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Pulikku Piranthavane in SFM

This song is one of my favorite so sweet song sung by our Baluji dedicate to SPB Great Fan Mr. Karthik Raja, Namakkal and all SPB Fans. Enjoy Every one.

Movie: Sigaram
Song; Pulikku Piranthavne
Singer: Dr.SPB
Director: Ananthu
Year : 1990

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pulliku piranthavane
poopola valarnthavane
kanavukkum valikkaamal
kaNNuRangu pon mahane..

thanthaiku or aNNai
thaay pola or piLLai
varamaaha peRRavane
suhamaga nee uRagu

naalai unthan solaiyile
natchathiram ethanaiiyo
maharasan thoLkalike
maalaivagai eththanaiyo

indhiranaar seithi varum
manthiramaar olai varum
appoothu neramillai
ippoothe kaNNurRangu.
appoothu neramillai
ippoothe kaNNurRangu.
appoothu neramillai
ippoothe kaNNurRangu.

Vannam Konda Vennilave Suriayan FM

Vannam Konda Vennilave Cute Melody song broadcast for request at Suriayan FM, Covai, Ninaithale Inikkum Prog. Listern and Enjoy Every one.

I welcome and wish to Mr.Pep Sunder, Botton for Vacation Trip to India, Trichy, Covai and Cennai.

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song - vaNNam koNda
singer - SPB
Music - SPB
film - sigaram
lyrics - Vairamuththu

vaNNam koNda veNNilavE vAnam vittu vArAyO
viNNilE pAthaiyillai unnaiththoda ENiyillai (vaNNam)

pakkaththil nIyumillai pArvaiyil Iramillai
sonthaththil pAshaiyillai suvAsikka Asaiyillai
kaNduvanthu solvathaRku kARRukku njAnamillai
nIlaththaip piriththuvittAl vAnaththil Ethumillai
thaLLiththaLLi nIyirunthAl sollikkoLLa yArumillai (vaNNam)

nangkai unthan kUnthalukku nadsaththirap pUppaRiththEn
nangkai vanthu sEravillai nadsaththiram vAduthadi
kaNNiraNdil pArththiruppEn kAlkadukkak kAththiruppEn
jIvanvanthu sErumvarai thEkampOl nAn kidappEn
thEvi vanthu sErnthuvittAl Avi koNdu nAn nadappEn (vaNNam)

Thanks to Mr.Murali Venkitaraman,http://swara.blogspot.com/and Dhool.com for Lyrics.

Sempoove Poove in Surian FM

Dear Friends,

This is a Sweet Melody song from our Baluji. Baluji Dedicate to Delhi. Mr. Bala, and Mr.Sathur Snakar via Surian FM Relay.

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Full song in Tamil Blog posted by Mr.Pep Sunder

http://myspb.blogspot.com/2006/09/blog-post_115775325546791515.html

sempoovE poovE unn mEgam naan vandhaal oru vazhiyundO...
saaindhaadum sangil thuLi pattalum muththagidum mottundE...
padai koNdu nadakkum manmadha silaiyO...oh...
mannavan viralgaL pallavan uLiyO....oh...
imaigaLum udhadugaL aagumO...
vetkaththin vidumurai aayuLin varai dhaanO (sempoovE)

andhi chooriyanum kundril saaya
mEham vandhu kachchai aaha
kaaman thangum mOha poovil muththa kummaaLam
thanga thingaL netri pottum ittu
veNNilaavin kannam thottu
nenjilaadum swasa choottil kaadhal kutraalam
thEn theLikkum thendralaai ninnarugil vandhu naan
sElai nadhi Oramaai neendhi viLaiyaadavaa..
naaLum minnal konjum thaazhampoovai solli
aasai kENikkuLLE aadum meengaL thuLLi
pattilum kaalvali koLLaadhO
kaivaLai kaigaLai keeriyadhO... (sempoovE)

indha thaamaraippoo theeyil indru
kaaththirukku uLLam nondhu
kangaL yennum thooNdil thumbi paadich chellaaadhO
andha kaaman ambu yennai suttu
paavai nenjin naaNam suttu
mEhalaiyin noolarukkum sElai ponpoovE...
minniyadhu thaamarai vaNdu thodum naaLilaa
paavaimayal saayudhE mannan maNi maarbilO..
muththathaalE peNNE sElai neivEn kaNNE
naaNathalOr aadai soodikkoLvEn naanE
thaayaagum vazhi sollaadhE panjaNai pudhaiyalin ragasiyamE...
(saaindhaadum)

Being Balasubrahmanyam: The perfectionist

Hi to all SPB fans,

Posting an interview of our guruji “Being Balasubrahmanyam: The perfectionist” was broadcasted yesterday at 10.30 pm to 11 pm on CNN IBN channel.

I am very thankful to Mr. Ashok for his quick sms to me & other fans. So if anybody missed that interview, watch it here..

The Tamil and Telugu moviegoers were familiar with his deep voice and though he had already got a national award in 1979, he became extremely popular because of the songs in the film Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981.

Anuradha SenGupta: Let me start by talking about a movie which helped the rest of India discover you. You know which one I am talking about.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Yes, Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

Anuradha SenGupta: 1981, Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Prior to Ek Duuje Ke Liye, I sung in couple of dubbed films from Tamil or Telugu to Hindi. The journey was made but not straight into the nucleus actually. When I was at a concert tour in US, suddenly Prasad ji called me.

He somehow caught hold of my number and called and he said, ‘You have to break your journey in Mumbai Baalu because we are making a film, the Hindi version of a Telugu film in which you have sung’ and he said ‘Mr Balachander wants you to sing in the film. My music directors Lakshmikant Pyarelal want to meet you’ and actually Lakshmi ji was there and he asked me to sing a Hindi song.

Anuradha SenGupta: What did you sing? Do you remember?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: I sang their number only from Dosti, Jaane walon zara, mud ke dekho mujhe.... That was a comfortable number, which I was used to doing on stages prior to my entry into the films. Then he asked me to sing another number, I sang the title number from Mere Mehboob. He was not very convinced. He said he would get back to me. That is exactly what he said. I too was very apprehensive. I did not even dream of it, so even if it fizzled, I would not feel too bad about it.

Then I went back and Balachander was adamant that I should sing in his film. Even if there is a problem in my pronunciation, he said the character himself is a Tamil person in the film. He said it should not be a problem at all. Since then, I have sung in many films and no one has found fault even in my pronunciation. So, that was my entry into the Hindi film music.

Anuradha SenGupta: You have won six National awards and one of it was for the film Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Yes, Tere mere beech mein...

Anuradha SenGupta: Yes, but can I tell you the song that I still remember and love, was picturised on Kamal Hassan and Rati Agnihotri in the lift.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Mere Jeevan saathi…! That song was fun. We had a very nice time and moreover those days, there was live recording with the orchestra and even the musicians felt so nice while recording it.

Anuradha SenGupta: It is an energy which in itself gives you a high. Isn’t it?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Even in a cubicle, through a glass, if you look at the musicians, and you give your feedback, it is an amazing feeling.

Anuradha SenGupta: It is the feeling of the feedback that is coming instantly from everyone around.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: You get so much of energy. That is what we are losing now. For a beginner, when you start your career, it is very important to have the presence of senior singers, co-singers, musicians etc. There are lots of corrections and improvisations to be made and by the presence of these people, you feel you have some support. That is missing now. Most of the times, these days, we don’t even have the music directors present in the recording studios. Now, everything is so fixed and stipulated. These are small compromises one has to make, but at the same time, there are some advantages also. You save a lot of time.

Anuradha SenGupta: You can do more work.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: You don’t have to strain yourself. When there is an advantage, there is always a disadvantage following it. All said and done, we have to move with time.

In 1989, SP Balasubrahmanyam sang for Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya and the hit connection was made endearing him even further to Hindi movie goers.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: When it happens, it happens! They thought they needed a voice that was not too heard of in Hindi. Though I was quite popular before Maine Pyaar Kiya, my voice was heard, but not overheard yet. All the songs made a lot of difference and then came Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and the other subsequent films. The best thing is that the music should become a hit, only then a voice will be heard. And the combination here became successful. Even out of Rajshri films, the other film, the song, Dekha Hai Pehli Baar... from the film Saajan became a hit. It was pure luck. There are no reasons for certain things. I feel that things just happen. Like my becoming a singer!

Anuradha SenGupta: Yes, we lost an engineer to get a singer. Isn’t it?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: My dream was to become an engineer.

