PB Srinivas, one of the legends in cinema, passed away today at the age of 82, after a brief illness. The veteran breathed his last, at his residence in CIT Nagar, Chennai.

He has sung in all the four South Indian languages, and Hindi as well. Of all the people he has lent his voice for, he was most popular for the songs he had sung for Gemini Ganesan, and Kannada actor Rajkumar. He was popularly known as PBS, and he last sung for the 2010 movie, Aayirathil Oruvan. PB Srinivas won many awards in his lifetime, and always remained one of the most regarded of singers! He is survived by a daughter and two sons.

Kollyinsider.com prays for the veteran's soul to rest in peace, and for his family to find the strength to overcome this huge loss!

More about him

Veteran playback singer PB Srinivas who rendered more than 3,000 songs in eight languages is no more. Srinivas breathed his last at his Saidapet residence in Chennai on Sunday afternoon.

He was 82 and survived by two sons and daughter.It was said that Srinivas was not keeping well for the last few days. Srinivas was born in Kakinada on September 22, 1930 to Phanindra Swamy and Seshagiryamma. He rendered 3,000 songs in eight languages including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayam, Hindi.

He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai last week and later discharged from the hospital. It was said that Srinivas collapsed after having bath on Sunday afternoon. His last rites will be performed in Chennai on Monday.His full name was Prathivadhi Bhayankara Srinivas. His melodious voice was most suitable for Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan.
In a way he was known as the voice of Rajkumar till the Kannada Matinee idol himself turned a singer. The famous song – Naavaaduva Nudiye Kannada nudi – from Gandhadha Gudi is evergreen among the music lovers. The other melodies such as ‘Olave Jeevana Sakshathkaara’ from film Sakshathkaara, ‘Aadisi nodu beelisi nodu uruli hogadhu’ from film Kasthoorinivasa, ‘Nagu Naguthaa nail nali’ from film Bangaradha Manushya will remain most favorite songs of music lovers.

His contribution as playback singer for the success of films such as Babruvahana, Bhaktha Kanakadasa, Emme Thammanna, Vijayanagaradha Veeraputra, etc cannot be ignored. Some of his best songs include ‘Yaar Yaar Avar Yaaro’ from Tamil film Pasamalar, ‘Neeli Kannula Needala Lona,’ from Telugu film Gudigantalu, ‘Januma Janumadha Anubandha’ from Kannada film Saakshaathkara and ‘Yellu Hogalla’ from Kannada film Gandhadha Gudi. His last song was for Tamil film ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’, released in 2010.
It was said the delay in his return from Singapore had facilitated Dr Rajkumar to become a playback singer. He was supposed to sing songs for film Sampathige Savaal. Dr Rajkumar became popular by rendering the song ‘Yaare Koogaadali’ for film Sampathige Savaal. It was said that PBS had insisted music director to retain that song rendered by Dr Rajkumar.

He has sung songs with P Susheela, S Janaki, P Bhanumathi, K Jamuna Rani, L R Eswari. He had the opportunity to sing with Lata Mangeskar for Hindi film Main Bhi Ladki Hoon. He had rendered devotional songs too. Sharadha Bhujanga Sthothram, Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham, Mukunda Mala, Shri Mallikarjuna Sthothram and Puranadaradasa compositions are the best.He made debut as playback singer in Sandalwood with film ‘Jaathakaphala’ and in Bollywood with film 'Sampat' at the age of 22. Known for humility and simplicity, PBS had the habit of having many pens in his pocket. He used to write a lyric instantaneously on request and sing on the stage itself whenever he used to participate in functions.
Recently, Bangalore Press Club had felicitated him by organizing a music programme PBS Rasasanje. Local playback singers sung a few selected songs rendered by PBS. He was the playback singer for Dr Rajkumar till the latter became playback singer.

He had the privilege of rendering around 200 songs for Dr Rajkumar.Condoling the sad demise of veteran playback singer, music director Hamsalekha has said the USP of PBS was melodious voice. “I became his fan after listening songs from the film Bhaktha Kanakadasa. He was adept at singing tough songs with ease,’’ said Hamsalekha.