Legendary singer SP Balasubramaniam who tested positive for Covid-19, passed away today at the age of 74 leaving the entire nation in shock. The 74-year-old was admitted to the MGM Hospital in Choolaimedu Chennai on August 5 and was suffering from mild symptoms for close to ten days.
Official confirmation by son SPB's son S.P. Charan
SPB's son SP Charan told reporters at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, "SPB belongs to everyone. He will live on in his songs. My dad passed away at 1.04 pm."
Having lost a celebrated musician, the nation is in shock and fans of SP Balasubramanyam are in grief. Social media is flooded with condolences, from celebrities and fans of the late musician.
'With the demise of SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer': PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a heavy heart consoled the death of SP Balasubramanyam. "With the unfortunate demise of Shri SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer. A household name across India, his melodious voice and music enthralled audiences for decades. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti." (sic) read Modiji tweet.
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his condolences to SPB's family. In a statement, the CM said, "Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as SPB, has been the refreshing notation of film music spanning over five decades, enthralling the connoisseurs and common people alike through his multifaceted talent."
Bollywood condoles the death of celebrated singer SP Balasubramanyam.
S P SIR MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!! ????
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) September 25, 2020
Rest in peace #SPBalasubramaniam sir ????
— hitentejwani (@tentej) September 25, 2020
हम बने तुम बने -एक दूजे के लिए। #SPBalasubrahmanyam ji -thank you for the amazing music: -with a heavy heart I say...साथिया या तूने क्या किया? Rest in glory Sir. Condolences to the family, loved ones & millions of fans world over. pic.twitter.com/YYlc9J1UGT
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) September 25, 2020
My deepest condolences to the entire family. This is really sad news indeed. Have loved all his songs. His voice and style was unparalleled. May you Rest in peace sir !!?? #SPBalasubrahmanyam pic.twitter.com/aLyoMPHYuB
— Neil Nitin Mukesh (@NeilNMukesh) September 25, 2020
Wishing you well #SPB Sir #SPBalasubrahmanyam ?? pic.twitter.com/yAyKhupfxN
— Payal Ghosh (@iampayalghosh) September 24, 2020
#SPBalasubrahmanyam ❤️❤️??#FanForever pic.twitter.com/LG6uauOoKa
— Sharib Hashmi (@sharibhashmi) September 25, 2020
SP Balasubrahmanyam Sir’s voice dominated my initial years of cinema. He, of course, had been a legend from long before. Sad ? to learn of his passing. Condolences to his family. #RIPSPB sir ??
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) September 25, 2020
Kamal Hassan bereaved
அன்னைய்யா S.P.B அவர்களின் குரலின் நிழல் பதிப்பாக பல காலம் வாழ்ந்தது எனக்கு வாய்த்த பேறு.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) September 25, 2020
ஏழு தலைமுறைக்கும் அவர் புகழ் வாழும். pic.twitter.com/9P4FGJSL4T
Heartbroken!! RIP SP Balu garu. pic.twitter.com/YTgZEBdvo9
— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) September 25, 2020
#RIP Balu sir ... you have been my voice for many years ... your voice and your memories will live with me forever ... I will truly miss you ... pic.twitter.com/oeHgH6F6i4
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) September 25, 2020
Asha Bhosle on SP Balasubramaniam
This year has seen a lot of unfortunate events. And the news of SP Balasubramaniam's demise that I have heard just now makes me even sadder. He was an amazingly versatile artist. His first songs after South, in Hindi with Lakshmikant Pyarelal, were amazing. His duet with Lata didi was very memorable. Balu sang a lot of songs for RD Burman and was his friend. He had helped me a lot with my Tamil pronunciation in my song for Ilayaraja. The loss of such a great artist has left a huge void in the music world. I wish his soul to rest in peace in this musical journey to be one with the almighty. RIP Balu.
A true legend.'
A heartbroken Dulquer Salmaan called SPB a "true legend" as he paid his last respects to the singer. He tweeted, "Rest in Peace SPB sir. A true legend."
Rest in Peace SPB sir. True legend. ? pic.twitter.com/aKju0579gB
— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) September 25, 2020
An irreparable loss that has left a deep void...It was a blessing and an honour to have worked with SPB sir...learnt so much from him.
— Shekhar Ravjianii (@ShekharRavjiani) September 25, 2020
Rest in peace Sir. Love you.
My prayers and strength to the family...Om Shanti ?
Rahul Gandhi consoles the death of SP Balasubramanyam.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mr S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. His songs touched millions of hearts in many languages. His voice will live on.#RIPSPB
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 25, 2020
SP Balasubramanyam has been the voice of Salman Khan for the various film. However, he hasn't expressed his heartfelt condolence. Salman's last message read as.
Bala Subramaniam sir . All the strength hope wishes from the bottom of my heart to a speedy recovery n thank u for every song u sang fr me n made special your dil dewana hero prem, Love u sir.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) September 24, 2020
Fans can pay their last respects to SPB at his residence.
MGM Healthcare in Chennai has issued a certificate confirming that SP Balasubrahmanyam is COVID-19 negative. Around 4 pm, the singer's mortal remains will be shifted to his residence in Kamdar Nagar in Chennai, where the public will be allowed to pay their last respects.
For the unversed, Last night his condition started to deteriorate.
A statement from the hospital read, "Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam had been admitted at MGM Healthcare on August 5th and commenced on life support measures since August 14th for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. He continued to be closely monitored by our multidisciplinary team in the critical care unit. He tested negative for COVID-19 on September 4th. In a further setback this morning, despite maximal life support measures and the best efforts of the clinical team, his condition deteriorated further, and he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest. With profound grief, we regret to inform you that he has passed away on September 25th at 13:04 Hours. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, well-wishers and admirers at their loss during this time of anguish and sorrow."
The nation mourns the loss of celebrated singer-actor S P Balasubrahmanyam. May his soul rest in peace.