Anuradha SenGupta: Did you complete studying engineering?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: No, one more year is left.

Anuradha SenGupta: Just gave it up.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: For three years, I did both studying and singing but it was very difficult. Then I had to take a decision. I thought that if it does not work well in music, I could go back and finish my engineering. But with singing, I may not get a chance again. I might get late. So, the industry never allowed me to go back and study.

SP Balasubrahmanyam holds a record for recording most number of songs. He is amused with the fact how people keep inflating the number from around 36, 000 that he says it is, to 39,000 and even 50,000. Though he is not working towards any records, he says that the numbers do mean something.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Even at the age of 62, even after 42 years of singing, I everyday record at least two songs, unless I feel lethargic. That means that I am still in the race. And I am still able to give what my music directors are asking for. That feeling gives you satisfaction. It is not the numbers but the fact that I am able to shell out what my directors’ want. I think even at 62, I am very comfortable in going out and doing shows and singing.

Anuradha SenGupta: Shivaji was the big hit. Balle Lakka, the Rajini introduction song as they call it. You did that. But are you now consciously doing less work?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: No, not at all. Usually if you ask a celebrity whose numbers come down, they say, ‘I am very selective and choosy. I am doing so many shows’ and so on. However, let me not talk like that. It is a natural process. After four decades, we have seen two generations of singers and actors who have come up.

They have caught the attention of the audience and filmmakers. But I am still shoulder-to-shoulder with them. But with time, the number of songs does come down. Thee only way I can say I have cut down, is because I am a little conscious of the content of the songs now. I know I am doing my job for a commercial purpose, but there should be a level below which I should not go.

Anuradha SenGupta: On an average, over 700 songs a year, I am guessing that everyone wanted a bit of SP Balasubrahmanyam. So, why did he say yes to them? Is it because he wanted to make hay while the sun shines or is it because it becomes difficult to say a no.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: The second one is right. Till today my younger brother Kamal Hassan tells me that I should learn to say no. I have not sung songs to make a record. It just happened. The 19 songs day recording was with a senior colleague Sushila ji. We were going to US for a concert in 1977. We were literally the only two singers who were known there at that time. So, on the last day before leaving, we started at 8 30 in the morning and ended at about 1 30 in the early hours, with one hour lunch break.

Anuradha SenGupta: How does an artist cope up with this?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Creativity was not the question because they were simple songs. I was 46 then and the energy levels were very high. I still enjoy what I do. I don’t do what I don’t enjoy. I want to tell my viewers and friends that they should not get carried away with this 36,000 songs record. I just count on how many good numbers I have sung. Whenever I listen to my songs, I carefully listen to how many mistakes I have made. Everyone says that I have become senile and that I calculate everything. Even if there is a little mistake in some note, one tends to feel the world has come to an end. I also know that no body is perfect. Even the best singers tend to go wrong at times. But as much as humanly possible, I want to be perfect.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Everyone thinks that I am Tamil. But I am actually from Andhra.

Anuradha SenGupta: You have to prove that by singing a couple of lines from a Telugu song.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Sankarabharanam is good enough to prove that.

Anuradha SenGupta: It is classical music and you are not a trained classical singer.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Until Sankarabharanam people used to greet me by saying, ‘Hi Baalu’, but after that they greeted me with joined hands and said ‘Hello Baalu’.

Besides singing SP Balasubrahmanyam is an actor, composer, TV host and a dubbing artist. His output is as prolific as it is varied.

Anuradha SenGupta: I heard you said somewhere that every singer is an actor. Singing in front of the microphone is acting. But unlike every singer, though there have been some notable singers who have acted, you are also an actor. Why did you act in Mohammed-Bin-Tughlaq?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: First tell me how much homework have you done for this interview. From where did you get these lines? I appreciate your work. Anyway, from my younger days I have been acting in school days. It just happened when I started my Telugu film career. The second year after my entry, there was a film where a famous singer has to come and sing a song for an occasion in the film. I was young. I was 21 at that time. I was quite handsome at that time. They thought that I should enact the song sung by me by me. It was the first time that I faced a camera. Couple of my friends who became directors, they knew that there is a lively person in me who could act. So, I started doing some cameos. Then they became bigger roles. But I was very conscious while I was doing these roles. I wanted to fit the role that I did. I got a couple of awards that time for my acting.

Anuradha SenGupta: I saw you dance with Prabhu Deva in a film. You have done it all. Isn’t it?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: I never thought that I would be dancing in the film. The director and Prabhu Deva were so secretive about it. One day they just told me that I was going to dance that day. I asked if I was dancing with him. He said that what he does while he runs around in the set, I should stay put in one place and do it. Somehow, I did it and I enjoyed it.

Anuradha SenGupta: When you sing for Rajinikanth, or Kamal Hassan, I don’t think you are trying to sound like they are singing. Am I right?

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Most people think that I change my voice for actors that I sing for. But that is not right. You are absolutely correct. The style can be different. I just try to get the vibrancy of actors in my singing. When I sing a romantic number for Kamal, I try to get the style in my singing. I mostly sung for them. It also helped me to dub them properly. Naturally, people suggest that a singer should not do anything more than singing as it affects the vocal chords.

My younger brother screams at me for taking up dubbing and other things. But I get carried away. No other singer has undergone a surgery like the way I underwent because of all this. I had to get a surgery twice on my vocal chords. I miss a lot of things.

I miss my personal life. I did not see my children growing up. It is so sad. I was working like a mad guy. I pity my wife. She was very young when I got married to her. You won’t believe she was 15 and I was 20 when we got married. I did not know at that young age how to manage my work and time and I could not afford to keep a manager at that time. But, now I am giving 200 per cent to my family.

Anuradha SenGupta: You are trying to make up now.

SP Balasubrahmanyam: Now they want me out of the house. They have had too much of me.

Anuradha SenGupta: The sun is setting and as we close, will you sing a few lines for us.

Guruji rendered some lines of Tere Mere Beech Mein..

PBS, Susheela, Janaki, SPB Felicitated

PBS, Susheela, Janaki, SPB Felicitated
[Friday, May 30, 2008]

In a grand and opulent style the four top playback singers of this nation Dr.P.B.Srinivas, P.Susheela, S.Janaki and Dr.S.P.Balasubramaniam were felicitated by producer of 'Ganga Cauvery' R.V.Venkatappa at the audio release of the film at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore on Thursday evening.

It was a touching felicitation function and the first audio release of a film made by S.P.Balasubramaniam in Kannada. Symbolizing Ganga and Cauvery rivers a set was erected by art director Hosmane Murthy at the audio release function.

Addressing on this occasion noted playback singer Dr.SPB said,” The love and affection what he got from Karnataka has not come for him from any other part of the country. Dr.PB Srinivas, S.Janaki and P.Susheela and me are all non Kannadigas yet the people of Karnataka showed immense love for the talent. They simply loved our songs. This is admirable said SP Balasubramaniam. I have learnt so many things in my profession from PBSji, Janakiamma and Susheelamma. Among them the humbleness is most important”.

Thnaks to Indiaglitz.com

Mr.R.G.Narayanan view, Bangalore

This event happend a little over a month ago. The function was held towards the audio release of the film 'Ganga Kaveri', featuring the producer Mr. R.V. Vemkatappa's son Akshay.

In this fuction they felicitated Shr. P.B.Srinivas, Smt. P.Susheela, Smt. S.Janaki and our beloved Shri. S.P.B. To add to the events narrated by Covai Ravee, our man was in a pretty jovial mood from the start. Before the diginitaries were called to the dias, they were seated in the front row of the audience area, where our man was regaling SJ with some joke or the other, and as usual, she was continuously laughing, from time to time joined by PS.

To give a hint of his palyful mood;

while they were trooping one behind the other to the dias, PBS, PS,SJ,SPB one behind the other [in that order], our man put both hands on SJ's each shoulder and mimicked the way children run behind one-another like a train, moving from one side to another!

While PS was asked to speak, she apologised for not being able to speak kannada, and asked if Balu would translate what she spoke. Our man readily took the mic, but he was less in a mood to translate than to have fun. So, when she said, that there two kokhilam [Kuyil] on stage [referring to herself and SJ], our man immediately shot back saying, [roughly translated] 'I dont know who started this habit of calling females 'kokhila'... The word kohilam comes from Sanskrit and it connotes male gender. Kokhilam is never applied as a female gender... I dont know why, but you females have hijacked the word, and we males are left in lurch without having anything to call ourselves... . This is really unfair... [pointing to the crowd], let all the males unite against this.... No amma, you should accept that there are 4 kokhilam on stage...'. Needless to say everyone was in splits.

