S.P Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as SPB or Balu in the film industry, died on Friday in Chennai after losing the fight against COVID-19.
Not many knew SBP played a very important role in embracing the career of former World Chess Champion Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand during his school time but that was indirect.
“Really sad to hear about the passing away of such a great yet simple person. He was my first sponsor! He sponsored our team Chennai Colts (then Madras Colts) in the national team championship in 1983. One of the nicest persons I have met. His music gave us such joy #RIPSPB,” Anand said in a tweet expressing grief on the demise of the famed singer.
“It was a team chess championship held in then Bombay (now Mumbai). Anand won the board prize and qualified for the National B championship and from there he went to National A. After that, his career went up and up,” International Master and one of the Madras Colts team members, T.S.Ravi.
The SBP gave a cheque with which the Madras Colts team went to Mumbai.
