“ We didn’t know how big a personality he was” – SP Charan’s emotional video message on the immense love by fans

SPB’s connect with fans stretched across decades, generations and cultural borders. He left a lasting imprint on many with his ageless voice and prodigious output. The versatile singer hailed as the “singing moon” by his millions of fans was laid to rest at his farmhouse near here on Saturday with a 24-gun salute by the Tamil Nadu police. Around two dozen armed reserve policemen from the Tamil Nadu police, dressed in the ceremonial attire, paid their respects by firing three rounds into the air while his mortal remains were being lowered into the ground.

After the singer’s son S P Charan performed the funeral rites amid chants by priests the singer was laid to rest at his farm house at Tamaraipakkam. Director Bharathiraja, actor Vijay, producer-actor Pyramid Natarajan, TV anchor ‘Kalyanamalai’ Mohan, state minister Mafoi Pandiarajan and music composer Devi Sri Prasad were among those who attended the funeral service. 

With policemen, their rifles tucked under their arms marching along, the body was brought on a traditional hay-lined bier to the final resting place on the verdant premises from a ‘pandal’ earmarked for people to pay homage and perform rituals. The farmhouse at Tamaraipakkam in Tiruvallur district teemed with his fans, well-wishers and celebrities for the funeral since early morning and 500 police personnel were deployed to regulate the crowd.

“Dad is now happy. He has recovered and is breathing well, here in Thamaraipakkam garden where he is resting,” said singer SP Balasubrahmanyam’s son, SP Charan, on Sunday.

Sharing that it has been overwhelming to see the number of people who turned up to pay their respects to his father at the funeral, Charan said, “We (the family) have been celebrating him as our father but we didn’t know him as SPB. We didn’t know how big a personality he was.” SPB’s funeral was held at his family property at Thamaraipakkam, which comes under Tiruvallur district. On Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had said that the legendary singer will be laid to rest with full police honours.