As a befitting tribute to the iconic playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB), the University of Mysore will introduce a study chair at its College of Fine Arts in the name of the late singer. The university has allocated Rs 5 Lakh for the chair, and popular music director Hamsalekha will be part of the chair as a visiting faculty. The students will be trained for a year in this proposed plan, with both theory and practical sessions being a part of the curriculum.
It is perhaps the first time in the history of the varsity that a study chair in memory of a legendary personality has been constituted. University Vice-Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar said, “I think the constitution of the chair is happening for the first time in the university’s history. SP Balasubrahmanyam was a legend, and we want to pay our homage to him. This will be done by taking up research and activities in his memory besides holding cultural programmes.” He added that the university is also planning to bring out books on the singer.
SP Balasubrahmanyam was a veteran singer who passed away on September 25. The multi-faceted 74-year-old, who has sung more than 40,000 film songs, was admitted to MGM Healthcare hospital on August 5 following mild Covid-19 symptoms. While his condition stabilised during the course of the treatment, giving family and fans hope, the situation took a turn for the worst. Soon after, he died due to respiratory failure after struggling with coronavirus for nearly two months.