To take it to next level he said, pointing to PBS, 'he is a kokhilam, I always call Susheela amma 'white' kokhilam, isn't she a white kokhila....[ turning to SJ who was sitting right next to him, moving his hand over her head in playfull caressing way] this lady sitting next to me.... er.... is a 'white head' kokhila [referiing to her greying hair]'... The whole audi was enjoying and laughing their hearts out [including SJ, who knows our mans way only too well]....

Somehow the topic went to age when PBS had first spoken [calling himself 16 year old, because of a kannada song which starts 'I am a 16 year old boy', he had sung for Dr. Raj I believe], and PS who spoke next, also took it up as a theme and spoke how she had no white hair, so she was younger, etc :) . Then SJ came and said, 'Of all the people on stage I am the youngest'... Immediately our man, leaned sideways, with hands on his hip, and gave a mock offended expression!! ! to which SJ retorted saying 'Yeah... yeah... I know Balu, you are the youngest by way of age, but I was talking about experience'

All the other dignitaries and organisers praised how, though all of these singers mother tounge not being kannada have contributed so much with such great songs in Kannada. And as Ravee has mentioned, our man as he usually does, showered/ heaped all praises for Kannada fans.

Just tought would fill in our people on the non-core aspects of the function. Hope you liked reading this....

R.G.Narayanana, Bangalore

Bhooma Devi Pole Vazhum - SFM/RGLN

PANJA KALYANI

This is a one of my most favorite semi pethas melody song of Booma Devi Pole Vazhum Jeevan Neethane from Panja Kalyani broadcast on Surian FM song explanation RJ. Mr.Lakshmi Narayana, Surian FM. Listern and enjoy.

Movie: Panja Kalyani
Singer: Dr.SPB
Music: Shyam
Explanation in Tamil: Mr. R.G. Lakshmi Narayana, RJ at Surian FM

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aaaa aaaa nana aaaa
nanaaaaaaa nana aaaa
nanaaaa heyyeeeeee

boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane
boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane

aaraam arivai thera manithan
niyaayam maranthane yeeeee
aaraam arivai thera manithan
niyaayam maranthane hoyyyyy

boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane

thaagam theerkum megam pole
neeyum vanthaayeee
thaagam theerkum megam pole
neeyum vanthaayeee

odam poleeeeeeeeeeee nanaaaaaa
odam pole oram sayinthu soham thanthayeee
jaadhi pedham oorai vaatum
kaalam maaratho oo nalla naalum vaaratho
naalum vaaratho

boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane

thiyaagam seythu theyntha unnai veesi erinthale
thiyaagam seythu theyntha unnai veesi erinthale
paavi manithan nnnnnn nananaaaaa
paavi manithan paava seyailai neeyum marappaaye

jaadhi pedham oorai vaatum
kaalam maaratho oo nalla naalum vaaratho
naalum vaaratho

boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane

aaraam arivai thera manithan
niyaayam maranthane ahaaaaa
aaraam arivai thera manithan
niyaayam maranthane hoooo

boomaa devi pola vaazhum
jeevan nee thane
jeevan nee thane
jeevan nee thane

Issued Free Computers for Teaching

Issued Free Computers for Teaching

Coimbatore SPB Fans of Software members are Teach Free Computer study to Coimbatoer Seva NIlayam Girls students. I and my friend and SPB Fans of Athmas Mr.Ananth Srinivasan, Athmas Mr, Sunder Srinivasan and his team are give to Seva Nilayam School 7 used good condition computers and teaching also. I thank to my freinds and covai fans for this good activities.

And I also given to you all a Lovely melody song of Manam Ennum Naatiya medai from Or Oomayin Raagam. Enjoy Every one.

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Suriyan Radio Presentation of 4th June 2008

Dear Friends,

The following Lovely comments from G.Dasarathy Sir, Chennai. I welcome his comments and appreciations and i sat to him Thanks a lot. These all credits goes to Dr.SPB and Mr.Sunder, Bostton.

Here is the given again 3 audio same files links for Other Lang SPB Fans.

File 1

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Covai Ravee Avargale,

They say something in Tamil which translates to "Even if it is late, it is the latest" in English. I have been late in listening to this Suriyan Radio Presentation of 4th June 2008 but I am trying to present my latest comments I thought it would be easy to comment, but alas, I am at a loss for words to express the uniqueness of this great radio presentation. Only a true and great fan of SPB can make such a program possible. Dear Covai Ravee, HATS off to YOUR initiative and efforts & ably supported by Sundar as I understand. What a way to celebrate the LEGEND's birthday by presenting a program which is a dextrous mixture of events that took place in the Singer's life during the different periods of his life and making it come as a live show and that too presenting along with his UNSUNG songs series.

File 2

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The Suriyan FM presenter Mr.Lakshmi Narayan and Mr.Ravi Varma have added life and soul to the program through wonderful editing and presentation. The base voice of Lakshmi Narayan seems to add beauty to the effect of the night. Congratulations. Eventhough, I have been one of those fortunate fans who had seen the 30 years celebration of our SPB's singing career and heard all 14 unsung songs of HIS, the way a mix of the two were presented by SURIYAN FM was simply astouding. We could feel the truth and sincerity in SPB's voice when he expressed his thanks to all HIS seniors and forerunners in the Industry, to all those who had paved the path for HIM and to the FANS One would have felt our hairs bristle on listening to Kalaignar Karunanidhi, S.Janaki & Vaali praising our GURUji. We would have rejoiced listening to the popular songs of other singers in our LEGEND's sweet, melliflous & expressive voice. And finally the way some of his other songs were interlaced into the program. It is superb. For eg. the "naan oru medai paadagan..." (i am a stage singer.....) seems to accurately present the views which he used to express at many occasions. It says "i have learnt very little and still have a lot to learn" "I go to wherever there is music".

File 3

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It applies to HIM the song "madai thiranthu......" - is a true depiction of an aspiring artiste and suits his state of that period when he was trying to make a name for himself in the industry the song "paadum bothu naan......" - talks about his songs and himself as well and we can go on adding the positives of all the songs presented in endless time. I stop now to once again congratulate the team of Covai Ravee, Sundar, Suriyan's Lakshmi Narayan & Ravi Varma for a memorable and unique presentation on the memorable day of our LEGEND. This year's celebrations have started off really great. KEEP it up HATS off to Sundar for making available the complete series of UNSUNG songs on Esnips to all the Fans

regards,
Dasaradhi

Theology, knowing thyself

"Who is GOD?".

The answer for this question differs from person to person. If you ask an atheist, he will mock at you, and may define the term as 'nature' by considering himself as Baron d'Holbach. On the other hand, just ask a person who believes in the existence of GOD, he will define the term with specific conceptions. And ask a scientist, especially a Physicist, he will adjust his spectacle, and will reply 'Light' by deriving some equations and the great Albert Einstein and his equations will assist him to confuse us. And, do not seek the definition from a philosopher, because you will end up with a state of bewilderment. Even the definition of 'GOD' is itself ambiguity; hence the question of his/her/its existence is again very ambiguous. But according to the old adage and conviction 'There will be a power above us which rules us', and the power again differs from person to person and his thoughts. And one must agree that the GOD is nothing but a superior soul, and an honesty heart which will help you to know thyself. For me, the power which makes me to know myself is nothing but the divine MUSIC.

I'm not an atheist, usually believes in my own GOD. It was 1997, when I was doing my Undergraduate, one of my close friends, was an atheist and he was always scolding the superstitious, and whenever he happened to see me in listening to some devotional songs which I used to, before going to any examination, then again he will start his scolding at my illogical belief. He was very normal student in studies, and he passed all his exams with average marks, still without arrears. There was an allied paper in our under-graduate, 'Electricity & Magnetisms'; he attempted that paper three times, but all in vain. Then, in the final semester, I requested my friend to listen an audio, which is about Guru Raghavendra, before going to prepare for that Physics paper. Again he annoyed with me and the same old story, the scolding. But somewhat I requested him to listen in that audio, then at least to respect my friendship, he agreed and started to listen in that audio everyday, before preparing for the exam and finished that paper with confidence. Finally, the result announced, believe me or not, he scored a mammoth eighty three (out of one hundred) in that paper which eluded him for the past three semesters.

