For many of us growing up in the 80s and in the early 90s, our childhood was defined by SP Balasubrahmanyam or SPB as he was more popularly know. Especially, for the Tam-Brahm families, SPB’s voice would set the pace for the day. His powerful voice, his versatile demeanor would make him one of the very best in the industry. ‘Paadum Nila’ SPB sang 40,000 songs in a career spanning 54 years, meaning on an average close to 750 songs a year or over 60 songs a month. In the 80s and the 90s, his partnership with ‘Isaignani’ Illayaraja would transform the entire landscape of the Tamil film industry.
You wanted folk, you got it. You wanted classical, you had it. Melody, sadness, love, romance, fast tuned, slow melancholic tones. You name it and the first person that comes to mind is that SPB. It is difficult to single out some memorable compositions of SPB as there…