22nd Sep 1930-14th Apr 2013
காலங்களில் அவள் வசந்தம்
கலைகளிலே அவள் ஓவியம்
மாதங்களில் அவள் மார்கழி
மலர்களிலே அவள் மல்லிகை
With due apologies to the great Kaviarasar Kannadasan I am taking inspiration from his own lines to describe the singer who had rendered this immortal song as பாடுவதில் அவர் தென்றல். Original line in that song is காற்றினிலே அவள் தென்றல் . When one listens to P B Sreenivas’ songs it is just like a gentle breeze caressing you softly. He was also lucky to have his profession etched in his initials! It seems he himself used to joke about fate selecting his initials that denotes Play Back Singer !
Prathivadhi Bhayankara Sreenivas (22 September 1930 – 14 April 2013) popularly known as P. B. Sreenivas or just PBS , like most of his songs , was a mild-mannered gentleman, and had never got into any controversies . When he sang it was as if the words in the songs should not get hurt—he was so soft in rendering them. He possessed a very rare attribute of knowing multiple languages-not just singing in many languages, but had proficiency to even compose poems in eight languages. Apart from his mother tongue Telugu, he was proficient in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, Sanskrit , Hindi and English. His major work as a play back singer has been in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu languages.
PBS was born in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Prathivadhi Bhayankara Phanindraswamy, was a civil servant and Seshagiriamma, his mother was a musician. PBS completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree and also the Hindi Visharad from the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha. Though his father wanted him to pursue a career in Government sector, his passion was singing. PBS himself narrated an anecdote from his early years , when his parents took him to an astrologer to get an advice on whether he will have a good career in music or should he opt for a regular job. Strangely the astrologer predicted that the boy will not have any future in music! But his mother went by his passion and took a chance , luckily for him and for us!
Initially his uncle, Kidambi Krishnaswamy, who was a drama artist and a singer, gave him an opportunity to sing in a drama. Later, he also took him to the legendary veena vidwan, Emani Sankara Sastry, who introduced PBS to S. S. Vasan, the owner of Gemini Studios. There, PBS sang a super hit song sung by Mohammed Rafi, his favourite singer, “Huye Hum Jinke Liye Barbad”, composed by Naushad Ali, which landed him the opportunity to become professional playback singer. Although PBS became a well-known playback singer in the South film industry, his first song was for a Hindi film, Mr Sampath that was produced by Gemini studios and music was composed by Emani Sankara Sastry with B.S Kalla. His first song in Tamil was “ Sinthanai Yen Selvame for the film Jathakam ( 1953), that had music by R Govarthanam.
Later on, PBS started singing in Tamil, Kannada ( he was the main voice for Dr Rajkumar) and also his mother tongue, Telugu. Malayalam songs were comparatively few. His long-cherished dream of singing with Lata Mangeshkar got fulfilled with the song Chanda Se Hoga Who Pyara in the film Main Bhi Ladki Hoon that was produced by AVM Productions and was a remake of the Tamil film Naanum Oru Penn. Although from 1953 onwards he kept singing few songs, the major turning point is his career was the evergreen Inbam pongum vennila veesuthe in the film Veerapandiya Kattabomman that he sang with P Susheela under the music direction of the veteran G Ramanathan.
By that time TM Soundararajan was well established as the de-facto voice for both the leading actors M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. Most of the other male singers were also known for their high pitched, full-throated singing with exception being the composer-singer AM Raja. PBS found a niche by having a soft style of singing that suited almost all the other actors except MGR and Sivaji , more prominently for Gemini Ganesan. Slowly he became the voice for Gemini Ganesan and many other actors . He was also sought after for soft , melodious romantic songs. His repertoire in languages apart from Tamil is also quite vast. My knowledge is limited to Hindi and Tamil music and so I am not qualified to talk about his works in other languages.
Before I start my song list, I would like to narrate a personal experience. So far in my life I was able to meet only one singer in person and even have a few words. That was PBS . Long back ,in the early ‘90s when I used to work in Hyderabad, I met him in a restaurant and again in Chennai somewhere in 2011-12 I met him in the New Woodlands Hotel in Chennai , which used to be his favourite joint. He is known for his trademark cap or turban and was always found carrying a dozen pens and a sheaf of paper. Over a masala dosai and cups of hot coffee , he used to compose hundreds of poems in the eight languages he knew!
I have selected 25 songs of this legendary singer . PBS has sung around 3000 songs and as far as Tamil songs are concerned most of the songs he had sung are great ones, making my task of selecting 25 from them a herculean one!