Days, Months, years are running like anything.

I still remember our conversation after he got the result of his Physics paper. I wanted him to agree the existence of GOD or at least the existing power as Music, hence, I asked him 'So now you believe in GOD?' he nodded and replied me 'Not the GOD, but the Goddess POWER', as I smiled with smug, and asked 'You mean the MUSIC?', and 'YES' was the reply which I expected from his mouth, but he replied 'No'.

Now, I was perplexed and asked again 'IF NOT MUSIC, THEN??' He replied very calmly like a saint,

'THAT VOICE'

Happy Birthday to that GOD and his GODLY VOICE.


-S.Balasubramanian
www.prodigyhub.org

Sajaa Hain Bhajnalay - Ghatothkach (Hindi)

Hi to All SPB Fans,


I am posting a Fresh Hindi Song of Guruji from Ghatothkach released on May 23, 2008.
There is 1 song "Sajaa Hain Bhojanalay" by our Guruji. & This is latest release of SPB in Hindi after 5 Years. Ghatothkach is 2d Animated film dubbed in various languages.

Enjoy th song & post ur comment...

Song - sajaa hain bhajnalay
Movie - Ghatothkach
Singer - Dr. S.P.Balasubramaniyam
Lyric - Sameer
Composer - Singeetam Srinivasa Rao

Sajaa Hain Bhajnalay
Bhojan Ka Hain Himalay
Lagi Hain Bhook Jamke
Khaoonga Pet Bharke

Ha Ha Haha Ha Ha Haa

Laddo, Laal Pedha, Barfi, Naan Khatai
Boondi, Son-Halwa, Rassgulla, Rassmalai
Kaala Gulab Jaamun Ha Ha Haa Haa
Khaoonga Pet Bharke..

Sajaa Hain Bhajnalay
Bhojan Ka Hain Himalay
Lagi Hain Bhook Jamke
Khaoonga Pet Bharke


Puri Sabji Chatni Aur Ghee Mein Dooba Halwa
Doodh Ki Nadi Hai, Khir Ka Hain Jalwa, Khana Hai Laajawab
Waah Ha Haahaa

Sajaa Hain Bhajnalay
Bhojan Ka Hain Himalay
Lagi Hain Bhook Jamke
Khaoonga Pet Bharke

Ha Ha Haa Haa Haa


Ped Lete Lete
Halkeke Bane Pahaad
Sharbati Samundar Aur Aam Ke Achar
Dahi Hain Bemisaal Ha Ha Haahaa Haa

Sajaa Hain Bhajnalay
Bhojan Ka Hain Himalay
Lagi Hain Bhook Jamke
Khaoonga Pet Bharke

Waah Ha Haahaa

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250:Dr.SPB INIYA IRAVU

INIYA IRAVU : Dr.SPB

Dear Friends,

The following small preview audio SuPerB Programme "YINIYA IRAVU" at Surian FM Covai, as Programme Titile "PAADUM NILAVUM PARAMA RASIGANUM" will broadcost "VERY SOON". I request you all Covai and Sortounding places SPB Fans Listern and Enjoy about our beloved Guruji Doctor SPB article on AIR. This programme created by my best friend "DIGITAL VOICE" RJ Sri.R.G. LAKSHMI NARAYANA. This is a sample preview i am awaiting very eagerly with you all for this air programme. Kindly send wishes to me i will included in this blog. - Covai Ravee

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Hey Krishna Mukunda Muraaree

This song starts with the remix of the old classical tune. The listeners presume that the song would be a total remix. But Keeravani soon changes the stance and shows his individuality with the launch of a female voice. This song, though it cannot be equated to the old classic song 'Hey Krishna Mukunda Murari…' has its own literary and music values. - Writeup >> Thanks to India Glitz.com

Pandurangadu 2008
Singer: Dr.S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, Himabandu
Lyricist: Suddala Ashok Teja
Starring : Balakrishna, Sneha, Tabu, Veda, Suhasini
Music : Keeravani
Director : K Raghavendra Rao
Producer : K Raghavendra Rao





Hey Krishna Mukunda Muraaree
sri krishna sri kesava sri maadhava sridharaa
daamodara nee darshana meejanmaku dorakadaa

Hey maadhava pundareeka hey vanamaalee
govindaa bakthahrudaya brundaa vihaaree
a gajendra pranadatha neevekadha sriharee
kona voopiri voopirivai kanipinchaga raraa haree
Hey maadhava pundareeka hey vanamaalee

anudina jana doopa deepa sambramlo
deena janula kannellu kanapadava maadhavaa
gana gana gana gana gana gudi gantaaraavamlo
ninu nammina gunde gosha vinapadada kesaavaa
vinapadadaa kesava vinapadadaa kesavaa
vinna vinapadanattu vuntaava raayilaa
vinte manasunte kanulunte kanugonte
koluvunte raayilaa

sri krishna sri kesava sri maadhava sridharaa
daamodara nee darshana meejanmaku dorakadaa

Hey maadhava pundareeka hey vanamaalee
govindaa bakthahrudaya brundaa vihaaree

yesoda bahulaga vechivvunnadani venkatesuniga vellave
govinda govinda venkataramana govinda
narakaasure chera vanithala korakai samaraarbati kaavinchave
gopala gopala kokila nandana gopala
neekai janichi neekai japinchee
neekai thapinchi neekai jwalinche
deasuraalike daresenamivvagaa
garbhamole nirbandinche e garbakudaa neekaddanki
neeli meghame nippu raalachaga nemaili pinchame dhadispisthe
prabanjanam prajwalinchadaa nee kaali koodi a ajnapisthe
thalupulu therinchoo darsena mippinchoo

Hey Krishna Mukunda Muraaree

Nenapu Nenapu

Nenapu Nenapu…. The repeat of the lyrics and similar scoring is sung by SPB says there is no death for memories. This is also song in patho style by the ace singer. There is love for you even in my breath say one of the lines.

Song: Nenapu Nenapu
Movie: Savi Savi Nenapu
Starring: Mallika Kapoor, Prem KUmar
Singer: Dr.S.P.Balasubramanyam
Producer:Dr.SPB

Note: In this film all songs play list in the following link I request you to pls click above play list button and select Nenapu Nenapu song and Listern. Thanks for Cooperation. - Covai Ravee

Jillunnu oru isai mazhai

Making music immortal

First SPB Fans Thank to The Hindu Metroplus Newspaper for this article. And I Personally thank to Mr.Jeevanlal, Manager of Annalakshmi Restaurent, Coimbatore for information to me.

This is a audio file from Surian FM Mr.Ravi Varma (RJ). I dedicate to this audio for our beloved members to Mr.N.Ramanathan, Mr.Aanand and All SPB Fans. Enjoy

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When M. S. Viswanathan, S. P. Balasubhramanyam and P. Susheela get together, the result is magic, writes K. JESHI

Photos: S. Siva Saravananan

Casting a spell M.S. Viswanathan with S.P. Balasubhramanyam and S.P. Sailaja and P. Susheela

They revolutionised south Indian film music. She is a melody queen. And, his voice is magic. It was great music when mellisai mannargal M. S. Viswanathan, T.R. Ramamurthy, P. Susheela and S.P. Balasubhramanyam gathered for an unfor gettable bonanza in Coimbatore. Organised by Helpline Arts Academy that is into social service for six years, the funds raised from the evening will be used to conduct heart surgeries for disadvantaged children.

The programme, Sangeetha Saamrajyam, will remain etched forever in the memory of every music lover present there. It was not just about great music, but also an opportunity to draw inspiration as the legends shared anecdotes from their illustrious music careers. What shone through was their humility, mutual love and respect and of course, their passion for music.

Setting the mood

It was a delight to watch the paasaa sandai between the legendary M.S.V and singer SPB. The music director wanted his children (the singers) to be honoured first, but the singer insisted that their appa should take precedence.

Jillunnu oru isai mazhaiyil nanaiyya poareenga, the compere Uma Pamanabhan announced to a packed audience at Ramalinga Chettiar School grounds on Alagesan Road. And, that’s what happened with P. Susheela’s invocation song, Iraivan varuvaan avan enrum nimmadhi tharuvaan.

Apart from his mesmerising singing it is always a pleasure to watch SPB move about with the members of the orchestra, joking with them and helping them fine tune their instruments. When the audio became jarring, he went to the sound engineers, put on the ear phones and helped them set the audio system right, all along cheering for singer Ananthu as he sang the popular number vizhiye kadhai ezhudhu from the MGR starrer Urimai Kural with P. Susheela. Back on stage, he gave thumbs up to the team with a smile and settled down on his chair. Every member in the audience thanked him.

