P. B. Sreenivas

P.B. Sreenivas
Dr. P.B. Sreenivas
Background information
Native name	ప్రతివాది భయంకర శ్రీనివాస్ (పి.బి.శ్రీనివాస్)
Birth name	Prativadi Bhayankara Sreenivas
Also known as	PBS, PB Srinivas, PB Sreenivos
Born	(1930-09-22)22 September 1930 Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Died	14 April 2013(2013-04-14) (aged 82) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Genres	Playback singing, Carnatic music, Ghazal
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1951-2013

Prathivadi Bhayankara Sreenivas (22 September 1930 – 14 April 2013) was a veteran playback singer from India. He was born in Kakinada in East Godavri District of Andhra Pradesh. He had sung around 3000 songs in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Tulu and Konkani films. He was known for his playback singing in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil film industries. He had sung in all the main languages of the country but it is in Kannada that he has the highest number of songs in his career. He died on 14 April 2013 at the age of 82 in Chennai.

Biography

Prathivadhi Bhayankara Sreenivas was born to Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Phanindraswamy and Seshagiriamma in Kakinada, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a musician. His father wanted him to become a government officer and Sreenivas was awarded a B.Com(Bachelor of Commerce) degree and then passed the Hindi Visharad Exams of the South Indian Hindi Spreading Society (Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha).

In an interview, Sreenivas said that it was through his mother's singing that he knew of Indian classical music. During his educational days, he had a habit of hearing radio. Mohammed Rafi was his favourite singer. His uncle, Kidambi Krishnaswamy, was a drama artist and a singer. When Sreenivas was 12, Krishnaswamy gave him a chance to sing in a drama. When Phanindraswamy asked an astrologer about this, he told that Sreenivas did not have a bright future in music field. But, instead of believing in the astrologer's words, he believed in his son's confidence.

Later, Sreenivas went to Gemini Studios, Madras. Emani Sankara Sastry, a famous veena player, was one of the residing musicians. Sastry was also one of the family friends of Sreenivas. He introduced Sreenivas to S. S. Vasan, the owner of Gemini Studios. There, Sreenivas sang a super hit song sung by Mohammed Rafi, his favourite singer. It was "Huye Hum Jinke Liye Barbad", from Deedar (1951), composed by Naushad Ali.

Sreenivas made his début in 1952 in Gemini's Hindi film Mr. Sampat. Sreenivas sang duets and triplets with Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Jikki apart from leading a chorus song. His first song "Aji hum Bharat ki naari", a duet with Geeta Dutt, became popular. 'Mr. Sampat' based on the novel in the same name, written by R. K. Narayan. Later, with the help of Jeeva, the sound recordist of 'Mr. Sampat', Sreenivas entered the South Indian Film Industry. R. Nagendra Rao, a well known actor and director of that time in South Indian film industry, made a trilingual film in all the South Indian languages except Malayalam. The movie was titled Jathakam in Tamil, Jathakaphalam in Telugu and Jathakaphala in Kannada. In all these languages, Sreenivas sang two songs each.

In Kannada, he achieved great success through Bhakta Kanakadasa starring Super Star Dr.Rajkumar. The song Baagilanu teredu of the film was a very big hit. Later he went on to sing greatest numbers for Super Star Dr.Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, Kalyan Kumar, Udaya Kumar and others. His first solo hit came in the movie Prema Pasam in which he also sang a duet with P. Susheela. His first song for Rajkumar was in 1956 film Ohileshwara. Later he sang for the Super Star for a long time and the association was highly appreciated by critics, fans and the industry. In the Tamil industry, his maximum number of songs are for Gemini Ganesan. The most memorable hit of this duo was 'Nilave ennidam nerungathe'. He had sung for other actors as well but incidentally, he had sung very few songs for M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.He sang the popular duet in Hindi Chanda Se Hoga Wo Pyaara (with Lata Mangeshkar) in the film Main Bhi Ladki Hoon in 1964. In Tamil his voice was more used for actors Gemini Ganeshan, Muthuraman, Ravichandran, Jaishankar.

