President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Narendra Modi mourn demise of singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, say 'Indian music lost its most melodious voice'

Chennai: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday joined thousands of fans who mourned the passing away of legendary playback singer and Padma awardee SP Balasubrahmanyam.

“In the passing of music legend SP Balasubrahmanyam, Indian music has lost one of its most melodious voices. Called ‘Paadum Nila' or ‘Singing Moon’ by his countless fans, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan and many National Awards. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers,” President Kovind said in his condolence message.

In the passing of music legend SP Balasubrahmanyam Indian music has lost one of its most melodious voices. Called ‘Paadum Nila' or ‘Singing Moon’ by his countless fans, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan and many National Awards. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 25, 2020

PM Modi too condoled the passing away of singer SP Balasubrahmanyam.

"A household name across India, his melodious voice and music enthralled audiences for decades. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and admirers", the PM tweeted.

With the unfortunate demise of Shri SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer. A household name across India, his melodious voice and music enthralled audiences for decades. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 25, 2020

Balasubrahmanyam, who was also popularly known as SPB or Balu in the movie world, had recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 languages over a period of five decades.

The famed singer lost his battle against Covid-19 and passed away on Friday, his son SP Charan said.

Speaking briefly to the media outside the MGM Healthcare, Charan said Balasubrahmanyam passed away at 1.04 p.m. and thanked the hospital officials for the treatment and service.

He said further details will be shared later. Since Thursday the indications about Balasubrahmanyam were not good.

On Thursday the MGM Healthcare said the singer remains on ECMO and other life support systems.

"His condition in the last 24-hours has deteriorated further warranting maximal life support and he is extremely critical. The team of experts at MGM Healthcare are closely monitoring his health condition," the hospital had said.

Since Friday morning a large number of police personnel were deployed outside the hospital. The singer`s family members were all present at the hospital.

Famed director Bharathiraja after visiting Balasubrahmanyam at the hospital told the media at this time of grief he was not able to speak anything.

"Even now there is some ray of hope. There is one power above us all," an emotional Bharathiraja said. It was movie Director Venkat Prabha who first tweeted about the singer`s death. Prabhu tweeted "#RIPSPB 1:04 pm" announcing the sad news.

On August 5, in a Facebook post, the 74-year old SPB said that he was suffering from a very mild attack of coronavirus and had got himself hospitalised to take rest.

He had said that though the doctors had advised him to stay at home and take rest, he decided to be in a hospital, as at home his family members would get concerned.

He hoped to get discharged from the hospital in two days. But it was not to be.