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Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jun 5: Gifted playback singer, S P Balasubrahmanyam (SPB), who reached Kollur on Saturday June 4 to celebrate his 70th birthday in a simple manner, spoke to media persons after paying obeisance to the Goddess and offering special puja. The singer, who is versatile and has lent his voice for films in a number of languages and known for his in-depth knowledge of music, was accompanied by his family and Anand Guruji, an expert in astrology.

"I have prayed to Goddess to bless south India, which is reeling under water scarcity, with abundant rains. If there is a rebirth, I want to be born in Karnataka and become SPB again. Whatever little I have achieved was possible because of the blessings of the Goddess. Every time I come to Kollur, i undergo divine experience," he explained.

About music, SPB said that it happens to be a universal language. He said that to understand music, one needs to work with total devotion and sincerity, concentration, respect for the elderly and abundant care to maintain the voice quality. He said that in spite of not having thorough knowledge of classical music, he could sing in various languages because of his devotion towards music. He felt that his own accomplishments are negligible as compared to the heights reached by K J Yesudas, P B Srinivas, Dr Rajkumar, Muhammed Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Day etc.

On this occasion, SPB also made the music lovers happy by rendering devotional songs at Saraswati Mantap of the temple. Anand Guruji blessed SPB couple. On behalf of the temple, executive officer, T R Uma, honoured both the legendary singer and Anand Guruji.

SPB's wife, Savitri, son, Charan, and daughter-in-law, Aprana, had accompanied the illustrious singer, who has given hundreds of hit songs and also has acted in a few movies. Religious procedures connected with the birthday of SPB were guided by temple priest, Sridhar Adiga.