Veteran Singer-actor SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away on Fridayy, in a private hospital in Chennai, September 25, due to lung failure and cardiac arrest.

He had a major set back in his health yesterday while recovering from COVID-19. He was 74. SPB’s son SP Charan told reporters at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, "SPB belongs to everyone. He will live on in his songs. My dad passed away at 1.04 pm". His mortal remains will be taken to his farmhouse on the outskirts of Chennai tonight, and he will be laid to rest there post 10:30am tomorrow.

A statement from the hospital read, “Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam had been admitted at MGM Healthcare on August 5th and commenced on life support measures since August 14th for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. He continued to be closely monitored by our multidisciplinary team in the critical care unit. He tested negative for COVID-19 on September 4th. In a further setback this morning, despite maximal life support measures and the best efforts of the clinical team, his condition deteriorated further and he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest. With profound grief, we regret to inform that he has passed away on September 25th at 13:04 Hours. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, well-wishers and admirers at their loss during this time of anguish and sorrow.”

The renowned singer was admitted to the hospital with mild symptoms in early August. Back then, he had posted a video on social media saying he was “perfectly all right”. He was moved to the intensive care unit as his oxygen saturation level dropped. He had been connected to life support since then.

Balasubrahmanyam underwent plasma therapy and physiotherapy at a later stage when his condition seemed to be improving.

He remained on ventilator and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support. But while his condition remained critical, he was stable and responding to doctors.

Aug 5: The renowned singer was admitted to the hospital with mild symptoms. He had posted a video on social media saying he was “perfectly all right”.

Aug 13: SPB was moved to the intensive care unit as his oxygen saturation level dropped. He had been connected to life support since then.

Aug 25: SPB responding well to the treatment and is recovering well from the illness. He is 90 percent out of sedation

Sep 7: Tested negative for COVID-19, watching cricket and tennis matches. However, the legendary singer is still on ventilator.

Sep 19: SPB had begun oral intake of food. “That should help him grow stronger and take care of other vitals as well,” said Charan

Sep 24: A bulletin from MGM Healthcare in Chennai said his condition has deteriorated, warranting maximal life support.

Sep 25: Legendary singer S.P. Balasubramaniam has passed away leaving the entire nation in uttershock and has become the biggest casualty of the coronavirus in the country.

As news of his death broke, music maestro AR Rahman, singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle mourned his loss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said with the demise of SP Balasubrahmanyam, our cultural world is a lot poorer.

His departure to the heavenly abode has left a huge void in the entertainment industry. He is survived by his wife Savithri, daughter Pallavi and son SPB Charan.

SP Balasubrahmanyam was born in Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and later shifted to Madras in the late sixties. He made his singing debut in 1966 with the Telugu movie, 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna'. Though he had sung a few songs for M.S. Viswanathan it was "Aayiram Nilave Vaa" for MGR in 'Adimaipenn' and "Iyarkai Ennum Idhayakani' for Gemini Ganesan in 'Shanti Nilayam' both released in 1969 that brought him fame.

He has sung songs in multiple languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. The entire country, fans, celebrities, film industry and netizens are mourning for his death. They flocked to Twitter and other social media and mourned SP Balasubrahmanyam's demise.

Photo was taken in his last days when physiotherapy was attempted

SPB's mortal remains have been brought to his house at Kamdar Nagar in Nungambakkam Chennai where celebrities and the public would be allowed to pay their last respects.

The residence has started seeing an inflow of fans from nearby areas. Besides friends and industry persons, hundreds of commoners are expected to pay their respects here. Security has been beefed up in anticipation of the arrival of hundreds of visitors.

His last rites will be conducted at his Red Hills farmhouse on the outskirts of Chennai on Saturday.