There was a phase in my childhood when I would just be singing one song throughout the day. I had memorized the entire lyrics as well. Sach Mere Yar Hai from the movie ‘Saagar’ was my anthem for the larger part of the years 1985 - 1986. And that’s how my love affair with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam’s voice and singing started.

Today, the man is gone and the heart bleeds with sadness. It seems like I have lost an old friend and I think the entire country is going through the same emotion. But, then we will always have his songs to go back to, make us feel better. So, here I am, listing the high points of my love affair with Balu Sir.

Sach Mere Yaar Hai (Saagar – RD Burman)

RDB’s brilliant album had SPB doing songs for Kamal Haasan’s character. A soulful melody with an amazing cadence. Beautifully written as well. And the start of an affair of a lifetime, for me.

Aaja Meri Jaan (RD Burman)

A lovely re-hash and mix of two old RDB melodies. A complex composition rendered super smoothly by the master singer. Anuradha Paudwal joins in as the female lead in this duet.

Saathiya Ye Toone Kya Kiya (Love – Anand Milind)

One of the many beautiful duets between SPB and Chitra. Anand Milind shamelessly lifted Ilaiyaraja’s melody (again one of the many). The la-la-la-la-la part is legendary and very difficult to emulate.

Aate Jaate (Maine Pyar Kiya – Ram Laxman)

Lifted straight but artfully from Stevie Wonder’s I Just Called To Say (I Love You), this is a duet with the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, sung with a lot pf poise.

Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan (Roja – AR Rahman)

AR Rahman’s breakthrough debut that changed the grammar of Indian film music forever. Here SPB and Chitra’s singing is making love to each other.

Hum Na Samjhe The (Gardish – RD Burman)

One of the later day RDB compositions. The song has the pathos of a broken man, brought to life masterfully by SPB.

Nilave Va (Mouna Raagam - Ilaiyaraja)

Composed by the ‘maestro’ Ilaiyaraja, this is in my list of the most melodious songs ever made. I don’t understand the lyrics, but I get the inherent sadness inside it because of the melody and intense singing.

Valai Osai Kala Kala (Sathya)

Talk about having fun while singing a with lovely cadence. SPB and Lata Mangeshkar seem to be having fun like two kids playing together in a park. Ilaiyaraja, as always is in top form.

Sundari (Thalapathi - Ilaiyaraja)

An ethereal duet with S Janaki, composed by the ‘maestro’.  Everything about this song is magical, including the way it has been picturized.

Enkaadhale (Duet – AR Rahman)

This one is a beautiful and delicate duet with saxophone. One of the several brilliant collaboration between ARR and SPB.

SPB was a great fan of Mohd. Rafi and always talked about the influence of Rafi’s magical voice on his singing. On one occasion he talked about how his wife has banned him from listening to the songs of Rafi as he would start crying uncontrollably, mesmerized by their sheer quality. To me, SPB, with his mellifluous voice and impeccable singing (with the right emotions), was the perfect successor to Rafi. No one has ever been so close to Rafi.

Travel well, Balu Sir.

By Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai / Hyderabad based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 31 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com