SP Balasubrahmanyam, also known as SPB, is a name that reigns supreme in the Indian music industry. Born on June 4, 1946, in a small village in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, SP Balasubrahmanyam became one of the biggest names who sang more than 40,000 songs. Throughout SPB’s glorious career, he has sung songs in more than 16 languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. He has delivered numerous superhit songs, and his mellifluous voice and soulful renditions have won him numerous accolades.

On SP Balasubrahmanyam’s 78th birth anniversary, let’s look at some of his soulful melodies that struck a chord with listeners of all generations.

Unforgettable SP Balasubrahmanyam: A Playlist of His 12 Iconic Songs

1. Omkara Nadanu
   The legendary actor received his first National Film Award for his rendition of Omkara Nadanu in the 1980 Telugu film, Sankarabharanam. The song won hearts nationwide and showcased his exceptional vocal prowess, the singer’s expertise in classical music, and his deep understanding of the composition’s intricacies.
2. Aayiram Nilave Vaa
   It was a Duet song from the movie Adimai Penn released in the year 1969. The song, sung by SP Balasubrahmanyam and P Susheela, garnered stupendous success and became a go-to song for music enthusiasts. The music was composed by KV Mahadevan and the lyrics were penned by Pulamaipithan.
3. Thanga Thamarai
   SPB also received the National Award for the song Thanga Thamarai from the hit Tamil film Minsaara Kanavu. The film’s soundtrack, composed by AR Rahman, was highly acclaimed, and Balasubrahmanyam’s version of Thanga Thamarai further cemented his status as a revered and skilled singer in the industry.
4. Cheppaalani Undi’
   Another gem from Balasubrahmanyam’s collection is his rendition of the song Cheppaalani Undi, from the Telugu movie Rudra Veena. The popular song bagged the National Award and a place in the hearts of millions of music lovers. In addition to that, the film itself garnered three National Film Awards, including Best Music Direction and Best Feature Film on National Integration.
5. Ithu Oru Ponmalai
   This Tamil song crooned by SP Balasubrahmanyam for the film Nizhalgal is the singer’s first song as a lyricist. The film directed by Bharathiraja starred Raadhu, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Chandrashekhar Vaidya in the lead roles.
6. Vedam Anuvanuvuna Nadam
   Balasubrahmanyam lent his vocals to as many as five songs in the film’s playlist featuring acclaimed actors Kamal Haasan, Jaya Prada, and Sarath Babu. Out of the five songs, Vedam Anuvanuvuna Nadam received the prestigious National Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
7. Tere Mere Beech Mein
   The singer made a grand entry into Bollywood with this timeless romantic song, which also garnered him the prestigious National Award for Best Playback Singer (male). SPB’s rendition of the song truly mesmerised listeners, as he effortlessly infuses depth and emotion into every note. The song featured Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri in the 1981 Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye.
8. Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan
   This song adds another feather to SP Balasubrahmanyam’s list of super melodious songs. A soulful rendition composed by AR Rahman and crooned by the legendary singer SPB made the entire nation hum its tune in the ’90s. This popular track from Roja easily falls under the category of evergreen songs.
9. Pehla Pehla Pyar
   This song from Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit starrer ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ was one of its kind owing to the rhythm and pace of the song. SPB’s rendition of this romantic song was composed by Raam Laxman.
10. Didi Tera Devar Deewana
    This was another massively popular duet song crooned by SPB and Lata Mangeshkar for the blockbuster film ‘Hum Apke Hain Koun’. The camaraderie and fun displayed in the two singers’ voices touched the hearts of the audiences instantly. The song still remains one of the most favourite melodies to feature in almost every Indian wedding function.
11. O Maria O Maria
    This romantic track in SPB’s discography, O Maria O Maria, is one of the peppy numbers of the ’80s that will make you dance your hearts out. Featuring Kamal Haasan and Dimple Kapadia, the track became an instant success and is still enjoyed by many listeners. Moreover, the song is also voiced by another legendary singer, Asha Bhosle.
12. Aaja Shaam Hone Aayi
    The next song on our list is ‘Aaja Shaam Hone Aayi,’ featuring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree in the movie Maine Pyar Kiya. This romantic song was one of the biggest hits of its time, and SPB sang for Salman Khan in many films after this success.