopia.com/s-p-balasubrahmanyam |title=SP Balasubrahmanyam |publisher=Artistopia.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01cite web|url= http://www.networkbase.info/pageS._P._Balasubramanyam.html |title=S. P. Balasubramanyam – Photos and All Basic Informations |publisher=Networkbase.info |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01 Balasubrahmanyam was selected as the best singer, subsequent to which Kodandapani played a major role in moulding his career.cite web|url= http://www.tollywoodsingers.com/spkodandapani.htm |title=S.P.Kodandapani |publisher=Tollywood singers |date= |accessdate=2011-05-01 He recorded his first non-Telugu song in the Kannada movie Nakkare Ade Swarga for the song "Kanasido Nanasido" with P. Susheela in 1967.
Later he entered Tamil films and recorded his first Tamil song in the 1969 film Shanthi Nilaiyam , that starred Gemini Ganesan . From then on, he became the most sought-after singer in the Telugu cinema|Telugu and Tamil cinema|Tamil film industries. His song "Aayiram Nilavae Vaa" for M. G. Ramachandran|M.G.R in the Tamil film Aadimai Penn became very popular and he etched himself a niche for him in Tamil films. From there was no looking back for him. He was introduced to Malayalam film industry by R. K. Shekhar , father of A. R. Rahman in the film Yogamullava . Subsequently, he became popular in 1969 with the song "Ee Kadalum Marukadalum" from the film Kadalppalam in Malayalam.cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/07/12/stories/2010071250650400.htm |title=Metro Plus Kochi / Columns : KADALPAALAM 1969 |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-07-12 |accessdate=2011-06-12 He also sung for the great N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao for so many hits songs.
Prominence in South: 1970s
He received his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1980 for the Telugu language|Telugu film Shankarabharanam , a film directed by K. Vishwanath . In 1976, he recorded up to 23 songs, including 15 duets with P. Susheela in a single day. For Kannada composer Upendra Kumar , Balasubrahmanyam recorded 16 songs in just 6 hours. Again for Ram Laxman , he recorded six songs in 4 hours in Mumbai . Between three recording theatres in Mumbai, he sang 17 songs in a day for Anand-Milind .cite web|author=T. Krithika Reddy |url= http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article77605.ece |title=Life & Style / Metroplus : Swinging sixties |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-01-08 |accessdate=2011-05-02
He is the first recipient of the "Ghantasala National Award" named after the famous and legendary singer Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao , and whom Balasubrahmanyam admires a lot. He has often referred to himself as "Ekalavya Sishya" (untutored disciple) of Ghantasalacite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/15/stories/2011041554220500.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Ghantasala national award presented to Balu |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-04-15 |accessdate=2011-06-12
Bollywood entry: 1980s
Balasubrahmanyam's first break in Hindi films was Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981), for which he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer . He was playback singer for Bollywood actor Salman Khan in most of his movies from 1989 to 1995.cite web|url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/218530.aspx |title=HindustanTimes-Print |publisher=Hindustantimes.com |date=2007-04-26 |accessdate=2011-06-12cite web|url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/364116.aspx |title=HindustanTimes-Print |publisher=Hindustantimes.com |date=2009-01-07 |accessdate=2011-06-12
1990s
In the 1990s he worked with composers like Vidyasagar , M. M. Keeravani , S. A. Rajkumar but his association with A. R. Rahman turned out be a major success.
The song "Umandu Ghumandu" from the Kannada cinema|Kannada film Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi (1995) was based on Hindustani classical music , for which he received his 4th National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Association with composers
;Collaboration with M. S. Viswanathan M. S. Viswanathan used S.P.B's voice in the 1970s various Tamil movies. Under his composition S.P.B got opportunities to sing for senior actors like M. G. Ramachandran , Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan during this period. SPB recorder numerous duet numbers with P. Susheela , Vani Jayaram and L. R. Eswari .
;Collaboration with K. V. Mahadevan Balasubrahmanyam recorded many songs with K. V. Mahadevan throughout the 1970s, mostly in Telugu. The duo worked in a film called Shankarabharanam in 1979 which was based on carnatic music . He got his first National Film Award through this film.
;Collaboration with Ilaiyaraaja Balasubrahmanyam's association with Ilaiyaraaja began in the late 1970s when the latter made his cinematic debut. Balasubrahmanyam began to record more songs in Tamil especially for Ilaiyaraaja. The Ilaiyaraaja-S.P.B-S. Janaki trio was considered to be highly successful in the Tamil film industry from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. The trio went on to work in Telugu films based on classical music like Saagara Sangamam (1983), for which both Ilaiayaraaja and S.P.B won National Film Awards , Swathi Muthyam (1986) and Rudraveena (film)|Rudraveena (1988) which again fetched National Awards for Ilaiyaraaja and S.P.B cite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/03/06/stories/2010030652600300.htm |title=Metro Plus Visakhapatnam / Music : Balu live and lively |publisher=The Hindu |date=2010-03-06 |accessdate=2011-05-02
;Collaboration with Hamsalekha Balasubramanyam's association with Hamsalekha began after the latter's successful venture premalokha in Kannada. Balasubramanyam sung most number of songs for Hamsalekha in Kannada. He also got National Award for the song 'Umandu Gumundu' of the movie Ganayogi Pachakshari Gavayi composed by Hamsalekha.