In Pava Mannippu, Sreenivas sang "Kalangalil Aval Vasantham" written by Kannadasan and set to music by the music duo M. S. Viswanathan - T. K. Ramamoorthy. The film Adutha Veettuppen of Anjali Pictures carried some of his songs. Sreenivas has also sung with P.Susheela, S. Janaki, P. Bhanumathi, K. Jamuna Rani, L. R. Easwari and Lata Mangeshkar for the movie Main Bhi Ladki Hoon and some North Indian Singers. His devotional songs include "Sharadha Bhujanga Stothram", "Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham", "Mukunda Mala", "Shri Mallikarjuna Stotram" and Purandaradasa compositions. His "home away from home" was the Woodlands Drive-In restaurant in Chennai where one could frequently spot him sit quietly writing poetry.^[1] He had headed many music related organizations such as being the president of Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram.

Sreenivas entered Malayalam film industry within two years after entering the other three South Indian film industries. There are confusions that in which film did he first sing in Malayalam. There are two arguments. The first argument is that his first Malayalam song was in Amma (1952), while the other argument it was in Puthradharmam (1954). But, his actual first Malayalam song was in Harischandra (1955), as said by Sreenivas himself in an interview. The song was 'Mahal Thyagame Mahithame Ninte Margam', written by Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair and composed by Brother Lakshmanan. He sang many songs in Malayalam too, even though the number is very less while compared to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. They include Malar Thorum Mandahasam Viriyunnathenthinakam, Kannum En Kannumay, Innu Kaanum Ponkinakkal, Kanneerenthinu Vanambadi, Kanmoo Njan Ninte, Kaninaal Kaanmathellam, Niranja Kannukalode, Mamalakalkkappurathu Marathakappattuduthu, Padinjare Manathulla, Geethe Hridayasakhi Geethe, Thulasi Thulasi Vilikelkoo, Vanadevathamare Vidanalkoo, Kizhakku Kizhakkorana, etc. Most of his Malayalam songs were composed by M. S. Baburaj and G. Devarajan.

Though Sreenivas had hit numbers in all the languages that he sang, it was in the Kannada Film Industry that he sang the highest number of songs in his career and it was in the Kannada Industry that he delivered the highest number of hit songs. PB Sreenivas ruled the Kannada Industry for over three decades and was the voice for many Super Stars though his combination with Dr.Rajkumar created history.^[2] He was instrumental in shaping the Kannada identity like Dr.Rajkumar and Dr.Vishnuvardhan.^[3]

Dr.P.B.S has sung for many artistes apart from Dr.Rajkumar in Kannada. Noted among them include Kalyan Kumar, Udaykumar, Rajesh, Srinath, Gangadhar, R.N.Sudarshan, Vishnuvardhan, Ranga, K.S.Aswath, Narasimharaju, Balakrishna, Shivaram, Ashok, Jaijagadish, Ramgopal, Sampath, Shankarnag, Rajashankar, Eshwarappa, Panthulu, Ramesh, Dwarakish, Suresh Heblikar, Seetharam, Arunkumar (Gururajulu Naidu), Vasudeva Girimaji, Rathnakar, Kanagal Prabhakar Shastry and many more.

Sreenivas was also a poet. He was fluent in eight languages - Telugu (His mothertongue), Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, English, Sanskrit and Urdu, and wrote poems in all these languages. He sang many poems during many programmes. In 1997, when popular Indian singers K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam came with him to the famous musical meet called 'Lakshman Sruthi', he wrote a poem within a few seconds praising both singers. He learnt Urdu from an Urdu scholar. He wrote two Urdu ghazals for the Tamil movie Nandu (1981), directed by J. Mahendran. They were 'Kaise Kahoon Kuch Kehna Sakoon', sung by Bhupendra and S. Janaki and the other was 'Hum Hain Akele', sung by S. Janaki alone. He also wrote and composed two English poems in 1969, praising the landing of man on the Moon. They were titled 'Man To Moon', a solo by himself and the other was 'Moon To God' a duet with S. Janaki. The gramophone records of these songs were sent to the then United States President Richard Nixon and Neil Armstrong, the man who first landed on the moon. Sreenivas was praised by both people.

