In a career spanning over three decades, SP Balasubrahmanyam has bagged the National Award for the best playback singer, six times. His haul started with the semi-classical movie, ''Sankarabharanam' (Telugu-1979) followed later by a number of awards in other languages.

It is a rare achievement to be on the top of the South Indian film music scene for over three decades and also to prove that his voice is suitable for Hindi cinema as well, with all-time hits like 'Maine Pyar Kiya' and 'Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun' to name a few.

Popularly known as SPB and Balu to his friends, he was born in an orthodox Saivite family on June 4, 1946 in Konetammapeta (then in Andhra Pradesh and now in Tamil Nadu). He is the second son in a large family of three sons and five daughters. His father SP Sambamurthy was a well-known exponent of Harikatha. Balu took to singing as a hobby during his childhood. His father wished that Balu should become an engineer which brought him to Madras, where he enrolled for the AMIE course. Meanwhile, he also pursued his hobby and won awards at many singing competitions.

In 1964, a Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organisation, organised a music competition for amateur singers. Balu won the first prize, and that proved a turning point in his life. Music director SP Kodandapani took him under his wing. Balu made his debut as singer in 1966 with actor-producer Padmanabham's 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna' which had music by Kodandapani. Then offers poured in from Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam movies.

Balu's biggest ever break came with the MGR-starrer, 'Adimai Penn' which had music by KV Mahadevan. When he got the offer Balu was suffering from viral fever. But MGR, an astute talent spotter, waited for a full month for Balu and even postponed his shooting schedule in Rajasthan. Balu's song, "Aayiram Nilavevaa' , became an instant hit, and the song finally launched Balu's career in Tamil films.

Since then there has been no looking back for this peer. Record after record has tumbled because of Balu's virtuousity. He has even recorded 11 songs on a single day without any trace of exhaustion! And much before today's Shankar Mahadevan he rendered a song in one breath in the Tamil film 'Keladi Kanmani'. He is perhaps the only singer in India who can find a place in the Guinness Book of World records for the highest number - 33,000 songs (in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Tulu, Oriya) by an individual singer.

Balu's wish to become a music director was fulfilled when Dasari Narayana Rao gave him a break as composer in 'Kanya-Kumari'. Since then, he has composed the music for about 50 films in Telugu. Balu has also recorded the background score for a Kannada film, ''Sambandha', which had no songs.

Another aspect of Balu's multi-dimensional personality is his acting talent. At the insistence of good friend Kamal Hassan, Balu took to acting seriously and even won a special commendation from the AP Government for his role in 'Prema'. His memorable movies include 'Guna', 'Talaivaasal', 'Keladi Kanmani', 'Sigaram' and 'Kathalan' in Tamil, 'Pavithrabandham' and 'Aro Pranam' in Telugu, 'Muddina Mava' in Kannada. Currrently, he is being paired opposite Lakshmi in K. Balachander's teleserial, 'Jannal' which is a big hit too.

Balu has accompanied Latha Mangeshkar in her live shows in the US and UK. He had the rare distinction of meeting the U.S. President Mr.Bill Clinton along with Lathaji at the White House! And he himself has toured widely abroad with his musical troupe.

Many new singers try to imitate him. For them he has this advice. "You can imitate my songs, but not my voice. It is healthy for each person to sing in his own voice. No one can be an obstruction to another in this industry. With talent and luck anybody can make it here". On his part, he conducts a weekly programme 'Padutha Teeyaga' aired on E TV every sunday morning where he is trying to unearth hidden singing talent in Andhra Pradesh. The programme which has been on air for more than three years has already given to the industry a number of talents such as Parthasarathy and Gopika Poornima!

Balu has built 'Kodandapani Audio Laboratories' in his mentor's name in Chennai. It is one of the most modern sound recording theatres in the country. Balu calls it his dream temple!

Singing is a passion for this veteran and nobody can do it better. He is also very passionate about the game of cricket and is a keen watcher of the game as and when time permits him to do so. Happily married to Savithri, Balu has a son Charan, an upcoming singer himself and a daughter Pallavi, who before marriage sang in a couple of films under the baton of music director AR Rahman.