You face heartbreak but you must continue living. Una nenachi paatu padichen – Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) The song is also helped by the genius of Illayaraja who infuses his techno and fast paced music which makes it absolutely hummable. In this song, Raju (Kamal Hassan) rescues Khushboo from a fire and a love story blooms. Michael Madana Kama Rajan is the story of four quadruplets named Michael, Madan, Kameshwaran and Raju. You wanted a romantic fast paced beat that would sum up the swinging 90s in Tamil society? This song was it. Rambam bam Aarambam - Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990) Every single day it offers me new information.” Optimism in the times of negativity is best heard through this evergreen classic. The lyrics, the simple composition, summed up in the lines, “The sky for me is a tree of wisdom. The twilight, the chirping of the birds, the beaches of Chennai, the lilting evening all give a sense of optimism at a time when there is plenty of negativity in society. The song is of a graduate who is in search of a job as he wanders around the mean streets of Chennai. Ithu oru Pon Maalai Pozhuthu – Nizhalgal (1980)Ĭan you imagine that in this song makes a concrete jungle look so beautiful? That was the power of SPB and Illayaraja. He takes up the challenge and what follows is an absolute classic for the ages. Radhika challenges him that he has to sing the verse without taking a breath. Singing on the beach and giving assurances to Radhika, one of the heroines in the film. Watch it to believe.Įven before Shankar Mahadevan made the Album ‘Breathless’ a hit in the mid-90s, SPB had already pioneered this in the 1990 film Keladi Kanmani. This song destroyed the notion that SPB cannot sing classical. Well, if yu listen to Shankara Naadasharirapa from the Telugu classic Shankara in the 1980s, you can see the depth and range of SPB’s brilliance. The one constant criticism from many musical purists was that SPB could never sing a classical South Indian song. Shankara Naadasharirapa – Shankarabharanam 1980 In such a dark backdrop, this song is nothins short of a classic. Kamal and Radha are enjoying their few seconds of life beautifully before they decide to commit suicide. It translates, “What is this sound at this point in time? What is the sound at this time? Is it the sound of the river? Are the parrots kissing? Is the sound coming of that?” The beauty of SPB’s soft rendition in the backdrop of a tragic suicide attempt sets the tone of this 1986 blockbuster starring Kamal Hasan, Revathi and Radha. Imagine this song playing in the background. However, here is an attempt in finding out some of the finest songs sung by SPB in the 80s and the 90ss which remain popular even today.Įnna Satham Indha nerum – Punnagai Mannan (1986)įorget for one moment that you are watching a video. His voice effortlessly captured varied human emotions and feelings. It is difficult to single out some memorable compositions of SPB as there are far too many. You name it and the first person that comes to mind is that SPB. Melody, sadness, love, romance, fast tuned, slow melancholic tones. In the 80s and the 90s, his partnership with ‘Isaignani’ Illayaraja would transform the entire landscape of the Tamil film industry. ‘Paadum Nila’ SPB sang 40,000 songs in a career spanning 54 years, meaning on an average close to 750 songs a year or over 60 songs a month. His powerful voice, his versatile demeanor would make him one of the very best in the industry. Especially, for the Tam-Brahm families, SPB’s voice would set the pace for the day. For many of us growing up in the 80s and in the early 90s, our childhood was defined by SP Balasubrahmanyam or SPB as he was more popularly know.