Listing is chronologically arranged based on the year of film with description in following sequence:
Song/ Film/ Year of film/ Music director/Lyricist/ Co-singer
Some of the links to the songs may not play here-you may have to open them in YouTube in order to listen/view by clicking on the link
- Inbam Pongum Vennila/ Veera Pandiya Kattabomman/ 1959/ G Ramanathan/ Ku Ma Balasubramaniam/ Duet with P Susheela
Although PBS debuted in 1953 in Tamil film music, it took almost 6 years for him to get noticed , with the veteran G Ramanathan giving him a super hit in this 1959 film. The subtle, intricate sangathis that he does in this song are too good and for the next few years , there was no looking back for PBS.
2. Kannale Pesi Pesi/ Adutha Veetu Pen/ 1960/ P Adi Narayana Rao/ Thanjai N Ramaiha Das
One can say that PBS rally “ arrived “ with this great comedy film that had 5 songs rendered by him under the music direction of P Adi Narayana Rao. I have selected two songs from this movie-this one a superb romantic one and the next a classical master piece that is almost forgotten now.
3. Vanitha Maniye/ Adutha Veetu Pen/1960/ P Adi Narayana Rao/ Thanjai N Ramaiha Das
One can hear a totally different PBS in this classical masterpiece based on Hamsadhwani raagam.
4. Chittukuruvi Aaduthu ( Thennankeetru Oonjalile )/ Paathai Teriyudu Paar/1960/ M B Sreenivasan/ Jayakanthan
The debut film for music composer M B Sreenivas in Tamil and what an immortal melody he composed ! Known for his famous Madras Youth Choir music and experimental style of music, MBS got more fame in the Malayalam music industry. It is said that he composed this song fully with the help of the xylophone.
PBS & S Janaki later on rendered many immortal classics -the humming in this song by both are top class. Sadly, such songs have almost faded away from our memory .
5. Kalangalil Aval Vasantham/Paava Mannippu/1961/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan
The iconic song that always comes to one’s mind whenever we talk of PBS. By this time PBS had become the de-facto voice of Gemini Ganesan and rendered most of his hits for this actor. The greatest strength of PBS was in giving a velvety softness to the lyrics.
6. Mayakkama Kalakkama/ Sumaithangi/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan
PBS had the opportunity to render some of the immortal lines written by the great Kannadasan. This song conveys the essence of life in a simple language but at the same time makes a profound philosophy. In my blog on Kannadasan, I had written in detail about this song and how it even inspired another contemporary of the Kaviarasar, Vaali to fight back and get his foothold in the industry.
7. Manithan Yenbavan Deivam/ Sumaithangi/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/Kannadasan
PBS himself was a poet and used to write poems in eight languages. May be this made him give utmost respect to the lyrics and he has rendered some of the great masterpieces written by the one and only Kaviarasar Kannadasan. Just observe the way PBS renders the lines at the end of each charanam and you can understand what I am trying to convey. Absolute bliss to listen to this song again and again.
8. Poojaiku Vantha Malare/Paatha Kaanikkai/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with S Janaki
One more exquisite duet of PBS and S Jananki. The way PBS does a subtle twist with the word “ vaa” is his unique skill.
9. Rojamalare Rajakumari/ Veerathirumagan/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with P Susheela
If we see any playlist of PBS best songs, this one is bound to be at the top. An evergreen romantic melody that was supposed to have been rage in neighbouring Sri Lanka.
10. Azhagiya Mithilai Nagarinile/Annai/ 1962/ R Sudarsanam/ Kannadasan/ Duet with P Susheela
A fast-paced romantic duet , composed by the veteran R Sudarsanam , picturised so nicely in the Chennai of 1962! May be due to the song starting off with the description Azhagiya Mithilai Nagarinile, for those born and brought up in Chennai, it is so nostalgic to see all those iconic landmarks captured in vintage black& white photography. PBS & Susheela come up with a breezy , lilting duet that is as fresh as it has been picturized.
11. Nilavukku Yen Mel Yennadi Kobam/ Poilcekaran Magal/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan
The film Poilicekaran Magal is one more feather in PBS’ cap ( now think of it-he always had a fur cap in early years and later on a turban!). All the songs from this film are nothing but sheer classics.
