Legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam can't be fit into the mould only as a playback singer. Why he has been called as a phenomenon? The answer lies in the obituary paid by the entire nation, it's because he touched and lived as whatever he did. As Superstar Rajinikanth told in his tribute message, the genius singer stood exceptional from any other singers and offered the musical world with some of the perennial songs through with his pleasant and heavenly voice. 

In his five decades-long career, SPB had touched millions of lives by being a multi-lingual singer. He has sung over 40,000 songs in 16 languages and for those who know him only as a singer, he's leaving behind his legacy which wasn't packed with songs but with versatility as apart from singing, he has etched his contribution in acting, and in composing music. 

SPB was a miracle who ruled his life and musical world in all the tracks including devotional, classic, melody, and romance. His voice had strengthened and elevated many actors throughout his career. From MGR, Salman Khan, Rajini, to Kamal, his voice had dominated the screens as the fans and audiences enjoyed as if their favorite actors were singing. He won the hearts of millions, became a precious asset, and earned a place in every household. 

SP Balasubrahmanyam has recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 languages and such a huge number would be unrealistic and achieving the feat had shown his commitment towards what does. The singer was accoladed with Guinness record, Padma awards, and several national awards for singing 40,000 songs. While he was reputedly known as a singer, SPB had the lesser known face which the larger masses wouldn't know - his face as a music director. 

SPB has worked with many music directors throughout his career including MS Viswanathan, Illayaraja, AR Rahman, Vidhyasagar, Yuvan Shankar Raja, and Anirudh. When Isaignani Illayaraja was at the peak, SPB had also stretched his hands towards keyboards from microphones as the music director, and during his career, he had composed music for nearly 40 movies. 

He had composed music and sung in Sridhar directorial 'Thudikkum Karangal' acted by Superstar Rajinikanth, which was released in 1983. He also has composed music and acted in 'Sigaram', directed by Ananthu and produced by Kavithalayaa. The movie was released in 1991 and as a musician, it was one of the milestone movies in his career. Some of the songs like 'Vannam Konda Vennilave', 'Unnai Kanda Pinpu', 'Agaram Ippo', and 'Itho Itho En Pallavi', have won a major reception and a tagline of ever-lasting songs. 

SPB had also composed music for the movie 'Unnai Charanadaindhen' through which Samuthirakani had made his debut as a director. The movie was produced by SP Charan and released in 2003. However, his stint as the music director was lesser known as he has been prefixed as a singer which took him to other South Indian languages. Being celebrated as one of the precious assets to the current and future generations, SP Balasubrahmanyam had passed away on Friday at the age of 74 in Chennai due to health complications and lung-related ailments that he developed after testing positive for the COVID-19 viral infection.