Veteran singer-actor SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away Friday, leaving fans all over the world heartbroken. As tributes poured in and many shared personal interactions with the singer, one story stood out - that of a little boy who was witness to an impromptu musical session during a train journey in the early 70s. Businessperson K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) tweeted a story from his childhood about how he happened to meet Balasubrahmanyam during his Diwali vacations while travelling to Chennai from Howrah in a train. Vaitheeswaran wrote about how the artiste impressed his family with his talent, and that they didn't realise their "privilege at that time". "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," he wrote. "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," he continued. "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," reminisced Vaitheeswaran. He said the singer then sang many other songs, including hits by Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. 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 — K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) September 25, 2020 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 — K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) September 25, 2020 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 — K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) September 25, 2020 It was after a few years, when Balasubrahmanyam became famous, that Vaitheeswaran says he realised what a privilege it was to have that memory. "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. As it will tomorrow. And every day thereafter," he added. Concluding that there are many favourite hits by the legendary singer, he said he "will forever cherish the special music session" on the train. 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 — K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) September 25, 2020 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 — K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) September 25, 2020 The story moved many, with others also remembering the singer's down to earth nature. Lovely experience! Life just throws such golden nuggets at as when we least expect it. What a personalised way to remember the great SPB! — Kamalam (@KamalamMadhuram) September 26, 2020 You are indeed the chosen one! I am sure you have recollected how special you really were, and with every passing day since then that feeling must have only multiplied by leaps. I totally envy you Sir. — Vish Sahasranamam (@VishForge) September 26, 2020 Vaithee Respect and Jealousy. — AD #TheOneHourMentor (@anaggh) September 25, 2020 Wow.. an experience of a lifetime! — Srinivasan Sivabalan (@SriniSivabalan) September 25, 2020 Sir, what a lovely flash back. I am sure the memories will stay on for a lifetime! — Rahul Dayama (@dayamarahul) September 25, 2020 wow.thanks for sharing.we could literally imagine that travel n SPB's singing — Devi Yogha (@DeviYogha) September 25, 2020 Seeing countless such stories today - all of them pointing to how good a human being he is and was! Made music accessible even to people who are musically illiterate like me! Word legend is easily thrown about these days. But, true legend! #RIPSPBSir — Jaiganesh Raman (@jaiganesh0609) September 25, 2020 Either south or north east or west, have gained respect and love from every nook and corner . A legend will be really missed by every music admirer, His cherubic celestial mesmerising voice will remain always with us 🙏 — Prasoon (@Prasoon44201058) September 25, 2020 A personal concert from #SPBalasubrahmanyam - how envious I feel and truly reflects what a humble, gentle, kind soul he was. — Minal (@Granger_Gab) September 26, 2020 However, this is not the only heartwarming story about the 74-year-old singer melting hearts online. Another video of him surprising one of his fans - a visually-impaired man, is being widely shared online. Soulful, Pure, Benevolent. #SPB #SPBalasubrahmanyam pic.twitter.com/PIoFPhvnB0 — Revathi (@revathitweets) September 25, 2020 As posts and videos of SP Balasubrahmanyam's humility continued to set social media abuzz, old footage of him touching the feet of the porters carrying him to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala also started doing the rounds of social media. This video has visuals of Legendary singer #SPBalasubramanyam garu touching the feet of persons who carry him from Pambai point to Lord Ayyappan temple in Sabari malai such is his humbleness and greatness long live S.P.B name and fame #RIPSPB pic.twitter.com/wZYADiKcJI — BARaju (@baraju_SuperHit) September 25, 2020
