Random Thoughts on Random Words - Day 20 Tribute to a Legend

In this post, I would like to pay tribute to the legendary singer S.P.Balasubramaniam Garu, fondly called by his fans, simply as SPB or Balu. The death of SPB on 25/9/2020 was a huge shock to all Indians.  At that time, Covid 19 was still unfamiliar and generally people did not know or understand  the extent of  viciousness of the pandemic. Many have paid  rich tributes writing about the musical journey of SPB,  and his vast contribution to Indian music. As we are already aware about this dimension of the great artist, I wanted to write and talk about SPB, the amazing human being. It is this aspect that we will be focusing on in this post. 

I had been wanting to write about SPB ever since I witnessed his leadership qualities and traits as a great human at a musical program in Bellary in 2008. At that time I was working as DGM(HR) in JSW Steel.The company had invited SPB to perform at its open air theatre  in connection with a festival celebration. The program was attended by a huge audience consisting of employees and their families. As a HR person what impressed me most was the way he treated the musicians in his team. 

At Various points during the program he ensured that each and everyone in the team was introduced in a detailed manner. He would mention the number of years of expertise each musician had and praised their prowess, sometimes remarking that a particular team member was senior to him in the industry. As I watched this gentleman, I told myself " Managers  simply had to take a leaf out of  his book - observe and practice what SPB did live and they can be assured of their juniors being  loyal to them for life. Theoretically, most people working in organizations know the thumb rule and will declare in public forums " Appreciate/Praise in public, criticize in private".  However, often times , this does not get translated in to practice. On that day I saw a live demonstration of an effective leader and  a wonderful  human being.   

Another thing you observe about SPB is his humility. He has acknowledged in many public forums that the legendary singer Mohammad Rafi  was his inspiration. In his initial days, when he gave auditions, no matter which language it was for, SPB sang Rafi songs. "Jaane wale zara mudke dekho " was a constant. He also used to sing many Rafi songs in his live musical programs. When he returned from a hard day's work, he used to lie down , close his eyes and listen to Rafi songs. As he listened to them tears flowed down his cheeks. Initially, his wife used to be upset "What is this you are doing? After working very hard whole day you are listening to these songs to weep? I can't let you do this". But Balu assured her that the tears were a symbol of cleansing happening in his body, removing it of all tensions. 

Another story that SPB loved to narrate is from his college days. While cycling down to the college, on the way there used to be a small tea shop which had the radio playing Hindi songs from 7 to 7.30 AM  on Radio Ceylon. Balu would invariably stop there and listen to the songs. There was one song listening to which, he would start weeping.  After this happened for about six months, one day the shop owner asked him "Son , what is the reason that you cry on hearing this particular song?" 

The song was "Deewana hua baadal " from the film "Kasmir ki Kali sung by Rafi. The young man said he did not know the answer. Years later, SPB came in his car to the tea shop owner, introduced himself as the "that young man" and then said "I now know the answer to your question. It is because that voice  to me is like God himself singing"  The depth of SPB 's humility can be understood only when we take into account the fact that all this is coming from a person who is a six time National film award winner, having sung over 40,000 songs in multiple languages. 

SPB had a lot of respect and regard for his seniors and considered K.J.Yesudas (Dasettan to his fans)  as his elder brother and Dasettan  reciprocated similar feelings for him. When Dasettan completed 50 years in cinema,  SPB performed Padhapooja along with his wife as a "Gurudakshina". According to Dasettan "SPB would always treat those around him with love and affection." He relates an incident in Paris when they arrived late from a program and no food was available at night. He thought he would have go to bed hungry when a knock came on his door. The voice  said "Room service" . When  Dasettan  opened the door he was surprised to see SPB! He had mimicked the voice of a room service staff;  brought with him food personally cooked by him. This was possible as he had carried some ready to cook  packaged food from India  . Dasettan  was very happy with this unexpected, kind gesture and thanked Balu profusely, enjoying the home cooked food!  

The incidents we discussed was to bring out the human side of the legend. I would like to end this post by telling readers that even as he was leaving us for the heavenly abode, SPB was concerned about the people and wanted them to be vigilant against the virus. He had recorded songs in all the four southern languages exhorting fans to follow guidelines and be safe. The last such recording with lyrics by poet  Rafeeq Ahmed was in Malayalam.  I have translated the lyrics into English so that readers can get an idea as to what message he wanted to convey to the people.        

          Time to Stand Together     

          This is the time to stand together 

          the time to fight together, the time to be cautious 

          there's no need to panic, but say  no

          to reckless bravery as well  

          it is sufficient, to have the will to overcome 

           and a mind to cooperate, coexist...   (This is the time)  

 

             Prayers, festivals & merry making celebrations

              are not, more important than human well being 

              being adamant, having arguments, political differences

              are wrong and misplaced

             when the whole  world is weeping... 

 

          Go beyond the thoughts of caste, religion 

         scientific temperament alone will help us beat this

         yes,  scientific temperament,  scientific temperament

                                                                                 (Time to stand together)  

As a tribute to the great legend, I recorded in my voice his last message to his people. Although this song is in Malayalam, it is similar thoughts that he conveyed in the other songs on the pandemic, the safety and well being of everyone....

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