Few losses are hard to take and when it happens to be that of an individual who you're not personally associated with, it can only be by the impact created through a medium that predilects an everlasting effect on to you. The medium is music and the man Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam. The impact created is inconceivable and hard to jot down in mere words.
This person traveled throughout my journey of life uninitiated and in an unknowing manner. His presence accompanied us through his golden voice which soothingly and euphonically became a ritual in our everyday lives. If music had the power to heal, he was the designated voice to glow the torch and show us a ray of hope. It is with profound sadness that this thoroughbred icon isn't with us anymore to see the light of the day.
It is unacceptable that the one solely responsible to uplift our moods, stir our emotions and who provided unhindered happiness is not amongst us. He had no reason to leave us. The world he has gone to maybe a far better place than what it is currently but I'm very sorry to say that God really disappointed by snatching him away to his celestial abode.
Listening to the reverberating opening hum of Mandram Vandhu leaves a spiral of waves shattering the heart to smithereens. Almost every single gem of a song that I've ever listened to was associated with his meritorious baritone. This is not just a loss to the music world but to humanity at large. His extreme accomplishments aside, he had a heart and personality that was impossible not to admire. There are people that are loved and hated but the word 'hate' just gets obliterated when it comes to SPB. There isn't a single negative streak in his DNA and not a mere soul could ever dislike him.
As SPB famously quips, "I know what I don't know", he knew how to sustain and work around his strengths not toying with areas beyond his capability. This not only characterizes his humble attitude but also a life lesson imparted to budding youngsters of being more open to accepting their inherent limitations thereby learning and paving the way for future growth.
SPB will truly go down as a pantheon in his field and his incredible feats are unparalleled beyond reach by any stretch of the imagination. To consistently be on top of your game for over 5 decades and counting never giving the slightest hopes of ever slowing down shows what 'achievement' is all about.
We are all indebted to you forever Sir and thanks for all the boundless memories that have literally kept our lives up and running. This bond will only continue to prosper thanks to your rich legacy of diamond mines of music that you've kept as a treasure for all of us to cherish, thrive and rejoice. Love you SPB, may your legend be celebrated and continue to live and inspire generations forever till the eternity of time.