When it was his turn, SPB gave the orchestra the ‘one, two, three…’ cue, and cast his spell with unakkenna melae ninraai oh nandha laala. During a break the veteran M.S.V director had generous words for his colleagues. He said, “Singers like Balu, T.M. Soundarrajan and P. Susheela innovate the compositions so beautifully and bring popularity to music directors like me”.

M.S.V’s presence also energised the gathering. He stood there on stage all through the concert, playing his compositions on the harmonium and the keyboard and pepping up the singers and the orchestra. “If you clap well, we’ll get into the right mood,” he urged the audience.

Memorable was sindhu nadhiyin isai nilavinile…, Bharathiar’s poem set to music by M.S.V. Maalai pozhudhin mayakkathilae followed. “It is my brother Ilayaraaja’s favourite,” said MSV and went on to narrate many anecdotes of working with Kannadasan. And SPB followed that up with sippi irukkudhu muthum irukkudhu composition from K. Balachander’s film Varumaiyyin niram sigappu.

SPB’s innovation in ‘mayakkam thanthadhu yaar… MSVyo, kannadasano…’ was a treat. “They are mellisai mahachakravarthigal…Ilayaraaja and I used to wait in Luz corner everyday to get a glimpse of his white ambassador hoping we’d get a chance to work with him,” the singer recalled and told the audience that his sister S.P. Sailaja was also blessed to have performed with the legend.

Kanaa kaanum kangal mella from Agni Saakshi by SPB was beautiful. When Susheela sang her national award winning number, naalai indha velai parthu odi vaa nila, the music director turned nostalgic. “When Susheelamma came for the recording I told her she’d win the national award and she did,” said MSV. Susheela recalled “I got the award in ’69. Balu, Janaki, TMS and I were lucky to work with him. There is so much variety in every song,” she said and hummed partha nyabagam illaiyo.

Of melody and matter

“People feel bad that I haven’t won any awards, but earning your love and affection is the biggest award,” MSV told the audience. “Matter, meter and melody is important for a song, even if it’s a kuthu song,” he said and sang manidhan ninaipadhundu vazhvu nilaikkum endru from Avan dhaan manidhan. SPB sang the popular vaa nila nila admiring the bright moon and shouts of ‘once more’ rent the air. He sang ayiram nilavae vaa, vaa venilla and the extraordinary kamban aemaandhan.

When Kovai Murali sang adi ennadi raakkamma, MSV kept time clapping and the crowd joined in the fun. When asked if the new generation was missing out on good music, “No,” replied MSV. “At a concert in Pondicherry, an eight-year-old came up to us and asked for ninaipathellam nadanthu vittaal. That is 38-year-old! Irakkum manidhan, iravaa paadalgal (mortal men, immortal music).”

First Part of Audio File in Concert

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Second Part of Audio File in Concert.

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Enjoy Every one and send your feelings in Comment section. - Covai Ravee

SPB's First Ever Song in Marathi

SPB recorded his first ever song in Marathi recently in Mumbai. This article was printed in today's newspaper (April 03, 2008) "Maharashtra Times". I am posting transalated version of it for all SPB fans.

"SPB TOUCHES WITH HIS SONGS AND PLEASANT DOWN-TO-EARTH SIMPLICITY"

“Sir, if I make any mistake, do not hesitate whatsoever, and rectify me till I get all the nuances in the right way. I have no issues”…. Music director Salil Kulkarni was blessed to hear these sweet and kind words from a Legendary singer which is very difficult to expect these days even from a new and upcoming singer. He is known as the “Voice” of South India, and he has left a credible dent in Hindi too with his sweet as honey voice. Yes, we are talking about the legendary singer Dr. S.P. Balasubramaniam who has just sung his first ever song in Marathi. What left a lasting impression on all those present on this occasion in addition to superb rendition of the song by SPB was the singers egoless (?), simplicity and the quest for perfection.

SPB flew from Chennai to Mumbai to sing this song for the marathi movie “Bandya aani baby”. The song was recorded in Suresh Wadekars “Aajivasan Studio”. SPB said earlier that “My long desire of singing in Marathi has been fulfilled with this song, I am happy about this. Salil played this song over phone. I agreed instantly listening to the rhythm. Salil also asked me about my scale (range of voice), and I really felt very good. Nowadays, nobody asks this. Many music directors insist that a singer must sing according to his scale (music directors system of definite tones).“ When asked if he listens to marathi songs, he replied “I listened them when many singers from Maharashtra come for programmes in Chennai, and also my friend Suresh Wadekar helps”.
Chats over and back to rehearsals. SPB first heart the complete song from Salil, and asked him the meaning of every word. After getting the proper pronunciations of every word, he got them recorded on his recorder. He then said “Give me half an hour time to prepare”, and then he started practicing. Exactly after half-an-hour, he came out for recording and asked Salil, “If I make a mistake, make me do it again.” He co-operated every moment, and to the core! Sometimes, it so happened that even though Salil okayed the take, SPB would say…“Sir, please at this particular word my vocals aren’t proper, so please get one take extra. Just in case…” He would also enquire “Is it ok if I express the emotion in this way?”

After the complete song was heard he embraced Salil saying, “this song really doesn’t seem to be belonging to this era…especially…with the lyrics and the semi-classical ragas… with my voice!! I request Salil not to make songs that are made in this generation. I am glad I waited to sing a song in Marathi for this long…because now it has genuinely hit the right node…and I am glad it took it off in the right scale…!”


Eventually… the recording was over…but that was a spectacular day that people present there in the studio witnessed………!!!
Truly it was a marvelous day with the magnificent maestro…unforgettable..!!!
Quoting….SPB!!

mEghaalE taakindi hai

Hi friends, this is a song from Preminchukundam raa. Our gr8 S.P.B, and Chitra sung this song in a different manner. When i used to hear this son, i feel like roaming in snow mountains and feel the cool breeze of the song... so melodious and also in middle, fast beat will come suddenly.. that is the highlight of this song...
more than this, i cant say anything abt this song... u hear this song and enjoy urself.. Have a nice S.P.B's song Day :)

Posted by: N.Usha, Hyderabad



Movie Name: Preminchukundam Raa (1997)
Singer: Balasubramanyam S P, Chithra K S
Music Director: Mahesh N
Lyrics: Siri Vennela Sitarama Sastry
Year: 1997
Actors: Anjala Zhaveri, Venkatesh
Theme: Love

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mEghaalE taakindi hai hailEssa
navaraagam lO navindi naa mOnalisa
ee gaali rEpindi naalO nisha
chElaregaali rammandi hallO anTu vOllO vaalE andhaala apsarasa

mEghaalE taakindi hai hailEssa
navaraagam lO navindi nee mOnalisa
ee gaali rEpindi naalO nisha
adi naa swaasalO chEri hallO anTu allEsindi nee meeda naa aasha

tOlisaari ninnu choosi manasaagaka
pilichaanE chilakamma mElla mEllaga
tEluganta teeyanga nuvvu palikaavE snEhanga
chElimana valavEsi nannu laagaga
chEranu nee neeDa chala challa ga
giliginta kaligEla tOli valapanTe tElisEla
aa kulukana maaTe nannu chErE daaka
tirigaanu tElusa Em tOchaka

meghale taakindi hai hailEssa
navaraagam lO navindi naa mOnalisa
ee gaali rEpindi naalO nisha
chElaregaali rammandi hallO anTu vOllO vaalE andhaala apsarasa

tOli pOddu vElluganta chiruvEDiga
niluvElla pullakinta chigurinchaga digullEdo haiyEdo
gurtu chEripindi ee vinta
Oka mattu kaligindi gamattuga
nijam EdO kala yEdo maripinchaga
pagalEdO rEyEdO rEnDu kalisaayi nee chEmpa
prEmanTe intE EmmO mari
daanantu EdO choostE sari

meghale taakindi hai hailEssa
navaraagam lO navindi naa mOnalisa
ee gaali rEpindi naalO nisha
chElaregaali rammandi hallO anTu vOllO vaalE andhaala apsarasa

maate mantramu from Seetakokachiluka (telugu)

Hi SPB Fans,

On my 50th post in this blog I present 1 classic telugu song maate mantramu from Seetakokachiluka beautifully rendered by Gurujji & S.P.Sailaja. It is a great composition by Ilaiyaraaja.

