Tribute: 'Hum Bane Tum Bane Ek Duje Ke Liye!' Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam's most-popular Hindi songs

By Rashita Sahni

on September 25, 2020 03:18:17 PM

Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) needs no introduction when it comes to playback singing. In a career spanning over 50 years with over 40,000 songs across many Indian languages and numerous prestigious honours to his credit, Balasubrahmanyam was considered one of the very few legendary singers in India. Honoured with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards in 2001 and 2011 respectively, SPB won six National Film Awards for the Best male playback singer and several other state awards.

Unfortunately, the veteran singer breathed his last today at the age of 74. The celebrated singer was admitted to Chennai’s MGM Healthcare Hospital since August 5, after testing positive for COVID-19. The singer tested negative for the novel Coronavirus on September 8 but could not be taken off the ventilator because of the detoriating condition of his lungs. He suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest today. SPB is survived by wife Savitri, a son S.P. Charan - a movie producer and playback singer, and daughter Pallavi.

Born to S.P. Sambamurthy, a Harikatha artist and mother Sakunthalamma on June 4, 1946, SPB got interested in music at a young age. His younger sister P. Sailaja was also a movie playback singer. While pursuing his engineering course, he used to participate in singing competitions and won prizes. Later he started visiting music directors seeking an opportunity to become a movie playback singer. SPB recorded his first song composed by music director and his mentor S.P.Kodandapani for the 1967 Telugu film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna.

Although he has predominantly sung in Telugu and Tamil languages, he has several Hindi chartbusters to his credit. From Sach Mere Yaar Hai to Sun Beliya Shukriya Meherbani, the iconic singer was associated with several Hindi hit tracks. Songs like Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai, Pehli Baar Mile Hain, Bahut Pyaar Karte Hai, Aake Teri Baahon Mein, Hum Na Samjhe The, Roja Jaaneman and Yeh Haseen Vadiyan got him the much-needed recognition in the music industry. In fact, Roja Jaaneman and Yeh Haseen Vadiyan, have been originally sung by SPB in Tamil, which later got huge recognition in Hindi (dubbed) by Hariharan.

Remembering the legendary singer, we list out SPB's best Hindi songs that will always remind us of his soulful music. To his credit, it wouldn't be wrong to say, he was the first and probably the best suited playback voice to superstar Salman Khan aka Prem!