His biography named `Madhurya Saarvabhowma Dr. P.B. Srinivos' (penned by R. Srinath) was released on 7 May 2013 at the Palace Grounds, Bangalore by the great Singers Dr. S.P. Balasubramanyam, Vani Jairam and Dr. K.J. Jesudos.

Dr.P.B. Srinivos was conferred with the prestigious title - Madhurya Saarvabhowma by Madhursangeeth, an association composed of Sriyuths S. Jayasimha, R. Srinath, Doddahullur Rukkoji, B.K. Chandrashekhar, G.V. Atri and B.R. Jayaprakash on 24 July 1992 at a function held at Chowdiah Memorial Hall,Bengaluru. This momentous function was attended by the great music directors G.K. Venkatesh, T.G. Lingappa, lyricist Chi Udayashankar, noted Kannada cinema personalities and other dignitaries.

Voice of Dr. Rajkumar

Sreenivas had sung for almost all the superstars of South India, but it was his combination with Kannada Matinee Idol Rajkumar that struck a chord with the audience. He has sung at least 300 super hit numbers for the star. In 50's, 60's and 70's, if it was Dr.Rajkumar, then there had to be songs sung by Dr.PBS. Rajkumar himself had said that his true identity was Sreenivas and his voice would never die but only grow. The late actor once described Sreenivas as his 'dhvani' (voice in Kannada) while he himself was a mere 'shareera' (body in Kannada), summing up how some of the best-known films of the thespian are unimaginable without Sreenivas lending his voice. When Rajkumar was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995, Sreenivas rejoiced as though he had got an award himself. Sreenivas said he was honoured because his "voice" had won a great honour.^[4] Recalling his association with matinee idol, Rajkumar, Sreenivas in his recent interview had mentioned that 'Rajkumar had a golden voice and all his songs are hugely popular. He excelled in singing all types of songs from romantic to heavily classical. But I was his voice for nearly three decades'.^[5] PBS was the voice of Rajkumar, and Rajkumar was the face of PBS is how he would describe Rajumar and himself.^[6] Sreenivas was hence known as the Voice of Rajkumar in South India.^[2]^[7] Until 1974, Sreenivas was Rajkumar's most frequent singing voice in films. However, once when Sreenivas was not available to sing for the movie Sampattige Sawaal, Composer G K Venkatesh encouraged Rajkumar to sing the song Yaare Koogadali that was supposed to be sung by Sreenivas. With that song, Rajkumar restarted his singing career, which had stopped after the movie Ohileshwara. Thus began his journey as the most famous actor-singer that the Indian and Kannada film industry has ever seen.^[8]

Awards

The highest award of Karnataka State, the prestigious Kannada Rajyothsava Award awarded by the Chief Minister of the state^[9]
The Tamil Nadu state's honorary Kalaimamani Award.^[9]
Dr Rajkumar Souhardha award given by the super star's family.^[10]
Karnataka Nadoja Award - constituted by Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka awarded by the then Governor of Karnataka.

Death

Sreenivas died at home in Chennai on 14 April 2013 at the age of 82. He suffered a heart attack.^[2]^[7]^[11]^[12] He was survived by his wife and children.

