Hyderabad will pay tribute to legendary singer Dr S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, fondly known as Balu, with the unveiling of his idol at Ravindra Bharathi on the 15th of this month. The event will begin at 10 am and is being organised under the banner of The Music Group Cultural Association.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the association’s president N. Achyuta Ramaraju and secretary B.S. Krishnamurthy, the idol will be unveiled by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Former Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu will also take part in the ceremony. Several Union and State ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and prominent cultural figures are expected to attend.
Among the dignitaries participating are Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, State Ministers Duddilla Sridhar Babu, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkata Reddy, Jupalli Krishnarao and Ponnam Prabhakar. Cultural leaders and elected representatives, including members of national and state cultural bodies, will also be present. After the unveiling, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will address the gathering.
The celebrations will continue in the evening with a special musical tribute titled “Balu Sangeet Swara Neerajanam”, starting at 4 pm. The programme will feature performances by Paduta Tiyaga singers and musicians, along with well-known film music directors such as M.M. Keeravani and Thaman, popular playback singers, and members of Balu’s family.
The organisers noted that The Music Group was founded in 1982 by Dr S.P. Balasubrahmanyam along with music maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Over the decades, the group has conducted hundreds of performances in India and abroad, nurturing generations of musicians. The Swara Neerajanam programme has been closely associated with Balu’s musical legacy for many years.
It was also recalled that Dr Balasubrahmanyam had once expressed a wish to have his statue installed near that of Ghantasala at Ravindra Bharathi. The organisers said they were happy that years of effort had finally resulted in fulfilling that dream.
Music lovers who wish to attend the evening programme can collect entry passes from a special counter at Ravindra Bharathi, which will be open from 3 pm onwards on the 14th.
The organisers said the entire event is dedicated to celebrating the life, music and lasting influence of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.
