‘I STILL BELIEVE I AM THE BEST’

Age has caught up with his body, but his voice is ageless. He now sports a beard, but renowned Indian singer S P Balasubramaniam feels too young to be 58.

By Ambily Madhu Menon (Contributor)

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Published: Sat 5 Feb 2005, 1:47 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 6:10 PM

After mesmerising an entire generation of listeners with his magical voice, Balu or SPB, as he is fondly called, is moaning the loss of those discerning ears. He performed at the Deccan Dream 2005 show on Friday evening along with other prominent singers from south India, Jayachandran and Sujatha. SPB spent a few moments with City Times and talked about his past experiences, his present commitments and life in general.

It’s been some time since we've heard you in Hindi movies. Why has there been this long pause?

Yes, it’s been quite some time. As for the pause, this is a question you should ask the givers not the takers. I ruled the roost for almost 12 years because there was a void in the Hindi film industry. Now they have very good singers available locally. There is no need for them to call someone all the way from Chennai.

I am not the only one. There are other good singers too who suffer the same fate. Suresh Wadkar for example. But, I have no qualms. It has to happen. There is a huge group of upcoming talent. If they have to get an opportunity, we will have to make do with lesser assignments.

You have sung in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya and so on. Can you speak these languages well?

Most of them. I speak Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Kannada. I can understand Malayalam.

What is the homework you do before you sing in a language alien to you?

It’s not a question of homework; it’s about how sincere you are to the language. I try and pick up the style of speaking a particular language by observing those who speak that tongue. And maybe south Indians have that knack of picking up languages.

Then what is the language of singing?

Music. (Laughs)

You are a multi-faceted personality. You sing, compose and even act. What is that one achievement in your life so far that hasn’t been surpassed by anything else?

I haven't achieved anything so far. But people say I have remained down-to-earth even after all this success. If they think that I am still humane, I consider that an achievement.

At any point in your career did you regret not having formally trained in music?

Yes, I regret it so many times. There have been instances when I felt that I would not be able to do justice to the song and have backed out.

Did you ever want to do anything else apart from singing?

Actually, singing was never on my agenda. My goal was to become a mechanical engineer, wear the uniform, move around in a jeep wearing a cap and earn 500 bucks every month. But it didn't happen. Sometimes there have been very painful moments when I thought, I deserved an award for a particular song, but I didn't. I’m happy as long as people appreciate me for my work.

There is an element of playfulness in many of your songs. Is it a reflection of your personality or the character you are singing for?

Must be a reflection of my personality. I pour my heart into a song. Basically I have an actor within me. I act with my vocal cords.

I never think I am 58. I still think I am in my 30s.

You have been considered as the singing voice of Salman Khan. Do you think any other actor expresses your voice better on screen than him?

I don’t think ours was the best combination. Unfortunately there are only a few of them who portrayed my voice well on screen. But let me not name those who spoiled it too.

Do you think singing for today’s Hindi film songs is challenging, because most people complain about a dip in quality of songs?

It is not challenging because the quality of music in general has come down. If given a chance, I can sing 20 songs in a day in Mumbai.

Who is to be blamed for this?

Everyone. People who know the job should do the job. Most of time, people with mediocre abilities come together; the end result will obviously be mediocre.

You probably have sung more songs than anybody else around. What motivates you to keep singing?

Firstly, necessity; I am still in need of money. Secondly, the confidence on my vocal cords; I still feel I am the best and I wish to show it to show the world.

As a professional and as a person what is your assessment of S P Balasubramaniam?

A very good singer and very good human being.


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