SPB is the best ever singer in Indian film music

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SPB is the best ever singer in Indian film music SPB is the best ever singer in Indian film music

Topic started by Ravi Krishna (@ starwars.informix.com) on Tue Aug 26 21:43:46 EDT 1997.
All times in EDT +9:30 for IST.

Responses:

From: Ravi Krishna (@ starwars.informix.com) on: Tue Aug 26 21:50:31 EDT 1997

Folks ,

I have no hesitation is saying that SPB is the best film playback singer I have ever listened. This coming from a great Rafi fan. The variety,
control over voice and his quest for perfection
simply makes him the best ever singer I have listened. The only one worth comparing with SPB
are Lata and Asha. Kishore Kumar is not even
worth comparing with SPB.

IR has given great songs with SPB and without taking credit away from IR , I think SPB contributed a lot in his songs. I find it very sad that SPB does not give much credit to IR. I have read many of his interviews and never I have seen SPB rating IR high. To me it appears to be intentionally. He is willing to rate MSV,RDB,
Naushad and even ARR as great but he studiously
avoids naming IR. WHY ??
From: Ravi Krishna (@ starwars.informix.com) on: Tue Aug 26 21:51:38 EDT 1997

I forgot to add.
SPB is the best male playback singer I have ever
listened. Let's keep female playback singer out
of discussion.

thanks.
From: Aravind (@ 202.42.152.9) on: Wed Aug 27 00:58:51 EDT 1997

100% right. I too consider SPB as the best singer to date. He is South India's Rafi. SPB himself accepts that he has modelled his singing style after Rafi. But in course of time, I think SPB edged past Rafi. Though Rafi is much better in the high pitches, SPB has a knack of not venturing into high pitches unless extremely necessary.

I don't think Latha is a comparison. True I have not heard much of Latha's earlier day songs, I feel that she is a bit monotonous - not as versatile as Asha. Something like Susheelaa and Janaki. Kishore and Yesudaas are no comparisons.

Your other observation is also correct. There was an interview with SPB sometime back on Asianet (Malyalam). The interview was in English and when the interviewer asked 'Who is your favourite MD?', SPB said, 'R.D.Burman. I think IR is equally great'.

How can SPB name anybody other than IR? MSV is acceptable. But nobody else.

First of all, SPB would have worked with RDB for not more than 15 films. He has seen how IR works for more than 500 films. He knows more about IR than RDB. From a singer point of view, how can he rate RDB better? I don't understand.

As a listener he has his own choice. But even than, RDB and IR - hard to digest, with due credits to the great RDB.
From: unmai_viLambi (@ bones.deneb.com) on: Wed Aug 27 02:02:22 EDT 1997

As for as Tamil songs are concerned, TMS is a better singer than SPB.
It is MY opinion. Both of them are in the top 95 percventile.

TMS has the ability to change his voice to the actor he is singing for.
SPB lacks that - but he had his own style.

When it comes to UNARCHY, VEGAM, VEERAM, KAMBEERAM, SUTHANTHIRAM,
VETRI, KIRAMAPURAM
TMS voice suits better than SPB.

In KATHAL, SOGAM, KINDAL - they represented their era heros:
TMS singing for SIVAJI & MGR - SPB singing for Kamal & Rajini

When it comes to Karnatic songs - I prefer SPB.

In overall, for TMS I would give 95 and for SPB it is 90.
I don't know anything about Rafi - I would give myself 0 for that.

I doubt whether SPB can bring out the STUFF from the song
like "Erik karain mElE pOravaLe pen maiyelE".
SPB can do gimmicks like MOOCHU VIDAMA pAduvathu like in
"mannil intha kathalandri yArum".

Kathal touchesla SPB is better - like sinunguvathu,
nezivathu, asadu vazivathu, ekkathudan pAduvathu,....

Sogathil rendu pErumE equally good.

Pakthip pAdalgaLil - SPB is NO WHERE near TMS
thAlatup pAdalGalil - SPB voice is more soothing than TMS.
When it comes to Tamil pronucitaion - you know
who beats whom!!