Movie Name: Seetakokachiluka (1983)
Singer: Balasubrahmanyam Sp, Shailaja S P
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Year: 1983
Actors: Aruna, Murali(Karthik), Smita



Om Satamaanam Bhavati Sataayu Purusha
Satendriya Aayushevendriye Prati Dishtati

Maate Mantramu Manase Bandhamu
Ee Mamate Ee Samate Mangala Vaadyamu
Idi Kalyaanam Kamaneeyam Jeevitam
Maate Mantramu Manase Bandhamu
Ee Mamate Ee Samate Mangala Vaadyamu
Idi Kalyaanam Kamaneeyam Jeevitam

Neeve Naalo Spandinchinaa
Ee Priya Layalo Sruti Kalise Praanamide
Nene Neevugaa Puvvu Taavigaa
Samyogaala Sangeetaalu Virise Velalo

Nene Neevai Preminchinaa
Ee Anuraagam Palikinche Pallavive
Yedanaa Kovelaa Yedute Devataa
Valapai Vacchi Varame Icchi Kalise Velalo

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SPB Concert in Auckland on 23rd feb 2008

Dear Frineds,

This is a Details report SPB Concert in Auckland on 23rd Feb, 2008. Mr. Dominc Raja send to Mr. Vikas, Mumbai the Lovely Details report about Concert. Enjoy his feelings. I thank to Vikas send for immediatly for our members.

Could have requested you to request SPB to meet me for 2 minutes atleast at the concert. The concert was on Sat(23/Feb 08)in Auckland, terrible raining weather with storm. Auckland is not like India, tight security in the concert, I had to take back the photo camera to my car, not allowed inside, so no chance of a video recording. The organisers are mainly money minded, people from Hyderabad.
SPB is a real gem though but unfortunately he has to play along with authority.
SPB was conferred with 2 awards , one from Telugu association and other from Kannada koota of new Zealand.
SPB's big honour was that the Prime Minister was the chief guest at the concert.
SPB was majestic, dazzling, dynamic and full of energy and blast.
He enthralled the audience with some beautiful and spell bounding resonating with audience clapping, numbers from Telugu, Tamil, Hindi & Kannada films.
The other singers were, S.P.Sailaja, Mallikarjun & Gopika Poornima.
Mallikarjun was a good support to SPB and is a good dancer.
Songs performed in order were:-
1) Sangeetha Sahithya - Swathi Kiranam
2) Illaya Nila - Payanagal Mudivudhilai
3) Tere Mere Beech mae - Ek Duje ke Liye
4)Shankaraa Naadasa - Shankarabaranam
5)Andhi Malai - Raaja Paarvai
6)Jothe Jotheyalli - Geetha
7)Sundari kanaal - Dhalapathi
8)Telugu Song( I don't know)
9)O' Maria - Saagar
10)Vedham Anu Anu - Sagara Sangamam
11)Manil Indha Kadhal - Keladi Kanmani
12)Pehla Pehla Pyaar - Hum Aap ke hai kaun
13)Jeeva veenai - Hombisilu
14) first verse of Aayiram Nilavae vaa (Adimai Pen)
15) Mallarae Mownama - Karna(he started this song with Yeh Duniya ke rakhwalae)
16)Engeyum Epodhum - Ninithalai Innikum( He let Mallikarjun start this song and dnace with it , in the middle of the song SPB took over), what a difference, He can just about tower/shadow any singer in the world).
17)Another Telugu song
18) Dhil Deewana - Maine pyaar kiya
19) Balailakka - Shivaji the Boss
20) Wind up Telugu song.
I am going to remember this for Ever, I was lucky indeed.
Down side is the chepest gallery ticket was NZ $50.00(Rs.1500), next is $100 na d the front seat were $250, which included dinner with the stars. I could not afford $250(house rent for a week over here is around $300). Nothing is fai r, it is a lot better these days to live and work in India. Compare the Rs.250 for the SPB meet.
I made up a audio CD of over 25 English songs from the best American singers and gave it to the organiser(Ravindra) to pass it over to SPB in the concert(interval). I do hope he likes my selection. No chance or way to ask him.

All the best
Dominic

Annual Meet with SPB for the year 2007 - 17th Feb 2008

Annual Meet with SPB - 2007 on 17th Feb 2008

Dear SPB Fans,

Here comes one more fine opportunity for me to dwell at great lengths on an SPB event. Last month had its quota in the form of an SPB-Chitra Musical Concert at Chennai and this month we were due for a real treat at Coimbatore, the event being “The Annual Meet with our Legend”. Every one of you knew that preparations were in full swing for the event that graces us once a year. The organizing committee comprising of Ashok, Seshadhri, Covai Ravee, Venkat, Priyamvatha (alias Madhumitha) & the writer of this report under the able guidance of WebMaster Giridhar and support of Mr.Ramesh (a close friend of our SPB based at Coimbatore) embarked on a mission to see that the Annual Meet was made a Grand success. As all of you are aware that this event was organized by the SPB Fans Charitable Foundation. This entity had come into existence during the last annual meet at Bangalore when it was formally launched by our SPB and it had taken some time to get things organized in forming a Committee and assigning specific roles to each member. Roles having been made clear, each member fitted the bill and carried on the tasks, decided and assigned, which finally culminated into a spectacular event on the 17th of February 2008 at Hotel Grand Plaza, Coimbatore between 3:45pm and 6:45pm. A good response from enthusiastic fans kept us all in fine spirits and in great expectations of a fulfilling time that we were to enjoy

Well, let me now go into the details of the event. The Agenda of the Meet as it came out finally is as below
1) Prayer song – by Ashok
2) Welcome Speech - by WebMaster Giridhar
3) Photo Session with SPB coupled with presentation of memento to each participant
4) Video Show of Charity Institutions to which donations were made in the past
5) Video Show of Celebrity Musicians speaking about our Legend
6) Break for Tea / Coffee
7) Donation of Material to Coimbatore Seva Nilayam (an orphanage)
8) Introduction of the Foundation Committee Members
9) Question & Answers Session
10) Memento to SPB
11) Memento to Press Reporters
12) Vote of Thanks by WebMaster Giridhar

As you would notice, two out of the above agenda are focused on Charity. The very purpose of the Foundation is this – to focus on doing something good to the society we live in through the inspirations & learnings we had imbibed from the relationship with the Legend.

As a fitting start to the Event, some of the key members namely Covai Ravee & Venkat took our SPB to the Coimbatore Seva Nilayam, an orphanage for children which was located at 15 minutes drive from the venue of the Meet. Our SPB spent some time there discussing with the Head of the orphanage, an aged veteran lady at 93 years of age and also spending some moments with the children cracking jokes and bringing lovely smiles to their faces and in the process getting photographed with them.

Elsewhere at the venue, Everyone of us were on our toes awaiting eagerly the arrival of our beloved Guruji from the Orphanage as the clock ticked past 3:30pm, the scheduled start time. Finally at 3:45, our SPB entered the venue greeting one and all at the entrance and then moving into the Hall to a standing ovation, finally to take his seat at the far end. One could sense the air filled with unexpressable happiness and joy and thrill at the sight of HIM.

Immediately, Ashok moved to take over the stage and started singing a prayer song with the entire audience standing up.

Once this was over, our WebMaster Giridhar Raja went on to make the Welcome Address. He started off by welcoming our SPB and mentioned that HE had come to the event inspite of his

severe ill-health for the last one week and that showed his attachment to the fans. HE also went further in elaborating the objective of the Meet saying that the prime purpose was to publicise the activities of the SPB Fans Charitable Foundation and gain wider reach among the people so that its goals of serving the society could be realized fully in the near future. He then listed out the activities being conducted by the Foundation namely the charities to social institutions like Orphanages, Old Age Homes and Schools for Special Children, the Blood Donation Camps and the Annual Meets for the Fans to meet with SPB to interact with him and receive his blessings.

This was followed by a Photo session with the Legend. This was planned well, in the sense, that the format was a group of 3 to 4 persons taking photos as a group so that it would save valuable time which could be spent better on interactions with the Great Human Being. Our Guruji
exhibited the humourous side of his personality when he joked at many instances during the photography session. One could find him saying “Here is the man who is fit enough to be my friend”. This was when Ramesh (his close friend based at Coimbatore) and his family came on to the stage to get photographed. The crux was Ramesh resembled our Guruji very much in physical size. This created a ripple of laughter in the audience. The next was when he played around refusing to handover the memento (a multi-purpose handbag with SPB Fans Charitable Foundation printed on it) to one of the children and taking a while to give it. The other one was when a tonsured headed man (my friend who had accompanied me to the Meet) came on for the photo-session he remarked “straight from thirupathi eh!!”. There were many such lovely moments and all this considering his poor health was something extra-ordinary which expressed his love for us fans. The Committee Members of the Foundation also had the privilege of taking a special photograph with HIM.