;Association with A. R. Rahman Balasubrahmanyam recorded two songs for A. R. Rahman in his debut film Roja . He had a long time association with Rahman right from Roja , the latter's debut film. Other popular songs include "July Maadham" from Pudhiya Mugam , which also marked the debut of singer Anupama (singer)|Anupama , "Mannoothu Manthayilae" from Kizhakku Cheemayile which was a folk number and he almost sang all songs in the musical love story Duet (film)|Duet and "Thanga Thaamarai" from Minsara Kanavu which fetched his sixth and latest of his National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer till date.
Non singing career
Actor
As an actor he played memorable roles in films like Pakkinti Ammayi , Parvathaalu Paanakalu , Pelli Varahandi , Kalyanathasava , Malle Pandiri , Raja Hamsa , Minsara Kanavu , Manathil Uruthi Vendum , Thiruda Thiruda , Keladi Kanmani , Sigaram , Maya , Avvai Shanmugi , Ratchagan , Nandhini , Kadhalan , Prema Maha Yedabidargi , Maya Bazaar . He has performed character roles in more than 45 films including Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. He received Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Telugu movie Pavithra Bandham (1996) from the Government of Andhra Pradesh .
Music Composer
He has composed music for around 40 films and gave memorable albums like Seethamma Pelli , Bharyamani , Sandarbha , Bangaru Chilaka , Mayuri , Ramanna Shyamanna , Ksherasaagara , Devaralle Dane , Belliyappa Bangarappa beside few films like Muddina Maava , Sigaram , Unnai Charanadaithaen in Tamil and Kannada. He also owns a production company called Kodandapani Film Circuits (now Captain cine creations) and produces film under this banner. Films like Subha Sankalpam , Bhamane Satya Bhamane were produced by him.
Television career
He started of with a Tamil serial with actress Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi called En Jannal Vandha directed by K. Balachander . Now he hosts many music shows in Telugu television including Paadutha Theeyaga on E-TV , Paadalani Undi on MAA TV , a Kannada show called Ede Thumbi Haaduvenu on E-TV Kannada, and the Tamil shows Ennodu Paattu Paadungal on JAYA-TVcite web|url= http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/11/14/stories/2003111401310800.htm |title=Enjoy a musical sojourn: An evening with SPB |publisher=The Hindu |date=2003-11-14 |accessdate=2011-05-02 and Vaanampaadi on Kaliagnar TV. He also anchors a music show called Sunada Vinodini on TTD Channel.
Voice actor
Balasubrahmanyam accidentally became a dubbing artist with Kamal Hassan 's Movie Manmadha Leela ( dubbed version of Manmadha Leelai ).cite web|author=sales@andhravilas.net |url= http://andhravilas.com/movienews.asp? id=90961& curPage=18 |title=Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News , Bollywood , Songs : |publisher=Andhravilas.com |date=2009-03-26 |accessdate=2011-05-02 He has also provided voice-over s for various artists, including Kamal Haasan , Rajinikanth , Salman Khan , K. Bhagyaraj , Mohan (actor)|Mohan , Anil Kapoor , Girish Karnad , Gemini Ganesan , Arjun Sarja , Nagesh , Karthik Muthuraman|Karthik and Raghuvaran in various languages. He was assigned as the default dubbing artist for Kamal Hassan in Telugu dubbed versions of Tamil films and vice versa. For the Telugu version of Dasavathaaram he gave voice to 7 characters (including the female character) out of 10 characters played by Kamal Hassan . http://andhravilas.com/movienews.asp? id=90961& curPage=18 Chit chat with S. P. Balasubramaniam – Andhravilas.com -Telugu Cinema, Telugu Movies, India News & World News , Bollywood , Songs :. Andhravilas.com (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2012-01-07. He was awarded Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist|Best Dubbing Artist for the films Annamayya (film)|Annamayya and Sri Sai Mahima .
Humanitarian work
He is the Chairman of Kodandapani Audio Labs , Chennai. He also owns a charitable trust named S. P. Sambamurthy Foundation, named after his father, an organization to help the poor and needy.