There can be lot of singers who can SING
like SPB (mano for example)
but no one can immitate like TMS - he is unique in that.
From: NOV (@ 202.184.134.10) on: Wed Aug 27 03:54:02 EDT 1997

Ravi - "Best" is certainly subjective. For instance I won't be wrong to say that Malaysia Vasu is better than SP Bala (but only in certain songs).

Aravind - I don't like labelling him (South India's Rafi) or otherwise. Why should he be in anybody's shadow?

Bones - May I suggest Krishnachandran for cinema songs and Renganathan for bakthi songs (as imitation of TMS)?

My conclusion - TMS was a great singer; SPB is a great singer and since my interest is only in Tamil songs, they are indeed the better singers in TFM.

Some food for thought: Could SPBala have rendered Paatum naaney better than TMS or could TMS have sung Maamen oru naal malliyapoo koduthaan better than SPB?
From: pg (@ igw2.merck.com) on: Wed Aug 27 10:31:51 EDT 1997

To Bones :

SPB's pronunciation is as good as TMS. or TMS' pronunciation is as good as TMS. I can't understand what you meant. :-). Listen to Thanga Thaamarai Magale from Minsara Kanavu. All the r, R, n, N, l, Ls etc are pronounced perfectly.

I like SPB and TMS. TMS tends to develop a nasal tone in some songs. I like SPB's early voice better that his 85- and later voice.

SPB has a lot to thank IR. Almost 80% of SPB's hits were under IR. I don't know why SPB doesn't regard IR highly. BTW IR and SPB are very good friends - they are on a vaada-poda basis.
From: Ravi Krishna (@ starwars.informix.com) on: Wed Aug 27 11:55:56 EDT 1997

Arvind,
SPB not venturing into high pitches is bit amusing. After all didn't he sing it in high pitch in the title song of Roja, Anjali (Duet).
Also refrain from passing such comments about
Lata. If you listen to her 50's and 60's songs
, she is quite simply the best. Also try to listen to her non filmi songs where she has sung
some of the toughest song effortlessly.
TMS is also a great singer but he is **NASAL**.
From: cp (@ 208.206.24.27) on: Wed Aug 27 13:02:17 EDT 1997

As regards to pronunciation in tamil,yes, SPB has a touch of telugu accent in some songs. When it comes to TMS it is the marathamizhan voice and his pronunciation is too good. TMS's voice has gambeeram and his songs are basically very high pitched. I wonder if he has matched SPB when it comes to songs which have very soft tunes. In the song "en pon vannamE anbu poovannamE", TMS sings in a low and soft voice but but he does not make an appeal as SPB does in "enna saththam indha nEram" in Punnagai Mannan. If TMS has sung for Sivaji and MGR in different voices so has SPB sung for Kamal, Rajni, Sivakumar, Arvind Swamy, Prasanth etc etc. SPB's voice is universal that it suits everyone. About Malaysia Vasudeven, he is a versatile singer. IMO his voice is not univeral as SPB's. So, I agree that SPB is the best singer in India. Even the new singers like Hariharan and Unnikrishnan do not make up to the mark. Hariharan seems to be nasal and Unnikrishnan's voice is too very soft to suit all actors.

About comments on IR and SPB, I could understand from the various articles I read that they were both great friends and were there for each other from the days they struggled to come up in the tamil film industry. So,there is no doubt that each of them should feel great about the other. Both are equally talented and were in turn responsible for each other's success in TFM.
From: aruLarasan (@ psiphi.umsl.edu) on: Wed Aug 27 19:33:51 EDT 1997

Regarding IR and SPB, I think SPB didn't rate IR as the best is
because (as I believe) IR gives little room (and permission) for
singers to experiment with the songs. This is very apparent when you
compare SPB for IR with SPB for MSV, Sanker-Ganesh, etc.
Due to the generosity of earlier MDs, TMS had a excellent opportunity
to attain great heights (and many his songs start in the thara sthAyi -
higher octave than the regular).
From: Aravind (@ 202.42.152.9) on: Thu Aug 28 01:27:08 EDT 1997

Bones

Comparing TMS and SPB is like comparing MSV and IR - people belonging to different ages have diferent tastes. You liking TMS is no big surprise.

