In a shattering turn of events, Veteran Singer SP Balasubramaniam (74) passed away due to post Covid complications, at MGM hospital in Chennai, today.
In a shattering turn of events, Veteran Singer SP Balasubramaniam (74) passed away due to post Covid complications, at MGM hospital in Chennai, today.
On Thursday, the hospital issued a health bulletin which left millions of his fans in shock. "Condition of veteran playback singer and actor SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) has worsened and is extremely critical", the bulletin said.
Later, the hospital in its recent bulletin informed the demise of the legendary singer. SPB’s entire family, his wife, Savithri, son SPB Charan, daughter SPB Pallavi, and sister SP Shailaja are present at the hospital. Director Bharathiraja, Director Venkat Prabhu and many others from the film industry have also reached the hospital to pay their last rites.
Over 300 policemen have been deployed outside the MGM hospital for security reasons and to avoid over crowding of people, due to COVID norms. His body is expected to be handed over to his family, shortly.
SPB was admitted in MGM healthcare on August 5 after he was tested positive for Covid-19 and reported mild symptoms. On August 13, his health worsened and was shifted to intensive care unit. He was placed under ventilator and later on ECMO support.
Over the course of treatment, the hospital informed that his health had improved, however he would continue on life support to help his lungs recover. He was reportedly responsive and under physiotherapy treatment. He was tested negative for Covid on September 7.
Even, two days back, his son SP Charan took to Instagram to update on his father's health, said SPB is taking liquid diet and eager to be discharged to home.
Millions of SPB's fans and celebrities across Indian film industry are expressing their heartfelt condolences and love for him through social media. Praising his voice as 'immortal', 'magical' fans have flooded the social media with SPB songs and RIP messages.
Fondly known as SPB, he has sung overa 40,000 songs in 16 Indian languages and holds the Guinness World Record for recording the highest number of songs. He won six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and is a recipient of civilian awards such as Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India.