Pleasantaries having been completed, next was time for some serious business. A video presentation of one Orphanage and one School for Special Children were shown. The orphanage was “Samarpana” and it had the heads of the institution speaking on their activities and the help that the SPB Fans Group had rendered by donating utilities to them in the year 2006. They thanked the Fans for their contributions. Next, we had Dr.Ambika of RASA (A school for Special Children at Abhiramapuram, Chennai) talking about the use of theratrics and Music in dealing with specially challenged children. She went on to say that she had done extensive research on the use of theatrics and music in improving the abilities of the Special Children and it was quite fitting that the SPB Fans Charitable Foundation which is associated with the Music Legend SPB should be helping them in their service to the Society. She thanked the Foundation for its contributions.

Next followed the Video Presentation of the Interviews with Chitra-ji, Tablist Prasad & Shri.Balamurali Krishna.

Chitra-ji appeared quite thrilled speaking about the LEGEND. She had a lot to tell about her happy times with HIM. She said that he was always a very jolly person and whatever tension or seriousness in the atmosphere would be dispelled by him through his enterprising presence. HE ensured that everyone had a good time recording the songs. She also admired the importance HE gave to friendship, Normally one tends to forget old friends on reaching a high stature in life but it was not so with HIM. He always had his old set of friends with him and at every place he visited, he had friends and maintained the relationship over time. This she said was very rare in popular personalities and she envied him for that. She went on to narrate her first meeting with our SPB. It was for first Duet with him for the Tamil Film “Punnagai Mannan”, the song being “kaala kaalamaaga vaazhum kaadhalukku…”.Till then, she had not met him and she arrived at the recording studio a bit late. It seems our SPB was already there, ready with his part of the song and she felt embarrassed that she had been late. She also said that it was SPB who had taught her Telugu and also the methods to beautify a song with delicate touches. One funny incident which she narrated bought out the childish & naughty side of our Guruji. She had gone for a recording of a Telugu song with our SPB. At that time, she had not learnt Telugu. To help her , our Guruji had written down her portion of the lyrics for her and had explained her how to sing it. When the recording started and they started singing, she found that the entire recording team was having a hearty laugh at her part of the rendition. She said she was quite confused at that and she also found SPB turning his face away and also having hearty laugh. This she said, prompted her to look at the lyrics to check if she had sung something wrong. She had found that it was OK and was not sure what was wrong with her singing. Then our SPB excused himself to the entire team. Later she understood that SPB had written words like idiot, fool and so on in her lyrics and she in turn had been singing it seriously thinking it was the original lyrics and that SPB was trying to help her out. Then she had understood the reason for their laughter. She said that she was quite surprised because he had inserted words to match the tune perfectly and one would never have any doubts at all - what a naughty man, our LEGEND. She then went on to tell that at first she was hesitant to agree for the interview as her understanding of a Fans Association was that they would fight whenever some one passed a bad comment on their idol .She said she was relieved to learn that the SPB Fans Foundation was into doing good activities for the society. She ended her part by praying to GOD to give our Guruji lots and lots of good health to continue singing many more good songs in the future also.

Next was Tablist Prasad who had been associated with him right from the early 70s. He said it was always great fun being in a recording with our Legend for they had good times trying to excel each and acknowledged each other very well. One would remember that Shri Prasad was one of the judges in Ennodu Paattu Paadungal program aired on Jaya TV. He went on to list some of the SPB songs for which he had played tabla.

Next was the GREAT and renowned Carnatic singer Shri Bala Murali Krishna. He really touched our hearts when he said that SPB was his KUZHANDHAI (CHILD). He further touched us when he said that their relationship was that of a FATHER & CHILD and he maintained this throughout his talk. He blessed our Guruji abundantly and went on to say that there was nothing that our Guruji could not do. Be it any type of song, he could render it with ease and accomplishment, he said. Be it a romantic song, a pathos song or a boisterous song or one that required Carnatic touches, it was only possible by HIM. He said this was not possible for others. Even though he said it was not right for a FATHER to praise his CHILD, he could not control himself from doing so. HE said that his CHILD’s good health was his own health. He said his CHILD’s accomplishments were his accomplishments. He wanted his CHILD to cut down on his assignments and maintain good health for he was overworking which is not good for one’s health. Right through his speech, he maintained this trend and one got a feeling that this was a real & unique FATHER-CHILD pair. One could also observe that our SPB was really humbled by his FATHER’s words and blessings. He was constantly holding up his hands to the Maestro on the Screen whenever he said the touching words. Once could feel that he must have been happy to hear soothing words from a person he respected so much. Shri Bala Murali Krishna’s words were indeed unique and we should thank Ashok, Seshadri & Madhu for having taken the initiative to get his appointment and record the interview with him for all of us and for our GURUJI who will indeed cherish each word that was said.

A short commercial break was announced by the WebMaster Mr.Giridhar for Tea / Coffee and everyone accompanied the LEGEND to the hall where it was served and they had a jolly time clicking of the cameras and storing his image on mobiles & cameras

When the program resumed, it was time for our LEGEND to handover the samples of utilities like trunk cases, emergency lamps etc…. as a token presentation to the small team from the

Coimbatore Seva Nilayam. All the articles had been pre-delivered to the Seva Nilayam one day in advance by Covai Ravee & Seshadhri and our GURUJI had a look at it during his visit there before the start of the Meet (as detailed before in this write-up).

Next followed the introduction of the Foundation Committee Members - Seshadri, Ashok, Madhumitha & Dasaradhi (the writer of this write-up) to SPB and the gathering. The members received the memento from the LEGEND and in the process were also photographed with him.

To give you a brief about the roles of the Committee Members – Seshadri’s role is event management (concerts, Annual meets....), Ashok’s role is accounts management and coordination, Madhumitha’s role is to maintain & increase membership database and Dasaradhi’s role is Website Maintenance / communication to the Groups / Printing stationeries

What came next was the much awaited Question & Answers session for this was the one which involved the active participation of the Legend and the Fans. I will list some of the unique questions and answers that I am able to recollect (for each question he explained in very great lengths but I am not able to capture everything here as I was just enjoying the feeling being there with him and could not recollect detail by detail – pls excuse me for that – maybe other fans can elaborate on this after reading this article)

FAN QUESTION 1 : Do you think that the present relationship between YOU and the Fans Group has a link to the previous Birth ?
SPB ANSWER 1 : Yes, I think so. Otherwise, how can one explain this phenomenon of so many persons showering their affection and love on me or fans coming over from distant parts of the country - Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore ....... This could not have happened without some carry over from the previous birth. Maybe in the previous birth, we ALL were a part of a big dynasty with a king and maybe I was one of the subjects. This birth, maybe, it has been reversed and I am at the helm with you ALL loving and showing affection.

