S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.

ఎస్. పి. బాలసుబ్రహ్మణ్యం

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — Actor

Born 4 Jun 1946 Konetampet, India

Died 25 Sep 2020 Chennai, India

Citizenship India

Would Be 80 yr If Living

7 min read

Reading time

1,317

Words

Jun 27, 2026

Published

45

Film credits

7

Awards

TL;DR

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, who recorded 28 songs in Kannada in a single day on February 8, 1981, is believed to have sung over 50,000 songs across 16 languages. He was a prolific playback singer and also acted in films. He received multiple honors including the Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2011.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name ఎస్. పి. బాలసుబ్రహ్మణ్యం

Nicknames Gaana Gandharvudu, Paadu Nila, SPB

Aliases Nagoor Babu, Balarsubramaniam, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Balasubramaniam, S.P. Balasubramanium, S.P. Balasubramaniyam, S.P. Balasubramanyam, Balasubrahmanyam S.P., Balasubramaniyam S.P., S.P. Bala Subrahmanyam, Bal Subramaniam, S.P. Bala Subramaniam, S.P. Subramaniam, Balu Subramanium, S.P.Bala Subramanyam, Bal Subramonium

Parents: Sripati Panditaradhyula Sambamurthy
Spouses: Savitri S.
Children: S. P. B. Charan
Siblings: S. P. Sailaja

At a glance.

STATS

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam by the numbers — life, work, and family.

74 Years lived

45 Film credits

7 Awards

1 Marriage

1 Child

Who was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam?

BIOGRAPHY

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was born on June 4, 1946 in Konetampet, a village in present-day Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. His father, Sripati Panditaradhyula Sambamurthy, was a musician. He studied at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, where his interest in music deepened. Growing up in a Telugu-speaking household, he was exposed to diverse musical traditions that shaped his future career.

Career

Balasubrahmanyam’s career breakthrough came in 1966 when he sang for the Telugu film Sree Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. He quickly became a sought-after playback singer across South Indian languages. On February 8, 1981, he set a record by recording 28 songs in Kannada, 19 in Tamil, and 16 in Hindi in a single day. He also acted in films like Kaadhalan 1994 and Boys 2003. His awards include the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and the Padma Shri in 2001.

Personal life

Balasubrahmanyam married Savitri S., and they had one son, S. P. B. Charan, who also became a playback singer. His sister, S. P. Sailaja, is a noted playback singer. He was related to director K. Viswanath and actor Subhalekha Sudhakar. He maintained a close bond with his family despite his busy career.

Legacy

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam’s legacy includes a Guinness World Record for the most songs recorded by a single singer, with over 50,000 songs in 16 languages. He inspired generations of singers and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2011 and the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. He is remembered for his unparalleled vocal range and ability to sing in multiple languages.

Filmography.

FILMS · 45

The complete filmography of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Weekend with Ramesh

2014

Movie

Kaadhalan

1994

Movie

Boys

2003

Movie

Shakti

2011

Movie

Indra

2002

Movie

Avvai Shanmugi

1996

Movie

Kathanayakudu

2008

Movie

Thiruda Thiruda

1993

Movie

Minsara Kanavu

1997

Movie

Priyamaanavale

2000

Movie

Devadas

2018

Movie

Gunaa

1991

Movie

Devullu

2000

Movie

Aditya 369

1991

Showing 14 of 45 View all 45 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 7

Every award, honor, and recognition received by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Padma Bhushan
Padma Shri in arts
National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
Nandi Award
Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
Padma Vibhushan

Did you know?

FACTS · 8

Little-known facts about S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He was awarded Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1981.
His elder sister is playback singer Sailaja S.P., and he was related to director K. Viswanath.
An Honorary Doctorate was received from Potti Sriramulu University, Andhra Pradesh in 1999.
The Padma Shri award was conferred on him by the Government of India in 2001.
Sathyabama University, Chennai awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 2009.
Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh conferred Kalaprapoorna Honorary Doctorate on him in 2009.
JNTU, Ananthapur awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 2010.
The Padma Bhushan was awarded by Government of India in 2011.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 34

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.

When was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam born?

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was born on June 4, 1946. He was born in Konetampet, a village in what was then Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, now part of Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.
Where was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam born?