Don't tell that SPB does not vary his voice for the singer - see postings in 'Songs with different tones'.

Regarding vIram, suthanthiram and vetRi - TMS got a chance to sing those and excelled. SPB did not get many chances. But I agree that TMS is better in such songs. Eg. kappal ERip pOyaachchu is sothappal.

SPB cannot sing 'Erik karai mElE'. His high pitch is not as good as his low pitch. He can never approach TMS (or Rafi, Yesudass) when it comes to high pitch. But he is unparalleled in low pitches.

nenjai thottu sollungka - Does Mano sing like SPB? He is a cheap imitation. Like what Deva is for IR and kOvai Soundhararaajan for TMS. Have you heard kOvai Soundhararaajan?

NOV

I mentioned SPB as South India's Rafi because there such a great similarity in the style of singing the duets. As i already said, SPB himself accepts that.

Krishnachandran is nowhere to TMS. He would have sung 5 songs in movies. Can you list more than 5 songs of Krishnachandran?

Your last observation explains everything. They excel in different types of songs and it is a matter of personal taste.

PG

Though SPB's pronounciation is 98% faultless, there is a difference. SPB cannot sing 'muththaiththaru' (aruNagirinaathar). TMS is more clear. No doubts.

Ravikrishna

I myself said that I have heard much of Latha. From my knowledge, I feel that Asha is more versatile.

You can give 2 examples of SPB's high pitched singing. I can give 200 of his low pitched songs starting from 'thoduvathenna thenRalO' (sabatham). He avoids high pitches to the maximum extent possible. That is all.

aruLarasan

I too have heard that singers do not get much room for improvisations under IR. But I feel that it was a self imposed restriction by singers. Most singers he used who were junior to him, simply did not try to improvise on IR's instructions. This may be true even for Chitra.

But SPB, SJ and PS don't belong to that category. They were seniors to IR and never shunned from improvisations whenever possible. SPB and SJ are noted for their 'nuLivu' and 'suLivu' in any song.
From: Sathiya Keerthi (@ panorama.nus.edu.sg) on: Thu Aug 28 03:24:47 EDT 1997

I have mentioned this elsewhere, but since we are
talking about SPB and TMS, let me repeat. After
the first 5 years of both their careers, their
voice went through an abrupt change. For both
of them, I liked their early voices much more
than their later voices.

I also think SPB did many improvisations when
singing for MDs such as MSV: recall the
"kirukkuththanams" of SPB in songs such as
'idhazhE idhazhE thEn vENdum', 'ninaiththu
paarkkiREn', 'eththanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhu',
'maargazhi paniyil mangiya nilavil' 'iraNdil
ondru nee ennidam sollu' etc. Are there such
SPB "kirukkuththanams" in IR songs?

Personally I like SPB's voice more than TMS's.
From: Rajaraman (@ 192.122.135.224) on: Thu Aug 28 05:05:38 EDT 1997

Enna ippadi kEttuvitteergal Sathiya keerthi
avargale!

IR paattil SPB-yum Janaki-um pannaatha, in your
words, kirukkuthaname illai endru
sollalaam.

chummaa nikkaatheenga,
varuthu varuthu, etc...

star wars paattil konjam ithai athigamaaga seiyya
poi thondi kattikondu avathi pattirukkiraar.

I personally like this improvising part of
SPB. (esp.. that sirippu.)

Sathiyakumar avargalE,(enna yaarathu endru
paakkureengalaa.. namma A.P.V.A.Sigaamani thaan)
karnatic paattukku SPB-yaa?? TMS SPB-yai
thooki saappiduvathu intha vishayathil thaane?

IMO, SPB is good only filmy carnatic stuff.
e.g. vanthaal mahaalakshmiye

As mentioned by some of you, it's not
meaningful to say who is better. Both
excel in different departments..
From: Ravy (@ eagle.vapower.com) on: Thu Aug 28 08:12:52 EDT 1997

Kishore is more versatile than Rafi. That way SPB can be compared to Kishore rather than Rafi.

