RIP SP Balasubrahmanyam: Remembering five of his memorable numbers with Chiranjeevi and Ilaiyaraaja

Legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam has truly left a void in the Telugu film industry with his passing on September 25. The singer has recorded over 40,000 songs in his career, even in Telugu and has become a household name in both the Telugu states in his long career. His songs from the 80s and 90s in particular still find their way to many playlists, especially the chartbuster he has made with music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and Megastar Chiranjeevi.
Most of Chiru’s blockbusters truly remain incomplete without SP Balu’s voice. From romance to peppy dance numbers, he has voiced them all for the star. While the list is long, we bring you five charbusters of Balu-Chiru-Ilaiyaraaja to listen to and remember the legend that SP Balu was:
Malli Malli Idi Raani Roju
The song Malli Malli Idi Raani Roju is a special duet picturised on Chiranjeevi and Suhasini in the movie Rakshasudu. Released in the year 1986, this is one of his famous romantic numbers and every Telugu music lover’s favourite. The soothing voice of SP Balasubrahmanyam and S Janaki truly brought the mood forth. Add to that Iliayaraaja’s legendary composition, Malli Malli Idi Raani Roju remains an evergreen duet.


Taraliraada Thane Vasantham is another masterpiece of SP Balasubrahmanyam from the movie Rudraveena. The song was not only critically acclaimed but it also brought him and composer Ilaiyaraaja a national award. He bagged the national award for best male playback singer in the year 1989 and this song will remain forever in the hearts of SPB fans.


This is another duet which made the massy Megastar fans go crazy in the theatres and there’s no denying that Subhalekha Raasukunna played a big role in the success of the movie Kondaveeti Donga. SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice in this number is truly magical and it turned out to be very popular number in the radio back in the day. The song was later even remixed for Ram Charan starrer Nayak in the year 2012.


The reason why SP Balasubrahmanyam is said to be a versatile singer is the way he tunes his voice to the mood of the song. Induvada Kundaradana has both massy and romantic beats and SP Balasubrahmanyam pulled off both with ease. Along with S Janaki, SPB has truly made his mark with a song which is from the blockbuster movie Challenge.


A song that doesn’t need any introduction. This super hit song from the movie Jagadekaveeru Athiloka Sundari can inarguably be called as one of the SPB’s best. Even in his recent concerts and award shows, SP Balasubrahmanyam has always sung this song and reminisced on how special this song is. His vocals truly raised the bar to showcase the chemistry between Chiranjeevi and Sridevi, whom the number is picturised on.