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Kalalaya will be presenting a Tamil light music program featuring S.P. Balasubrahmanyam. The musician has a special relationship to the organization—its founder, Kala Iyer, has been Balasubrahmanyam’s national promoter for the past decade.
“S.P.B. has always been a great supporter and patron of Kalalaya,” says Iyer. “I am very excited and proud that he is participating at our special event, and I seek the comunity’s support in making this program a success.”
Other performers for the celebration include S.P. Sailaja, Sree Krishna, Kalpana Raghavender, and an orchestra from India.
Sripathi Panditaaraadhyula Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, or S.P.B., was born in Konetammapeta in the Nellore district of the state of Andhra Pradesh. His father, S.P. Sambamurthy, was a well-known exponent of Harikatha. Among his countless hit songs are “Do Mastane Chale Zindagi Banane,” “Ye Raat Aur Ye Doori,” “Dekha Nahi Hai,” and “Hum Tum Dono Jab Mil Jayenge.”
Balasubrahmanyam was passionate about music from his early days, and pursued it even as he was studying engineering. In 1964, Balasubrahmanyam won the first prize in a music competition for amateur singers organized by the Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organization, and earned his first opportunity from music director S.P. Kodandapani in 1966 in the film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. Since then, Balasubrahmanyam has sung over 36,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam. He holds the Guinness record for the most number of songs rendered by a male singer. Much loved by everyone in the film industry, Balasubrahmanyam is highly regarded by musicians and composers for his versatility and virtuosity. He has also acted in more than 70 movies, composed music for 47 films, and produced four films. He has been the host of many popular TV shows in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) will honor Balasubrahmanyam with their “Lifetime Achievement” Award in July.
Sunday, July 12, 4:25 p.m. Chabot College Peforming Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. $20, $25, $35, $50, $100. Tickets: (408) 733-7400, (510) 794-8400, (510) 796-5252; www.sulekha.com.