S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki

One of the most popular of the South Indian, Madras-based playback singers, S.P. Balasubramanyam -- or Balasubramaniam since there is often no correct transliteration, only accepted spelling(s) -- has also scored successes in the Hindi film industry as a Hindi-language singer and, since a cameo role in Manathil Urudhi Vendum, as an actor. He made his reputation singing in Tamil and Telugu. Work on Tere Payal Mere Geet with the North Indian music director Naushad further elevated his reputation to that of a national rather than a regional star. ~ Ken Hunt