The state government is installing a statue of renowned singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam at Ravindra Bharathi

The Telangana government has finally granted permission to install a life-size statue of the legendary singer, Padma Vibhushan Dr SP Balasubrahmanyam, in the premises of Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad. Many feel this honour has come a little late. For over five decades, Balu garu sang more than 40,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, and won six National Awards – a contribution recognised and celebrated across the country. Now, Telangana’s cultural heartbeat, Ravindra Bharathi, will eternally embrace his statue. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for December 15 and it is learnt that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will personally attend and perform the inauguration.

This morning, popular actor and close friend of SPB, Subhalekha Sudhakar, met CM Revanth Reddy and handed over the official invitation. On behalf of Balu garu’s daughter Pallavi and the entire family, Sudhakar expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Minister. Speaking with emotion, he said, “This honour should have happened while Balu garu was still with us… yet we are truly thankful Revanth garu and the government for taking this decision even now – heartfelt thanks from the bottom of our hearts.” The December 15 event is expected see a huge turnout of film industry veterans, music lovers and fans in large numbers. For millions of SPB admirers, this day has been long-awaited and will forever remain etched in their hearts.