Palakkad turned into a nostalgic musical haven on March 31, 2026, as leading South Indian singers gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The tribute commenced at the VT Bhattathiripad Cultural Complex in Yakkara, where a 10-foot statue of the legendary singer, sculpted by Unni Kanayi, was unveiled by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani and SP Charan.
Reflecting on the tribute, Kamal Haasan said: “I am very touched about what is happening in the VT Bhattathiripad Cultural Complex, Palakkad. Thank you, Palakkad, and thank you, Yesu Etta. It shows that only great men can be great artists. The fact you're doing this is a testimony to how great you are. This is a fantastic moment; I appreciate it. Chetta, you're aware of how emotional I am about SPB. You also know how emotional I am towards your talent and your kindness to me. This is just another example of your kindness, Chetta. It is a monument in my mind for Yesu etta, also. Thank you on behalf of Annaya; I always called SPB garu 'annaya', and he called me 'tammudu'.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Rajinikanth shared: “SPB was a Gaana Gandharva. There's nobody in India who doesn't know him. He is someone who made everyone happy with his musical talent. He was a wonderful human being. To give an example for why he was wonderful, let me recall an incident. Once, I was returning from America to Chennai. I had a transit in Mumbai, following which SPB also boarded the same flight as I. Shankarabharanam had just been released then, and songs were going viral. Passengers on the flight asked him to sing songs from the film, and their requests kept coming. Throughout the journey, from 1.30 am in the morning, he kept singing till we landed in Chennai. He is such a virtuous man. His untimely demise was extremely saddening. In a time where we easily forget people, efforts to build a statue in his memory are truly appreciated.”
The evening’s celebrations later shifted to Fort Maidan, where thousands of fans gathered for Sangeetha Megham, a concert organised by the Singers Association of Malayalam Movies. The event featured a stellar lineup of artistes who paid homage to SPB not just through heartfelt speeches, but also through soulful musical performances.