12. Ponnen Yenben Siru Poovenben / Poilcekaran Magal/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with S Janaki
The magical vocals of PBS and S Janaki join together again. PBS being a master in the lower notes and Janaki in the highest. Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy compose a terrific Darbari Kanada based immortal classic. The story in the film is about the character played by Balaji ditching the heroine after loving her. The manner in which Kannadasan had written the song and the how V-R composed this with an undercurrent of things to follow in their lives makes this a haunting melody.
13. Intha Mandrathil Odi Varum/ Poilcekaran Magal/1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with S Janaki
Third song from the same film in this listing-the mellisai mannargal must have been in one of their best ever creative moods to come out with such scintillating songs. Janaki, as usual is so much at ease , effortlessly singing at the higher octaves. Somehow, personally I always have a bias towards Janaki’s songs in the 50’s & 60’s when she sounded so melodious. Not to be left behind, PBS comes in the last charanam only and as these legendary singers always do, he makes his mark so impressively. The song, though a duet , is picturized on a brother-sister and the lines by Kannadasan , composed by V-R and excellent singing by PBS & SJ convey the theme of the song so nicely.
14. Ninappathellam Nadanthuvittal / Nenjil Or Aalayam/ 1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan
One more iconic song from the incomparable team of Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy, Kannadasan and PBS-the more I started listening to PBS’ songs while writing this blog, I realised how subtly and with such effortless under-stated elegance, PBS conveys the emotions of a song in a unique way.
And how can I even attempt to write about the master-sculptor of words Kannadasan and the incomparable composers V-R ? Immortal lines, with immortal music. That is the only way I can describe.
15. Pon Ondru Kanden Pen Angu Illai/ Padithal Mattum Poruma/1962/ Kannadasan/ Duet with TMS
I have a complaint against the mellisai mannargal-why did they compose very few duets of these two great legends -TMS & PBS!!! We definitely would have loved many more . What contrasting voices and styles but at the same what a perfect synchronised singing by them.
Sometimes I feel , how can I describe such songs?! It is enough to close one’s eyes and just get immersed in them.
16. Paalvannam Paruvam Kandu/Paasam /1962/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with P Susheela
To the best of my knowledge , one of the very few songs that PBS sung for the Puratchi Thalaivar MGR! This films commercially flopped as it was again one of the very few ( or may be the only one!) in which the character played by MGR dies at the end of the film. Kannadasan , in his inimitable style , condenses the entire story of the film with the lines:
நேர் சென்ற பாதை விட்டு நான் சென்ற போது வந்து,
வா வென்று அள்ளி கொண்ட மங்கை இல்லையா
17. Yentha Oor Yendravane/ Kaatu Roja/ 1963/ K V Mahadevan/ Kannadasan
What imaginative lyrics , words ending with “oor” that signifies place names and at the same time the inherent beauty of Tamizh language that also conveys many other interpretations-only Kannadasan can think of such lines. And like adding icing on the cake, we have two other geniuses -K V Mahadevan and PBS , the simple tune of the former and emotive singing by the latter. Songs like these are made once in thousands of years.
18. Aval Paranthu Ponaale/ Paar Magale Paar/ 1963/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with TMS
The two great legends once again render a classic , evergreen song-TMS & PBS. Except for the interludes , and a guitar that keeps playing in the song, there is almost nil orchestration-V-R created a gem of a song purely with the power of evocative singing by both the singers.
19. Anubavam Puthumai/ Kathalikka Neramillai/1964/ Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy/ Kannadasan/ Duet with P Susheela
One of the topmost duets of PBS & PS, this is a melody that meanders along at a leisurely pace, with the deep bass voice of PBS and sweet , honey-laced vocals of PS. V-R come up with a masterly orchestration -the interlude strings are simply addictive ! The magical Bongos of V-R is heard in its full glory with intricate variations in the rhythm patterns ; not only that even the strings , flute , accordion all add up to an evergreen song that simply cannot fade away from our memories.
20. Thol Kanden thole kanden/ Ithayakamalam/1965/K V Mahadevan/ Kannadasan/ Humming by P Susheela
Ithayakamalam was a musical bonanza from the veteran KV Mahadevan. All the songs from this film are absolute classics. When it comes to such breezy romantic numbers, it is a pure cake-walk for PBS. Sheer bliss listening to his baritones in this song.
21. Kathirunthe Kangale/ Motor Sundaram Pillai/ 1966/Vaali/ M S Vishwanathan/ Duet with P Susheela
The list of peppy , romantic duets PBS sang with PS doesn’t seem to end…enjoy one more from this fabulous team, this time with lyrics by Vaali and composed by MSV .
