SPB forever

Been on my mind for a long while since the news of SPB’s demise came in. If I’ve to prepare a playlist for the songs sung by the big man, these would be on that list for sure, in no specific order. Of the several thousands just picking those that came immediately on top of my mind.

“Ilaya Nila pozhigirathu” – guess without this song, no playlist for SPB would be complete. Any person with a guitar, if they hadn’t tried that interlude on this song, are not worth owning a guitar. Dot.

“Omkaara naadhaanu” – Shankarabaranam is a movie that I will remember only as a audio cassette. Have never seen the movie many times but would’ve listened to the songs at least a couple of 100 times each. His best effort, possibly nascent, in semi-Carnatic song rendition

“Karpoora bommai ondru” – The lady version of this song is more like a lullaby while SPB’s version doesn’t have any instrument accompanying the rendition. I tear up every time I hear his version which is so soulful and gut wrenching that this is one song I love not to hear but keep playing on my mind. Amazing how he manages to evoke such a strong emotion just with his voice modulation.

“Gnaayiru (Sunday) enbathu kannaaga” – The original was sung by TMS and this is not an actual song, but more of a conversation between dad (SPB) and son (Prabudeva) in a scene from Kadhalan movie. He would ask his son to take a drink along with him to forget his sorrows. The clarity in his voice and the situation where he sings that song for his son, barring no instruments again, was such an impactful scene on theater that people literally stood up and clapped. The movie industry didn’t quite make use of the performer in him is a sad truth. 

“Idho idho en Pallavi” – of all his compositions which he made, this is my all-time favorite. A very simple yet hummable tune with some wonderful lyrics. When he goes “Nee keerthanai..naan praarthanai”..well. How can one explain bliss unless experienced!! Do listen to the song to enjoy the master at his best.   

“Vannam konda vennilave” – guess both the previous one and this are from same movie – “Sigaram”. Of all his “Nila” songs, this is my favorite. Again, amply supported by the tune and rich lyrics.

“Kaadhal rojave” – crowd favorite song. No one can bring the sadness in his voice without tampering with the rendition as cool as SPB. He had once said in an interview that singers should never get into the emotional aspect of the song or lyrics in their mind and it should only reflect on the voice. If it hits their mind/heart, they will loose control of their voice. Truer words have never been spoken before.

“Dil Deewaana” – When I heard it for the first time, was wondering who is this guy who sounds so much like SPB!! Never realized it was the big man himself who had sung it for Salman. Even though the stoutness of his voice never matched with the matchstick frame of Salman (erstwhile version not the present Botox fueled build) most of the songs where blockbuster hits. Especially the hindi version of “I just called to say I love you”. 

“Ilamai idho idho” – if you don’t hear this song, then it is not new year. What an energy and enthusiasm!! It seems every time you hear the song, it feels as if it is sung afresh. Till now there is no New year song to unseat this rendition is credit to its performance.

“Naan pogiren mele mele” – this song from Naanayam which incidentally is a movie produced by SPB, is such a fantastic rendition that it was love at first hear for me!! I caught the song midway or almost towards the end on a radio and could only hear the “Naa na na naana naana” by SPB. That was enough to get me hooked on to it and after frantic search landed up with the full version and it was such a treat that the song has settled permanently on playlist.

“Haiaio nenju alayudhadi” – this song from “Aadukalam” is testament to the great man’s adaptability to composers across generations. GV Prakash would’ve played riot with the tune, taking it high and low for every alternate word on the song and it would go fuzzy as if some drunkard/punch drunk with love is singing. Along with his son (SPB charan) whose voice was added to the song without SPB’s permission, that song would be a riot of a performance. 

Ippothaiku ivlothaan. Else, this list would run the risk of going forever.