Devastating: The Singing Legend SP Balasubrahmanyam Passes Away

Legendary singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam has succumbed to infection in his lungs, following hospitalisation after contracting Coronavirus. The news has saddened Telugu, Tamil, Kannada people, in whose hearts he carved a niche for himself through his melodious songs. His mellifluous voice helped him get close to people’s heart so much so that they consider him one among their family members. For the last 50 years, he had sung numerous songs in different genres not failing to impress the listeners in any of the renditions.

The 74-year-old singer got admitted to MGM Hospital in Chennai following symptoms of Covid-19 on August 5. Suddenly, last evening (September 24) the hospital authorities released a health bulletin stating that his condition deteriorated further in the last 24 hours and that his condition was ‘extremely critical’. It is now official that SP Balu garu has passed away at 1.04 pm on Friday in Chennai.

Since then there has been hectic activity at the hospital with film actor Kamal Hassan and Balu’s family members and siblings reaching MGM hospital. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu too called up MGM doctors and enquired them about Balu’s health condition.

It was on August 13, Balu’s health condition deteriorated for the first time. Then he was shifted to the ICU and put on ECMO and other life support measures. Doctors from foreign countries flew down to Chennai to extend special medical support to the renowned playback singer. This led to some anxiety among his fans. However, his son S.P. Charan clarified that there was not much to worry and hoped that his father would recover very soon with the well wishes and prayers of his fans across the world. He also said that he was confident that his father was in safe hands at MGM Hospital.

Later, there was news that Balu tested negative for Covid-19 and that his health condition had improved. Then Charan said that his father’s condition was stable and that he was undergoing physiotherapy. He also said that his father was sitting and even speaking to them. He thanked SPB’s fans and well-wishers for their prayers as they were expecting their father would come home in fine health.

However, this sudden development in the evening had been a shock to both his family and fans spread across every nook and corner in the world.

Soon after getting himself admitted to the hospital on August 5, the Padma Shri awardee shared a selfie-video, to instil confidence among his fans and well-wishers, stating that he was “perfectly fine” and claimed that he would be discharged from the hospital in a couple of days. He said that he was experiencing chest congestion and had intermittent cold with fever. Following these symptoms, he said he had decided to get himself tested.

Earlier, He said he was having little discomfort. “There is some chest congestion and for a singer it is nonsense. Had cold and on and off fever. These three things, otherwise no problem.” He asked his fans and well-wishers not to panic about his health as he was in good hands and good health.

The other day, It is being said that Balu had been on ECMO and ventilator support for the last few days as the infection in the lungs could not be controlled.