CP:
You compared SPB with TMS& Malaysia and declared SPB is the best singer in INDIA. If you are not familiar with Hindi films then crown SPB as the best in the South. (or do you consider TMS & malaysia are better than any Hindi singers?)
From: cp (@ 208.206.24.27) on: Thu Aug 28 11:20:46 EDT 1997

Ravy:
I have heard Rafi as well as Kishore's songs. Rafi and Kishore are indeed very good. Kishore is very versatile and also do some kirukkuthanams like SPB does. I have listened to songs that SPB has sung in Hindi esp. in Maine Pyar Kiya . I feel that SPB has got the best voice in India. If I am asked to rate singers in ALL-INDIA basis then here is my analysis. This is MY OPINION only.

SPB>Rafi>KJY>Kishore>TMS>MV
From: Ravi Krishna (@ starwars.informix.com) on: Thu Aug 28 11:55:35 EDT 1997

Arvind,

By giving two examples of high pitch songs I just
tried to prove that SPB has done a good job in
high pitch songs also. I agree that SPB may try
to avoid high pitch songs.
From: NOV (@ 202.184.134.10) on: Fri Aug 29 05:34:56 EDT 1997

cp says SPB>Rafi>KJY>Kishore>TMS>MV

Are we talking about the whole of India? Or does Tamil and Hindi FM represent entire India? I think we should only discuss what we know and if it is largely limited to TFM, then the discussion should also follow suit. At this rate, soon somebody is going to come and say SPB is the best singer in the world! And I can bet you this person WILL HAVE supporters. :-)
From: cp (@ host-207-53-3-192.atl.bellsouth.net) on: Fri Aug 29 15:17:55 EDT 1997

NOV:
Didn't you read the topic's title? Of Course, the question is who is the "best singer in India" and the above statement you have mentioned as my ratings is TOTALLY MY OPINION. I assume that this discussion forum is also to express one's individual opinion. I have heard hindi songs and hence I have given that rating. IMO, except hindi and tamil songs none of the other regional songs make such a mark when it comes to National recognition or popularity.
From: No 1 fan of SPB (@ dutyfree.proxy.lucent.com) on: Fri Aug 29 17:08:22 EDT 1997

I missed out lot of fun going on here for the last few days. Anyhow I am back.
Rating SPB as the best male singer depends on one's individual taste.
But if you rate in terms of versatility , no of popular songs, SPB undoubtedly scores
above any one. SPB's voice modulation is unparalleled, and I am yet to listen anyone who is better than him. I can not comment about rafi since I listened only little of him and they are ok. Regarding TMS, I feel he had more limitations than SPB. Though he was good in high pitched songs, His low pitch songs were not anything to praise about. He really had limitations in excelling in soft melodious numbers.
I have also noticed in couple of interviews where SPB avoided mentioning IR. But one thing,
SPB always admires people who are simple and easy to approach, and I really doubt whether IR is
that kind of person?.

e.hari
From: Ravy (@ ww-to03.proxy.aol.com) on: Sun Aug 31 01:56:13 EDT 1997

I recently listened to one very good SPB song from an obscure movie - captain magaL.

The song is endha pennilum illadha ondru -
Anubhavichchu paduvadhu endral idhudhan.
BTW who is the MD for that movie?
From: Ravi (@ greed.cs.umass.edu) on: Sun Aug 31 13:11:38 EDT 1997

Ravy: It is HamsalEkha, a kannada MD who scored for kodi parakkuthu also.
From: Aravind (@ 202.42.152.9) on: Sun Aug 31 23:50:53 EDT 1997

Hari

I too have my own doubts about IR's easy apprachability. But that IN NO WAY can affect the credits to be given to him as an MD. We are asking SPB to comment to MD's and not on the individual Human beings. It will be highly unprofessional on SPB if he says that, "Mahesh is my favourite MD as he is easily approachable".
From: sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-tha-ni-sa..tms.aa (@ bones.deneb.com) on: Mon Sep 1 06:03:55 EDT 1997

Rajaram:
Regarding karnatic songs, when I was writing, I just
thought of "Mathavip pon mayelaL" and Sanakaraparanam.
Based on that, I wrote I prefer SPB - now after
seeing 3 movies "kAthavarayan", "thooku thooki" and "ambikAbathy" -
I relaized that TMS has done a pretty godd
job for all the Karnatic songs in those movies.