He was born in Konetampet, located in Pallipattu, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh now Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, India. This region influenced his early exposure to Telugu and Tamil cultures.
When did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam die?

He died on September 25, 2020 at the age of 74. His death occurred in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
How old was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam when he died?

He was 74 years old at the time of his death, having been born in 1946 and passing in 2020.
Where did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam die?

He died in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He had been hospitalized there due to COVID-19 complications.
How did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam die?

He died from complications due to COVID-19. He was hospitalized in August 2020 and succumbed to the illness in September.
What is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's full native name?

His native name in Telugu script is ఎస్. పి. బాలసుబ్రహ్మణ్యం. He was also known as Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam.
What was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's occupation?

He was primarily a recording artist and playback singer, but also worked as music crew and an actor in Indian films.
What is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's nationality?

He was Indian. He held citizenship in India and worked in various Indian film industries.
What languages did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam speak?

His native language was Telugu, but he sang in 16 languages overall, including Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and others.
Who were S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's parents?

His father was Sripati Panditaradhyula Sambamurthy. His mother’s name is not listed in the source, but his father was a musician.
Who was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's spouse?

He was married to Savitri S. The couple had one son, S. P. B. Charan.
Did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam have children?

Yes, he had one son named S. P. B. Charan, who is also a playback singer and songwriter.
Did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam have siblings?

Yes, he had a sister named S. P. Sailaja, who is a playback singer. He also had a brother-in-law actor Subhalekha Sudhakar.
Where did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam study?

He studied at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, where he received an honorary doctorate later.
What awards did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam win?

He won numerous awards including Padma Shri 2001, Padma Bhushan 2011, Padma Vibhushan posthumous, National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, Nandi Award, Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer, and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.
What is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam best known for?

He is best known for his playback singing in Indian films, particularly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. He sang over 50,000 songs and held a Guinness World Record for the most songs recorded by a singer.
What is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's Instagram handle?

His official Instagram handle is @ispbofficial, where fans can see updates and memories.
What were S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's nicknames?

He was affectionately called Gaana Gandharvudu Music God, Paadu Nila, and SPB by fans and colleagues.
Why was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam called Gaana Gandharvudu?

Gaana Gandharvudu translates to Music God in Telugu. This nickname reflects his divine vocal talent and immense contribution to Indian music.
Did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam use any aliases?

Yes, he used aliases like Nagoor Babu, Bal Subramaniam, and S.P. Bala Subrahmanyam for various language films and contexts.
How many songs did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam record?

He recorded over 50,000 songs in 16 languages, a feat that earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.
What was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's record for singing in one day?

On February 8, 1981, he recorded 28 songs in Kannada, plus 19 in Tamil and 16 in Hindi—a total of 63 songs in a single day, a world record.
What movies did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam act in?

He acted in films like Kaadhalan 1994, Boys 2003, Shakti 2011, and Minsara Kanavu 1997, often playing supporting roles or cameos.
Did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam win any honorary doctorates?

Yes, he received honorary doctorates from Potti Sriramulu University 1999, Sathyabama University 2009, Andhra University 2009, and JNTU, Ananthapur 2010.
What was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's relationship with K. Viswanath?

He was related to director K. Viswanath, who often collaborated with him in Telugu films.
How did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam contribute to multiple languages?

He sang in 16 languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and others, adapting his diction to each language perfectly.
What is S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's legacy in Indian music?

His legacy includes being one of the most versatile playback singers, with a record of over 50,000 songs. He inspired countless singers and received India’s highest civilian honors.
When did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam receive the Padma Shri?

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 by the Government of India for his contributions to the arts.
When did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam receive the Padma Bhushan?

He received the Padma Bhushan in 2011, India’s third-highest civilian award.
What was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's role in Kaadhalan?

In the 1994 Tamil film Kaadhalan, he played the character Kathiresan, a supporting role.
Did S.P. Balasubrahmanyam appear in Boys?

Yes, in the 2003 Tamil film Boys, he played a cameo as himself hosting a music award show.
What was the cause of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's death?

He passed away due to complications from COVID-19 after being hospitalized in Chennai in August 2020.
Who is S. P. B. Charan?

S. P. B. Charan is the son of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, also a playback singer and lyricist in the Tamil and Telugu film industries.

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Published on June 27, 2026

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