Legendary singer SP Balasubramanyam passes away at 74

Veteran singer SP Balasubramanyam has passed away at a private hospital in Chennai, after fighting Covid-19 for over a month. He was 74. According to the hospital statement, he died because of cardio-respiratory arrest. The singer is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. 

Director Venkat Prabhu took to his official Twitter handle to post the news. SPB's son Charan also confirmed his father's demise. 

MGM Healthcare, the hospital which was treating SPB released a press statement on Thursday, stating that the singer is critical and is on life support. The actor's health condition improved to an extent towards the end of last month. SP Charan, through his Instagram videos kept updating the fans and well-wishers about his father's health. 

This news has shocked the entire cine industry and his family and friends. The legendary singer has sung over 40,000 songs in diverse Indian languages. He is popular for his works in languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. In his career span of almost 55 years, he has been an actor, music director, producer and dubbing artist apart from a singer. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including Padma Shri, National awards, Filmfare awards, Nandi awards among many others. In 2001, SPB along with singer Lata Mangeshkar was welcomed at en event by former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton at the White House.

Tributes and condolences are being poured to the demised singer from people of all walks of life.