Main Image via The Federal
Recently we witnessed an emotional video uploaded by the maestro Ilayaraja, urging his longtime friend, SP Balasubrahmanyam to recover soon and walk out of the hospital…even going so far as to recall his long association with the legendary singer.
We have heard amazing songs from the duo, but beyond the music…who are Ilayaraja and SPB? This tale of friendship started 5 decades ago.
Ilayaraja and SPB in their early days did a number of live concerts before he got opportunities to compose music for films. SPB left Andhra Pradesh, India for Chennai despite having an Engineering degree to pursue his passion for music. He was the lead singer at Ilayaraja’s live music events, with Ilayaraja and his brothers providing orchestral support.
Ilayaraja and his brothers along SPB would barely earn 200 Indian rupees a day, and on days without any film music recordings, where they would sleep hungry, unable to afford food.
Little did they know that their combo would change the way music would be made and heard in India, and later around the world.
In early films of Ilayaraja, the voice of SPB could not be heard. SPB happened to bump into Ilayaraja, and said, “I am a singer too. Why are aren’t you calling me for recordings.”
“I warned you not to fall sick. Anyway, come in tomorrow morning, and we will have a song recorded”, responded Ilayaraja.
Thus began a long association between Ilayaraja and SPB, spanning over 2,000 songs in various languages, changing the music world forever.
Ilayaraja moved away from the iconic singers TM Sounderarajan and P Susheela, to SPB and S Janaki, to suit then rising stars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. A new wave of musical hits swept India. The Raja-SPB combo in Guru, Meendum Kokila, Rajaparvai, Sakalakalavallavan, Ullaasa Paravaigal, Vettri Vizha, Salangai Oli and Sippikul Muthu among many others worked wonders for Kamal Haasan starrers.
We wish the legendary singer a speedy recovery and hope to see more amazing songs from the combo…may the Ilaiyaraja and SPB friendship last beyond time!
Written by Thineshkan
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