On the occasion of legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam's 80th birth anniversary, music composer Ilaiyaraaja shared an emotional video message, remembering not just an extraordinary artiste but also a cherished friend whose absence continues to leave a void in his life.
In the video shared on social media, Ilaiyaraaja said that while celebrations and tributes marking SPB's 80th birth anniversary are taking place everywhere, the singer's absence still weighs heavily on him. "SPB at 80 is already being written and spoken about. This is a milestone. But Balu's absence is still a vacuum in my heart," Ilaiyaraaja said.
Reflecting on SPB's unparalleled contribution to music, the composer said there has never been another voice quite like his. He noted that while many singers have tried to emulate SPB over the years, none have been able to truly recreate what made him special.
"There has been no voice equivalent to his, and even those who copy him don't do it well. It is a voice that cannot be copied because his involvement cannot be reproduced by anyone else," he said, adding that SPB's musical brilliance goes beyond what words can adequately describe.
Ilaiyaraaja also revealed that SPB sang the majority of his songs requiring a male voice not because of the singer's popularity but because of his extraordinary talent and ability to instantly understand a composer's vision. "No matter what emotion is required for the song, he will deliver it with focus and dedication. He always fulfilled my expectations," Ilaiyaraaja said.
The composer then turned emotional while speaking about their personal bond. "But beyond that, he was my best friend," he said. The duo's collaboration produced some of Tamil cinema's most iconic songs, including 'Kalyaana Maalai' from Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, 'Valaiyosai' from Sathya, 'Enna Saththam Indha Neram' from Punnagai Mannan, 'Thenmadurai Vaigai Nadhi' from Dharmathin Thalaivan, 'Idhu Oru Ponmalai Pozhudhu' from Nizhalgal, 'Nalam Vaazha' from Marupadiyum and 'Muthu Mani Malai' from Chinna Gounder.
Praising SPB's achievements, Ilaiyaraaja described his legacy as unmatched among playback singers. "Singing more than 50,000 songs is not an ordinary feat; it is a great achievement in the world of music. Not even one singer is able to come close to his legacy," he said.
SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away in September 2020 after health complications worsened following a Covid-19 infection. A recipient of six National Film Awards across four languages, he was posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2021.
