An unstoppable voice, stopped by Corona – my thoughts on SP Balasubrahmanyam

End is inevitable, but when the cause of that end turns out to the Chinese Virus, it is treacherous. It is so inconsolable that a voice so captivating and youthful till the 74^th year was silenced by this dreaded virus. Only ‘if only’ is occupying my mind since I heard the sad news about the musical legend SPB. If only he had not contacted this virus, his musical journey would have continued. If only he had kept away from everyone right from the time corona was reported in the country, couldn’t he have continued to be with us? An unbelievable march of that voice, growing youthful with every passing day was cruelly shut off by this villain.   

Nothing could stop him right from the time MGR decided to bring him in. His was a big replacement for the-until -then reigning King, TMS. There was lot of misgivings at that time how his voice could suit MGR’s but wonder of wonders his voice was found agreeable to the simha garjanai of Shivaji Ganesan too. That was really a break-through in his career and since then his was the only voice found suitable for the next three generation of actors – from Kamal- Rajini, to Surya – Vijay et al until the current crop of new actors. I cannot recall anyone matching this feat uninterruptedly until the deadly corona put a spoke in his 75^th year.

Not everyone could get the kind of opportunities that he got but not everyone could have risen up to the opportunities as he did. His was a dedicated, committed and passionate work on his voice and on the songs he got, by which he had enthralled millions – something not possible for many with such dedication – unless designed by karmic hand shake. Such a strong Karmic backup cannot perhaps be stopped so easily unless by a sudden attack by an unknown virus - I am forced to reason out like this.

Music is a different genre in that being a vehicle to touch Brahman! And SPB was able to touch that is what I heard in one of the videos. Even if it is film music, one can feel the divine connect with the sublime Being. That SPB could evolve so well within is understood from the near-nil incidence of any blot on his character. His contribution to devotional songs is something that I want to bring to the notice of readers at a time everyone is talking about his film songs only.   

A particular song that is part of my life is played below.

The devotional songs of the trio Kannadasan – MS Viswanthan – SP Balasubrmanyam in the 80’s had stood well inspite of the competing Annamacharya songs of the Music Empress, MS Subbhlakshmi. That was the high time for divine Hindu songs, I should say. But among all those, SPB’s Ayar padi song became household song for many including me.

How many times have I sung this as lullaby to my kids?  How easily they were put to sleep by the melody of this song? How many times have I felt so tranquil at heart at the meaning and the emotion conveyed by this song! After Kannadasan, SPB is the only other personality of the filmdom about whom I am writing like this.

The lullaby he sang for Krishna, is coming back to him as I write this with moist eyes.

அவன் வாய் நிறைய பாடல் கொண்டு

மண்டலத்தை மயக்கிய பின்

ஓய்வெடுத்து தூங்குகின்றான் ஆராரோ

ஓய்வெடுத்து தூங்குகின்றான் ஆராரோ