FAN QUESTION 2: Do you think only singing is your life ?
SPB ANSWER 2 : No, I would not say that. Of course singing forms a major part of my life, no doubt, but that is not all. There are other things in my life like my family, friends etc… who form the other part of my life. Of course singing has given me my income, fame and popularity. Imagine, if I was not a singer, I would have a listless entity. Imagine that I was an office going guy and walking on a road. What would people say. "there goes the DHADIYAN (Fat Man)…” (everyone has a hearty laugh). But being a singer, it is something different. People respect me and have a high regard for me. In fact, my first aim in life was to become an engineer. That is what my father wanted me to be and he had strived all through his life to see that I am one. But the director above (GOD) had written a different screen play for me and here I am, in front of you experiencing all you love and affection

Q3 : When will you perform a carnatic concert ?
A3 : Well, I am not able to understand it. Earlier, due to heavy commitment for recording songs, I could not find time to fit in anything. I thought that after my recording schedules became lighter, I would be able to do something, but somehow, I seem to be filled up with some activity or the other and I am not able to find time

Q4 : You seem to have an excellent control on your Sanskrit diction. How did you acquire it ?
A4 : My father was a Harikatha exponent and I was exposed to lot of Sanskrit phrases even as a child and over the years I have learnt it in addition to Hindi as well. So, whenever lyrics in Sanskrit is given to me, I first understand it fully either by myself or by consulting experts in Sanskrit. This way I ensure that the intention of the lyrics is not diluted. I am not worried if some people are angry with me for saying this – all languages of the world, be it, Persian, Greek or Latin or for that matter any Indian Language as well, had their roots in Sanskrit. You will find that down South, in Tamil, people pronounce the word Sanskrit “SHIVA” as“SIVA” and like that many words are there. Even in one of the Tamil devotional songs on Lord Shiva, you will find that while the chorus sings as “nama sivaya”, I sing it as “nama shivayaa”. One has to understand the roots and handle it accordingly otherwise the originality and the essence is lost. I also find some people distorting Sanskrit phrases. Like “EndharO mahanubhaavulu”. Some sing this as “Endha rO Mahanu Bhaavulu” splitting the words which gives a totally different meaning allotgether

Q5 : You yourself being a Music Director, how do you think the MDs like M.S.Viswanathan, IlayaRaja etc have created a unique identity for themselves
A5 : Well, I will not able to clearly pin point it. But it is the way in which each one handles a raaga. The same raaga are handled differently by different music directors by way of orchestration. (He now sings a few lines of a Rafi’s Hindi number and immediately someone from the gathering shouts “Naushad Ali”). See you are able to identify a Naushad Ali’s composition. Everything is in the orchestration. One would have handled a raaga differently and that would have become popular whereas another music director would have handled it differently and it would not have been popular. Come on now, you all tell me, are you able to identify any of the present day music directors from their songs. It becomes impossible because nowadays everything is a cocktail of something already available. All the sounds are available in the computer and one just jumbles it up differently and makes music leading to lack of identity. There is even pressure from producers and directors to just copy other songs already made. Such is the scene now.

Q6 : You are such a good person, how is that possible (I am not clear if this was the actual question asked but it was something like this)
A6 : (the fan who asked this question stands up and our SPB asks him). How do you say I am a good person. You are just seeing me on the Screens and in this type of meetings only. You do not know anything else about my other activities. Well, to some extent, I agree. Only if someone is good at heart, can he deliver something good as well (this comment earns a round of applause from the fans)

Q7 : What do you think about this SPB Fans Charitable Foundation ?
A7 : I am indeed happy about its activities from whatever, I have seen and heard. But I often wonder why my name is used when the good things are being done by the fans and why should I be a part of all the credits. What have I done to earn all these. I just sing the songs for my income and for my family, that’s all. But my name is used. Since my name has been used for the Foundation, I thought it is not right on my part to be silent and end up someone asking me what is that I have done for this Foundation. That is why I am also contributing something every month to the Foundation (for your information, our Guruji is contributing Rs.10,000 every month to the Foundation Account) and now no one can question me on this. To this, one of the fans Ramesh (SPB’s close friend) stands up to answer “Sir, when we are in trouble or worry and on coming back home, when we listen to your songs we are transported to a different world. Sometimes I cry on listening to your songs (my wife will vouch for that). You have become a part and parcel of our life and so the credit is due to you”. Next another fan Vijayakrishnan stands up “Sir, it was due to your songs that we all fans have come united to perform this noble task. As individuals we would have only contributed say Rs.500 or so and would have stopped with that whereas as part of the Team we have now come together to achieve bigger things which is solely due to your influence on us and hence it is only right that the Foundation has your name also embedded in it”. (One could see that our SPB accepted this argument very well and applauded by clapping his hands - and from now onwards, he will never have any doubts as to the use of his name for the Foudation).

Q8 : Why are you not singing much songs these days. Is it by design or otherwise ?
A8 : I think it is high time that I stop being too humble. I have come to a stage where I can now express the reality. Well, those days in the 70s and 80s, songs would wait for me to be recorded and music directors waited for me even for months. Having ruled for nearly 25 years, it is only right that the scenario changes. For the past ten years I have been recording less number of songs because the trend has been to use many different singers and it is also good that others get the opportunity also. Moreover, going by the quality of songs that is being composed today, I do not regret for the lesser number of songs. Even one of the fans Vikas Kamble from Mumbai had asked me once why I was not singing in Hindi these days. The frank reply to that would be that I am not being called anymore. At one point many years back, there was a vaccum in the Hindi Industry after the demise of Rafi-saab and fading of Kishore-ji, when the music directors there thought that I could fill up the vaacum left by these Legends and hence for 10 to 15 years I was recording lot of Hindi songs. But in the last decade or so, new singers who are quite good have emerged in the Hindi scene and it is only natural that they are given the first preference over me. But if I am called any day I would only be happy to render songs in Hindi. But in spite of all these, I am happy that I still record at least one song per day whatever be the language

Q9 : On a given day, how do you manage your singing when your actual state of emotions is one and the song you are to render requires a totally different state of emotion ?
A9 : Well, I do not know how I do it. It's a gift from God. But finally I think, as professionals that is what is expected of us. It is something like leaving your chappals outside the temple when you are entering it. Likewise, when I enter a recording theatre, I leave my natural emotions outside and I go in without it and adapt myself to the emotions that are required for the song. Imagine the other way around. If on a given day, I have rendered a pathos song and I go home in the evening, I cannot ask my wife to serve me good in a sad tone (he acts out the scene with a change in voice modulation – what a great modulator HE is). It would sound funny and inappropriate. Of course, on some days, you feel totally out, in which case, it is better to cancel the recording and have it on another day. But that rarely happens with me. But, I understand that Hindi singers like Mukesh used to delay their recording if they were not in a mood on a given day.

Q10 : (not able to remember the question)
A10 : Well, the difference between other singers and me, I think it is high time that I was more frank with it. While the other singers sing a song as a song, I act according to the required emotion when I sing a song. That helped in livening up the songs.

(Well, I feel exhausted now trying to think of all the other questions. I stop now on this – but I am sure that I have covered the most interesting and critical part of the session)

The Question & Answer session was followed by the presentation of a Memento to our Guruji by the Committee Members on behalf of the Fans. The memento was a tall Sandal wood article and resembled the Ashoka Pillar with several lion heads at the top. Our Guruji seemed to be impressed with it and expressed that it symbolized unity. One of the Members Venkat had made ready a Jumbo Greeting Card with some inscriptions on it. One could see our Guruji reading it attentively.

The Press Reporters from the dailies Dinamalar, Dinakaran etc….. were also honoured with presentation of memento by the Legend.

Finally, the WebMaster Giridhar came out with the Vote of Thanks. He said that even though he was not well, the Legend has taken upon himself to see that he was there at the event without

disappointing the fans and participating in the meet enthusiastically. The WebMaster called this a family Meet rather than otherwise. He thanked all the Committee Members, the Press Reporters, Covai Ravee and Ramesh for their contributions in making this event a grand success.
It was quite appropriate that he mentioned all of us a family. Let us all maintain the spirits of a family and take the Foundation to greater heights. My humble request to you at this juncture would be to form a group of fans in your city/town of residence and enroll as many members into the Foundation so that we can do many more contributions to the society that we live in. Royan of Bangalore has already set the wheel rolling in Bangalore and those in Andhra, Kerala and other parts of Hindi should also take lead and expand the Web of the Foundation.

In fact, I am happy to inform you ALL that the response of the Fans after the Meet was encouraging and some of the Fans came forward in registering themselves as Members of the Foundation and many others took the Registration Forms for enrollment later. There were also cash contributions from many fans at the Meet. This is in addition to some fans who had already sent in their contributions to the Foundation Account before the Meet. We thank all those fans who had contributed.

I end now with the information that our SPB announced that the next Annual Meet should be in Hyderabad. So, Hyderabad Fans, please gear up for the event from now onwards and form a group to plan for the event and keep us posted.

For your info, DVDs of the Annual Meets 2004, 2005 & 2006 was put up for sale at the Meet and there were good number of Fans who had purchased it by paying Rs.450. The proceeds of this sale would go to the Foundation Account. Those of you who are interested in purchasing the DVD, please send in your requirements to Ashok at rashok@hcl.in or talk to him on 09840888410 (OR) Seshadhri at seshadhri_s@yahoo.com or talk to him on 09884924987

Thanks & Wishes to you all. Bye, for now

Please visit http://www.spbindia.com/SPB_Fans_Charitable.aspx to learn more about the activities of the SPB Fans Charitable Foundation. Become a part of the Foundation and contribute to its activities

Dasaradhi