Filmography

Year	Film	Language	Song
1952	Mr. Sampat	Hindi	Aji hum Bharat ki naari (with Geeta Dutt)
1955	Harishchandra	Malayalam
1955	Rani Ratnaprabha	Telugu
1956	Bhale Ramudu	Telugu
1959	Jayabheri	Telugu
1960	Bhaktha Kanakadaasa	Kannada	Baagilanu Theredu Eethaneega Vasudevano Badukideno Kula Kula Singara Sheela
1960	Bhakta Shabari
1960	Runanubandham	Telugu
1960	Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani	Telugu
1960	Shantinivasam	Telugu
1960	Mannadhi Mannan	Tamil	Nilayo Naano Yaar Nilave
1961	Vijayanagarada Veeraputhra	Kannada	Apaara Keerthi
1961	Iddaru Mitrulu	Telugu
1961	Intiki Deepam Illalu	Telugu
1961	Pasamalar	Tamil	Yaar Yaar Avar Yaaro
1961	Pava Mannippu	Tamil	Kalangalil Aval
1961	Thirudathe
1961	Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam	Telugu
1962	Atma Bandhuvu	Tamil
1962	Swarna Gowri	Kannada	Baara Chandrama Nudi Mana Baare Nee Cheluve Beeso Gaali
1962	Bhishma	Telugu	Manasuloni Korika Telusu Neeku Premika
1962	Dakshayagnam	Telugu
1962	Bale Pandiya	Tamil	Adhi Manithan Athi Kai Kai
1962	Kula Gothralu	Telugu	Rave Rave Bala Hello My Dear Leela
1962	Raktha Sambandham	Telugu
1962	Veera Thirumagan	Tamil	Paadatha Paatellam Roja Malarae
1962	Paasam	Tamil	Malaiyum Iravum Paal Vaanam Paruvam
1963	Chaduvukunna Ammayilu	Telugu
1963	Lava Kusha	Telugu
1963	Paar Magale Paar	Tamil	Aval Paranthu Ponale Madhurai Nagaril Madura Nagaril
	Ninamaninja Kalppadukal	Malayalam	Mamalakalkkappurathu Padinjare Manathulla
1964	Main Bhi Ladki Hoon	Hindi	Chanda Se Hoga Wo Pyaara (with Lata Mangeshkar)
1964	Bobbili Yudham	Telugu
1964	Dr. Chakravarthy	Telugu
1964	Server Sundaram	Tamil	Poga Poga Theriyum
1964	Kaadhalikka Neramillai	Tamil	Anubavam Puthumai Viswanathan Velai Vendum Unga Ponnana Kaigal
1965	Gudi Gantalu	Telugu	Neeli Kannula Needala Lona
1965	Preminchi Choodu	Telugu	Meda Meeda Meda Katti Kotlu Koodabettinatti Kamandu Mee Andala Chetulu Kandenu Papam
1965	Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima	Telugu	Jayahe Mohana Roopa Gaana Kalaapa
1966	Manthralaya Mahatme	Kannada	Indu Enage Govinda Kaliyirondu Paatavannu Tunge Theera Rasika Saalade Neenu Baralilla
1966	Kappu Bilupu	Kannada	Ide Roopa Indina Hindu Deshada
1966	Emme Thammanna	Kannada	Belli Hakki Aguva Kanneradu Kareyuthide Kolalanoodi Kuniva Neenaarigaadeyo Ele Maanava ^[13]
1966	Shri Krishna Pandaviyam	Telugu	Yemitaya Nee Leela Krishna
1967	Bangaarada Hoovu	Kannada	Aaha Mogavu Do Do Do Basavanna Oduva Nadi
1967	Lagna Patrike	Kannada	Bramhachaari Gandu Muthina Chandu Illi Yaaru Illa Kanneradu Nijavo Sullo
1967	Belli Moda ^[14]	Kannada	Belli Modada Ideega Nee Ide Nanna Uthara Odeyithu
1968	Bedi Bandavalu	Kannada	Neera Mele Aleya Ungura
