Shraddhanjali- a  tribute.

SP Balasubramanian is no more. SPB was how he was called by fans. The city of Madras aka Chennai is synonymous with this singing legend. His mellifluous voice is an emotion. His voice is part of my school and college times. His songs coloured our crushes,infatuations, first love, friendship and break ups.

The song Anjali anjali is so poignant that I still break into tears. It was the song that my brother used to sing when he was at his romantic best! It was a dead give away! His songs embraced my difficult years. It is interesting to note that everyday, for the past so many decades one would hear SPB songs somewhere in the city. 

For a man who has sung more than 40,000 songs, recorded 20 songs in a day, acted, dubbed, being a flautist SPB was so grounded. He literally walked the talk. He respected life; respected others. He was so humble never failing to appreciate talent. He remained grateful to his past, to his mentors, to the people whom he worked with and the superstars he sang for. How beautifully he adapted to various genre and platform in spite of not being a trained singer! Always courteous and smiling SPB was and is a rare gem. Glamour, paparazzi and showbiz did not waver him. 

Ironically the lungs that helped him sing a song in one breath collapsed today. SPB the emotion will always be with us.