Also when I was wtaching "nichaya thamboolam"
the song "pAvAdai thAvani-il pArtha uruvamA"
really touched me and I had to rewind the cassatee
to hear that again - I think TMS has done a
very good job in that low-pitched voice.
Though TMS sings with his MOOKU - it is only
during his later years and that too in few songs.

Aravind:
NEJAMA, sometimes I don't find any differences
between MANO and SPB -
especially in not-so-special-but-regular-songs.
I love Mano's modified voice in "mukkAlA mukAbulla".
Listen to chinnathambi songs - Mano has dittoed
SPB to the core.
From: V.Vakees (@ obatanga.chat.carleton.ca) on: Tue Sep 16 16:50:19 EDT 1997

To all:
I would say that nobody is near to the best singer S.P.Balu for the following reasons.
- good at laughing in between lines
- has more experience than any other
singers
- best in "nelippu", "sullippu"
- has control over his voice; able to use high, medium and low piches- despite the fact that he avoids high pitches.
- excellent voice that captivates the attention of everybody(from children to older people)
- OVER ALL HE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST

In regarding IR and SPB, I would agree that Spb should accept that his favourite MD is IR, not because he sung so many of his songs but because of IR's talent among the other MD's and the period of time he dominated the Music industry. I heard that they both have some personal problems. I seen in many stage programs that they both talk
and act like the best friends

Fan of SPB.
From: "Ravi" (@ host1296.tor1.pda.attcanada.com) on: Wed Dec 24 18:37:07 EST 1997

It was interesting to read the discussion about the best male singer in "Indian" Film Music. I hope I an not too late with my comments!

S.P.Bala is certainly one of the most popular singers ever. However, when the discussion is about the "best" singer in India, shouldn't we be considering a few other names too?

For example, there is a singer who has recorded songs in almost all Indian languages as well as English and Spanish. He has won seven (7) national awards for the best male vocalist (including one for a Telugu song and another for a Hindi song), two (2) Filmfare awards, one Sur Singar award, the first Lata Mangeshkar award, and nearly forty (40) state awards (from West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka, etc). He was awarded several honorary Doctorates (from Annamalai University among others) as well as the Padmashri title. He is so versatile in Carnatic music that a lot of people consider him more as a Classical singer than a movie singer.

The person is of course K.J. Yesudas. I would really like others to join this discussion.

Thank you.
From: Balaji. R. (@ 204.160.251.136) on: Thu Jan 22 03:49:44 EST 1998

SPB is the best Singer India has ever had. He is a man par excellence. His versatility is what makes him distinguished. His ability to modulate his voice according to the actor whom he is singing for and his expressions add to his fame.
He adds flavour to his songs by mixing emotions. I guess he is the only singer who has managed to retain his top position for more than 30 years.
From: J. Das (@ 165.21.83.137) on: Mon Apr 6 12:14:05 EDT 1998

I am a great fan of TMS, KJJ and SPB. I have found that TMS's popularity lasted as long as MGR and Sivaji were the leading heroes.He benefitted a lot from the beautiful lyrics of Kannadasan. KJJ and SPB, on the other hand, have been consistently popular over several years, irregardless of who the screen heroes are. KJJ has a lovely soothing voice well suited for classical music as well as cinema songs. SPB is more suited for the cinema, I feel.
Only 2 days ago, I attended a concert by KJJ and SPB. I expected a great deal from the twin peaks . SPB did not disappoint. His voice was fantastic and his showmanship excellent. KJJ showed signs of age, I think. Often, he missed a beat or two. Granted, he has sung so many songs that it may be impossible to keep track. Somehow the magic I always associated with KJJ was missing to a large extent.
Currently, I too feel that SPB is the leading singer in India.
From: pachippan (@ sgt-66-10.tm.net.my) on: Sun Nov 21 07:40:46 EST 1999

TO,S.P.B IM YOUR SINGER.my name is pachippan i like your song in amarkalam

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