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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& #39;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& #39;t know the songs as such but they were undoubtedly melodious. What we didn& #39;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& #39;s permission. (5/n) #RIPSPBSir
My parents were surprised "You are a singer. Doesn& #39;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
