Music legend S P Balasubrahmanyam, who tested COVID-19 positive, passes away at 74

Chennai: Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam, the Indian singer known for delivering scores of hits over the years, tragically succumbed to the COVID-19 infection at a hospital in Chennai. He was 74.

The singer, who has sung nearly 40,000 songs in a career spanning over 5 decades, had been undergoing treatment at the MGM Healthcare since August 5.

Initially, he was admitted with "mild symptoms" of the COVID-19. Posting a video on social media, SPB had said that he had a "little chest congestion."

He further informed that he had a little bit of "chest congestion". "In two days, I will be home. Lot of people have been calling me. I could not attend all the calls. I have come here mostly to take rest," the singer had said in the video, expressing optimism.

SPB's oxygen levels dropped drastically on August 13, and he was shifted to the ICU. He continued to be "critical" over the next few days.

The legendary singer was on a ventilator and ECMO during his last few days, doctors said. They also said that they were taking a multi-disciplinary approach to save the singer's life.

On September 8, the hospital informed that he would require an extended stay in the ICU. On September 19, SPB's son said that his father's condition was improving slowly.

The hospital, on Thursday, informed that the singer had turned "extremely critical". He finally lost his life on Friday afternoon after a long battle with the infection.

Balasubrahmanyam, born 4 June 1946; also referred to as S. P. Bala, S. P. B., or Balu has was a highly respected musician, playback singer, music director, actor, dubbing artist, and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam.

He is a recipient of several awards which he won during his decades-long career -- including the Padma Shri, GIMA Award for Best Devotional singer, and Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

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