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It was around 1972/73. I was around 10 years old. My father was a Railways employee in Kharagpur and three of us - my parents and I were traveling in a first class coach having 4 berths by Howrah mail to Madras, a 2 night journey, for Deepavali holidays. (1/n) #RIPSPBSir
Next day, the train reached Waltair jn. (Vishakapatnam today) around noon. My uncle's family who lived there met us at the station with a huge basket of sumptuous lunch. Just as the train was leaving the platform, a young man rushed in and took the empty berth.(2/n) #RIPSPBSir
After settling down in his berth, the young man introduced himself as Balu, a playback singer. He was going to Madras for recording a Tamil song next day. We invited him to share our lunch and he readily agreed. The fun started after lunch. (3/n) #RIPSPBSir
After regaling us with some stories, he started singing some lovely songs in Telugu and Tamil. We didn't know the songs as such but they were undoubtedly melodious. What we didn't realise was our privilege at that time. (4/n) #RIPSPBSir
At Vijayawada station, a friend met him with some lovely home cooked dinner which he generously shared with us. He also bought me some chocolate bars from a hawker. After dinner, he pulled out a brown paper packet, a glass, and requested my parent's permission. (5/n) #RIPSPBSir
My parents were surprised "You are a singer. Doesn't your voice get affected?" He laughed and replied "Oh no, not at all. In fact it helps me sleep well at night before a recording which is very important." (6/n) #RIPSPBSir
The songs continued after dinner. More boisterous now, some delightful Kishore Kumar and many soulful Rafi numbers. My mother was into Hindi film music and joined him for a few duets. It was an unbelievable private concert and went on quite late into the night. (7/n) #RIPSPBSir
Next day early morning, as the train pulled into Madras central and I was still groggy, he said good bye to my parents who wished him luck with his recording. He patted my head walked off briskly. I never met him again. A few years later, I shifted to Madras. (8/n) #RIPSPBSir
By now he was not just a popular singer but the voice of a generation. For school kids like me growing up in Madras in the 70s onwards, his voice was all around us. Day in and out. I am now 57 years old. Daily when I am out walking, his voice accompanies me. (9/n) #RIPSPBSir
As it will tomorrow. And every day thereafter. We all have our top #SPB songs but what I will forever cherish is the special music session by a legend on a train between Vishakapatnam and Madras and for me an absolute privilege. (10/n) #RIPSPBSir