1969	Mayor Muthanna	Kannada	Ayyayyayyo Halli Mukha Haavige Halliyadarenu Shiva Onde Naadu
1970	Arishina Kunkuma	Kannada	Honnaase Ullavage Thaavare Hoo Kere Ilidu Baa Thaaye
1971	Sharapanjara	Kannada	Kodagina Kaveri Uthara Drivadhim
1971	Jai Jawan Jai Kisan	Hindi	Nakhrewali Chaal
1971	Kasthuri Nivasa	Kannada	Aadisi Nodu Beelisi Nodu Aadona ninu nanu
1971	Seetha	Kannada	Ee Cheluvanu Barede Neenu Ninna Hesara
1971	Sampoorna Ramayanam	Telugu	Vedalenu Kodandapani
1971	Paropakaari	Kannada	Hodare Hogu Guttonda Heluve Kaviya Madhura
1971	Sakshathkara	Kannada	Janma Janmada Anubandha Olave Jeevana
1972	Sipayi Ramu	Kannada	Kathe Mugiyithe Nidireyu Sadaa
1972	Naagarahaavu	Kannada	Kannada Naadina Veera Baare Baare Sangama Sangama Kathe Heluve
1972	Bangaaradha Manushya	Kannada	Nagu Nagutha Aagadu Endu Aaha Mysooru Mallige Baala Bangara Hani Hani Goodidare
1973	Doorada Betta	Kannada	Preethine Aa Dyaavru Thanda Kaamanna Kathige
1973	Sangama	Kannada	Sirivanthanaadaru
1973	Gandhada Gudi	Kannada	Ellu hogalla Naavaaduva nudiye Kannada
1974	Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu	Kannada	Malenaada Henna Maariya Gathiyendu
1974	Bhakta Kumbara	Kannada	Naanu Neenu Hari Naamave Manava Lakshmi Sthothram Vitala Panduranga Kande Hariya Kande
1974	Eradu Kanasu	Kannada	Baadi Hoda Endendu Ninnanu Marethu Endu Ninna Noduve Tamnam Tamnam
1974	Jai Jai Ram	Hindi	Lav Kush
1975	Shubha Mangala	Kannada	Shubha Mangala
1975	Daari Tappida Maga	Kannada	Kannanchina ee maathali Haayaadha ee vele Kaapaadu Sri Sathyanarayana	-	1975	Bhakti Mein Bhagwan	Hindi	Dekha Hari Dekha
1977	Sanaadi Appanna	Kannada	Naane thaayi Naane thandhe	1976	Premada Kanike	Kannada	Chinna Endu Naguthiru Putta Putta Hejje
1977	Sose Thanda Sowbhagyaa	Kannada	Ravi Varmana Saaku Ennuvane Eke Avasaravu
1977	Babruvahana	Kannada	Ninna Kanna Notadalli Yaaru Thiliyaru
1977	Thabbali Neenade Magane	Kannada	Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage
1977	Devara Duddu	Kannada	Godhuli Krishna..Gaaliya Patadanthe
1978	Swarna Bhoomi	Kannada	Kaanada Devaru Siri Kannada Naadu
1978	Padvaaralli Pandavaru	Kannada	Haadomme Haadabeku Thookadisi Thookadisi Beeladiru Thamma
1990	Purappadu	Malayalam	Doore Doore Doore
2004	7G Rainbow Colony	Tamil	Idhu Enna Maatram
2010	Aayirathil Oruvan	Tamil	Pemmane

Laxmi Pooja (1979)
Gorantha Deepam (1978)
Jeevana Jyothi (1976)
Seeta Kalyanam (1976)
Chelleli Kapuram (1971)
Saptaswarulu (1969)
Ooty Varai Uravu (1967)
Sakshi (1967)
Letha Manasulu (1966)
Tene Manasulu (1965)

References

External links

P.B. Sreenivas at the Internet Movie Database
Srinivas with Lata Mangeshkar on YouTube

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