Awards and honors
Main|List of awards and honors conferred on S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Filmography
As actor
Year
Movie name
Language
Director
Producer
Role
1969
1971
Muhammad bin Tuglaq
1980
1982
Malle Pandiri
1983
Tirugu Bhana
1987
1988
Vivaha Bhojanambu
1990
Palai Vanna Ragangal
Sigaram
Thalai Vaasal
1992
Thyagu
Guna
Parvathalu Paanakalu
1993
Muddina Maava
1994
Kadhalan / Premikudu/ Humse Hai Muqabla
1995
1996
Kadhal Desam / Prema Desam
Minsara Kanavu / Merupu Kalalu
Myna
Nandini
Pavithra Bandham
Avvai Shanmughi / Bhamane Satyabhamane
1997
Pellivaramandi
Prena
Ullaasam
Ratchagan / Rakshakudu
w/ o Vara Prasad
1998
Paattu Paadavaa
Sandhrba
Uyala
Pelladi Chupistha
1999
Dheerga Sumangali Bhava
Mechanic Maavaiah
Paadutha Theeyaga
Pedda Manushulu
2000
Manasu Paddanu Kanni
Maya
Priyamaanavale
2001
2002
Padharella Ammayi
April Maadhathil
2003
Fools
Maha Yedabidangi
2004
2006
Roommates
2007
Astram
Kallu
Kalyanothasava
Malle Pandiri
Mangalyam Tanthu Naanena
2010
2011
Television career
Name
Language
Notes
Nadhi Enge Pogiradhu
Jannal
Vaanam Paadi
Paadutha Theeyaga
Paadalani Undhi
Endaro Mahanubhavulu
Ennodu Pattu Paadungal
Edhe Thumbi Haaduvenu
As music composer
Year
Movie name
Language
Director
Producer/ banner
1977
Kanya Kumari
Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
Sarigama Arts
1978
Sandarbha
Kannada
1979
Captain Krishna
Telugu
K. S. R. Das
Ra Ra Krishnayya
Telugu
Thoorpu Velle Railu
Telugu
Bapu
1980
Hum Paanch (Background Score)
Hindi
Bapu
S.K. Films
1981
Ohamma Katha
Telugu
Vasanta Sen
Sangeeta
Telugu
Thaiyyalkaaran
Tamil
Kalaipuli International
1983
Thudikkum Karangal
Tamil
Sridhar
K. R. Gangadharan
Uranta Sankranti
Telugu
Dasari Narayana Rao
1984
Bharyamani
Telugu
Vijaya Bapineedu
Srinivasa Productions
Mantri Gaari Viyyankudu
Telugu
Seethamma Pelli
Telugu
Bapu
Muddu Art Movies
1985
Bangaru Chilaka
Telugu
Maheswari Movies
Bullet
Telugu
Devaralledane
Kannada
Chamundi Production
Dongallo Dora
Telugu
Jockey
Telugu
Muddu Art Movies
Kongumudi
Telugu
Vijaya Bapineedu
Raghavendra Cine Creations
Mayuri
Tamil
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
B.R. Creations in association with ushakiran movies
Mayuri
Telugu
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Usha Kiran Movies
Muddula Manavaralu
Telugu
Jandhyala
Muddu Art Movies
1986
Bete
Kannada
Vajragiri Films
Maghadeerudu
Telugu
Shyam Prasad Arts
Naach Mayuri
Hindi
Lakshmi Productions
Padamati Sandhya Ragam
Telugu
Jandhyala
Gummaluri Sastry, Meer Abdulla
Sowbhagyalakshmi
Kannada
Bhargava
Vasu Chitra
1987
Gouthami
Telugu
Radha Madhava Films
Lawyer Suhasini
Telugu
Vamsy
Jayakrishna Combines
Pratima
Telugu
Ramu
Telugu
Suresh Productions
1988
Chinnodu Peddodu
Telugu
Relangi Narasimha Rao
Sridevi Movies
Kallu
Telugu
M. V. Raghu
Mahashakthi Films
Neeku Naaku Pellanta
Telugu
Jandhyala
J.J. Movies
Oh Bharya Katha
Telugu
Mouli
Ushakiron Movies
Premayanam
Telugu
Ushakiron Movies
Ramanna Shyamanna
Kannada
B. Subbarao
Vasu Chitra
Vivaaha Bhojanambu
Telugu
Jandhyala
J.J. Movies
1990
Siddartha
Telugu
1991
Mahayagnam
Telugu
Sigaram
Tamil
Ananthu
Kavithalaya Productions
Jaithra Yaatra
Telugu
Sravanthi Movies
1992
Belliyappa Banagarappa
Kannada
Poorna Prajna
Madhu Bangarappa
Ksheera Saagara
Kannada
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
1993
Muddina Maava
Kannada
Om Sai Prakash
Vijaya Sridevi Combines
2003
Unnai Charanandhen
Tamil
Samuthirakani
Capital Cine Works
References
Reflist|35em
External links
IMDb name|id=0004416
National Film Award Best Male Playback SingerFilmfareAwardBestMaleSinger Persondata | NAME =Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION =SPB | DATE OF BIRTH =4 June 1946 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Konetammapeta , Madras Presidency , India | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Indian actors Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian Hindus Category:Indian male singers Category:Indian musicians Category:Kannada playback singers Category:Kollywood playback singers Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri Category:Telugu playback singers Category:People from Chennai Category:Tamil playback singers Category:Malayalam playback singers Category:Indian playback singers Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan Category:Telugu people Category:Telugu film score composers Category:National Film Award winners Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Category:Filmfare Awards South winners