22. Nilave yennidam nerungathe/ Ramu/ 1966/ M S Vishwanathan / Kannadasan/
This Bageshri raag based composition by MSV has an excellent shehnai playing in the interludes and to me I consider it as one of the best use of this instrument that is normally associated with north of India. MSV had used this instrument in so many songs so well. Also, this ranks among the top most songs of PBS. Just note the way he emotes the lines: Oomaiyin kanavai yaar arivaar
Though most of the versions feature this as a solo PBS song, I realised the songs starts with short recital by Susheela.
23. Mouname Paarvaiyal / Kodi Malar/ 1966/ M S Vishwanathan/ Kannadasan
The magic created by MSV with Shenai in the Nilave yennidam nerungathe, is now replaced with sitar and flute. Superb orchestration by MSV and once again a song dripping with romance from the velvety voice of PBS. I find a common trait between singers like PBS, Talat Mehmood & Mukesh in Hindi , in the sense that though they sang comparatively lesser number of songs , the quality of their songs were simply great.
24. Thamari Kannangal/ Ethir Neechal/ 1968/ V Kumar/ Duet with P Susheela
One more under-rated and less recognised musical genius was Varadarajulu Kumar, popularly known as V Kumar. He was closely associated with most of the early hit films of legendary director K Balachandar. In the midst of giants like G Ramanathan, Vishwanathan-Ramammorthy, KV Mahadevan , he made a unique niche for himself with some excellent orchestration and off-beat tunes.
The late 60’s gradually saw PBS singing far lesser number of songs . However, His quantity might have come down , but quality always reigned supreme. Composed at high octaves, both PBS and PS excel in this romantic duet , picturised on not a regular hero , but the comedy legend Nagesh.
25. Thendrale Nee Pesu/ Kadavul Amaitha Medai/ 1979/ Ilayaraja/ Vaali
By mid-70’s Tamil film music saw the entry of a phenomenon called Ilayaraja. He had his own set of new singers and also gave a fresh career to S Janaki. K J Yesudas and SPB started becoming the new sensations. I am unable to understand why this was the only song IR composed for PBS. After listening to this , my own personal take is that if IR had utilised him for his soft melodious numbers , they could have been another unique combination.
But as everyone knows , the gentleman that PBS was, he never believed in running after money. Almost at the age of 50 when he had sung this , his voice had that same freshness.
With those 25 songs, I conclude my small tribute to this genius.
Ohh..just wait-as a bonus song I am giving the link to his superb duet in Hindi he sang with the nightingale Lata Mangeshkar; on screen we have the macho Dharmendra and a beautiful Meenakumari !
Long before many famous singers from South sang with the legendary Lata, we had our PBS fulfilling his ambition way back in 1964 ( Film : Main Bhi Ladki Hoon, Composed by Chitragupt, written by Rajendra Krishan but the tune was taken from the Tamil version of the song Poo Pola Poo Pola Sirikkum from the movie Naanum Oru Penn, 1963, music for which was composed by R Sudarsanam)
It was really a challenge to leave out many other great songs of PBS and I am sure many readers may feel disappointed not to see their favourites. May be one day I can select those which I had to reluctantly leave out to make the blog as concise as possible. By sheer co-incidence , I started off by comparing his songs to Thendral-breeze and the last song in my listing happened to start with that word!
After a very long gap , in the year 1986 , when I was in college and watching the off-beat movie Oomai Vizhigal, I was totally surprised to hear PBS’ soulful song Tholvi Nilay Yena Ninaithal Manithan Vazhvai Ninaikalama and was simply floored by that song. What a depth in voice at the age of 56!
Even more surprising for me was to realise , while researching for this blog , that PBS’ last recorded song for a Tamil film was in 2010 for the film Aayirathil Oruvan-Song: Penmane , music composed by G V Prakash , written by Vairamuthu that he sang at the age of 80 along with Bombay Jayashree. The voice had an even heavier baritone but I would say not a tad faded or jaded for his age! His lines were almost towards the end of the song and more like a recitation. I felt that since he did not have a prominent part in the song, I did not include in my listing. Those interested can search for the same in YouTube.
As the cliché goes, legends like PB Sreenivas never die…they continue to live in their immortal songs that they left behind for us.
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
The songs mentioned are from the popular , public domain and have been mentioned / embedded only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights. .I sincerely thank the publishers of following Internet sources for the information that I could gather for this article:
- You Tube
- Wikipedia
- Quarantine from reality series in YouTube by Ragamalika TV
Music Unrestricted 
Superb. Thanks for posting Siva.
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