Like Kishor Kumar, the Mega Super Singer Legend, S P Balasubramaniam didn’t have formal training in classical music, (which is conventionally believed as an essential qualification for any career in the profession of music), as a very young singer in the beginning of his career, although later catapulted as a mega national singer.
He loved music as much as one would love his/her mother.
He was studying for Engineering (AMIE) in then Madras.
Before going there, from his native place, he used to take part in singing programs and also had got a chance for the role as a playback singer in a Telugu movie; only after eagerly waiting for a long time, with great anticipation.
Also he, fondly called as Bala, by most of his friends and relatives, got a chance to take part in a music competition in then Madras, as he happened to see one of his acquaintance called Bharani.
After going to Madras, from Andhra, his native State, he didn’t know Tamil, the language of that State, properly, naturally; neither did he know the various localities in the mega city!
So, Bharani, his old friend, took Balu, to a Music Director, called Sreedhar, even though Balu was almost a stranger, without even not able to speak or read the language of the place he chose as his spring board to fame, Bharani took the leap of introducing him to Sreedhar; and also told that,
“Balu is a very shy guy, but inspite of the problem, he sings exceptionally well”!
Thus somehow he succeeded in convincing the Music Director, quite well.
Then Sreedhar said, “okay, let me listen to him sing a song”!
As pat came the reply, Balu sang a song, quite nicely, and it appeared, Sreedhar liked it.
Balu was asked to go to his office/recording studio, “Chitrhalaya, the very next day itself, to meet Mr M S Vishwanathan, a well known Music Director.
Over this green signal, Balu naturally felt very Jubilant!
So, the next day, Balu went to the Chitralaya office of Mr Sreedhar.
To his amazement, he saw there, many musical instruments, Tablists etc and in the middle of all that, was the Music Director, M S Vishwanathan, adorned with a thick layer of Vibhooti over his forehead!
Although Balu had the initial experience as a beginner, as he had got a chance, as mentioned earlier, in a Telugu film, produced by his known people, this was the first time, he happened to see this large a gathering of musical instruments etc!
Balu humbly sat in a corner over there, watching artists preparing for a song to be recorded.
By then, Sreedhar came in and introduced Balu to Mr M S Vishwanathan.
While pulling a Harmonium towards him, MSV asked, “could you sing a Tamil song?”
This question created a bit panicky situation for Balu and he replied to the Music Director,
“Sir, it’s only a few days, after I came to Madras, hence I haven’t yet learnt Tamil; not even brought a Tamil song book, with me!
As soon as Balu said this, MSV ordered for a song book, one of his troupe members took out one, and gave it to MSV.
The book was of the famous film, “Kaatalikka neramille”.
Turning the pages of the book, he selected a song, “Naalaam, Naalaam, thirunaalaam”, and asked Balu to sing it!
As a panicky Balu was just trying to read the lyrics, first of all, he, by God’s grace, got someone to translate it from Tamil to his own mother tongue Telugu!
As MSV pressed the harmonium keys, Balu began singing, “Naalaam Naalaam…..”!
Although MSV liked Balu’s voice, very much, he felt his pronunciation of Tamil words etc was not proper!
MSV: “Can you sing with better quality in clarity, of Tamil words?”
“Anyway, I liked your voice, very much”!
Though Balu’s self confidence further boosted towards his ambition to be a well placed play back singer, the language issue put him in trouble!
So, the Music Director advised Balu, to come again, after learning Tamil quite well.
Though Balu returned from there, after thanking MSV Sir with folded hands, he was not quite sure, as to whether he would be able to test his luck in Tamil!
(NEXT, PART-2, will follow)
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