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S. P Balasubramaniam: Singing sensation

Source: Interview in Udayavani, Karnataka's Daily
http://199.74.239.15/udayavani/features.asp?news=1&contentid=38764&lang=1&cat_id=426

Music is divine no doubt. But the voice that brings the seven notes to life plays a major role in demarcating the ordinary from the ethereal. SP’s voice belongs to this genre. Our interview of the week presents the singer in full form.

Profile
S. P Balasubramaniam well known in the field of film music over three decades was born on June 4, 1946 in a village called Konetammapeta, Andhra Pradesh. In the year 1996 while doing his ITI in Engineering he used to sing in Orchestra held at neighbouring Nellore. On one occasion P Kodandapani, Music Director of Telugu was impressed by SP’s singing provided him opportunity to sing for the first time in Telugu film `Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramann’ which was a turning point in his life and later offers poured in from all the languages.

Balu’s biggest ever break came with the MGR-starrer `Adimai Penn’ which had music by K V Mahadevan. Music Director M Ranga Rao by providing an opportunity to sing in his film Nakkare Aade Swarga introduced him to Kannada film industry.

In 1980 he bagged the National Award for `Shankarabharanam’, semi classical movie in Telugu. Later he received number of awards in other languages.

Balu’s wish to become a music director was fullfilled when Dasari Narayana Rao gave him a break as composer in `Kanya-Kumari’. Since then, he has composed the music for about 50 films in Telugu. Balu has also recorded the background score for a Kannada film `Sambandha’ which had no songs. He achieved success as a director to some extent by directing music for films in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

He has entered the Guiness Book of Records for recording 19 songs at a stretch in a day without any trace of exhaustion. And much before Shankar Mahadevan. he rendered a song in one breath in the Tamil film `Keladi Kanmani’.

Balu has accompanied Latha Mangeshkar in her live shows in the US and UK, He had the rare distinction of meeting the US President Bill Clinton along with Lathaji at the White House.

Balu has built `Kodandapani Audio Laboratories’ in his mentor’s name in Chennai. It is one of the most modern sound recording theatres in the country, Balu calls it his dream temple. Singing is a passion for this veteran and nobody can do it better. He is also very passionate about cricket and is a keen watcher of the game as and when time permits him to do so. He is happily married to Savithri with two children Pallavi and Charan.

You sing in various languages, which is the one you enjoy the most?

I have a liking for all languages. According to me it is difficult to sing in a particular language till you know that language properly. If one knows the language then he enjoys singing a song in that language. I like melody in music. Language is not a problem, lyrics should be good that is the important thing.

You have made a good name in Tamil movies but have not made much name in the Malyalam films why is it so ?

As I said earlier the problem is language. I do not know Malyalam. Jesudas is the number one singer in Malyalam. Even though I do get a chance it is very rarely because there are lot of singers in Malyalam and Jesudas enjoys the position. If I get an opportunity I will definitely sing but I will not compete for it. I have not made an effort to learn Malyalam because I was busy with other languages like Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.

From beginning you have involved yourself in composing music for films. Why didn’t you continue ?

Yes, but nobody gives me a chance for it. In the beginning chances were plenty. Now I have understood why they don’t give me a chance because I am not equipped to give the kind of music this generation is looking for. I always pressurize my producer and director for melodious music. I am against remixing. But today’s generation seem to enjoy this music.

You have earned a lot of name and fame in this field, what about your children. Do you have any plans of getting them to this field ?

I have not planned anything My daughter is married and settled down. But A R Rehman thought she can sing and provided her lot of opportunities to sing. Besides this she did not have any special interest. My son Charan has done his Business Management in America. I did not know that he was interested in music. He has sung for many Tamil, Telugu and some Kannada films. He is now learning music with interest. I can only encourage him. He has already given lot of programmes in the South and has done some albums. We should wait and see what happens later.

You have acted in many films, didn’t this effect your musical profession?

Definitely not, because every singer is an actor. Singing in front of the microphone involves a bit of acting. Singing is a lot difficult than acting because we should understand the sequence and sing accordingly. Acting is a hobby for me. I am not a talented actor. I am involved in acting just for a change because I am involved in the field of singing for the past 35 years. I was provided the opportunity to act in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil. This is only a hobby.

You are a unique singer because you sing according to the voice of the actor how is this possible ?

I do not sing to suit the actor’s voice. I only match the style of the actor and not the voice. But for a comedian I change my voice a bit while singing. I sing in the same voice for Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Amrish and also the new actors like Ravichandran and Upendra. I think it is God given talent to me.

Which field do you love more acting or singing ?

I love singing more than anything else. Acting is only a hobby.

Who is your favourite singer and actor in the film industry ?

Mohammed Rafi is my favourite singer. I like his voice and style of singing. I am a great fan of his. Favourite female singer is Lata Mangeshkar obviously. But in the South it is Janaki. Actors, there are a long list and I cannot name one person.

What is your opinion on the film industry ?

It is an industry which feeds us. It is like our dear mother. But everything changes according to time. There is lot of difference between films of today and 10 years back films.

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