Hindustani vocalist makes a cultural statement with his labour of love
Mangaluru: In a musical homage to the late playback legend S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB), a singer from Mangaluru has etched his name into the Golden Book of World Records by rendering SPB's iconic songs for a full 24 hours without a break—well, almost.
Yashwant M.G., an acclaimed Hindustani vocalist and music teacher, took on the marathon challenge to mark SPB's birth anniversary on June 4. Beginning at precisely 3 PM on June 3, his voice did not fall silent until the clock struck 3 PM the next day—celebrating the very man whose voice shaped the soundscape of Indian cinema for decades.
Supported by a dedicated live band and a quietly focused team, Yashwant's performance was not just a test of vocal endurance—it was a labour of love and a cultural statement. It paid tribute to a singer who delivered over 40,000 songs across 16 languages and left an indelible legacy in the world of music.
A carefully orchestrated tribute
The performance, titled Baalagaana Yashoyana (roughly translated as 'Journey of Victory through Childhood Songs'), was meticulously planned and professionally executed. Every hour, the team followed an official rule: five minutes of break time allowed for hydration, light meals, and vocal rest. Yet, as Yashwant later said, 'The music gave me more energy than any food could.'
Accompanying Yashwant was a band of seasoned musicians: Rajagopal on guitar, Deepak Jayasheelan on keyboard, Vaman K. on drums and rhythm, Prajwal Acharya on tabla, Varsha Basrur on flute, and Sumukh Acharya on sitar. Together, they maintained the sonic flow of the performance with admirable finesse.
Each song chosen came from SPB's vast and beloved discography—ranging from soulful classical numbers to peppy film tracks across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. While the challenge demanded physical stamina, Yashwant said the emotional impact of the songs posed the greater challenge. 'I grew up with SPB's voice. Singing his songs one after another made me relive my entire musical journey,' he said.
Official recognition
To ensure authenticity, D. Manish Vishnoi, Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, was present to oversee the event and certify the attempt. According to him, this 24-hour uninterrupted musical feat was among the most disciplined and emotionally resonant record attempts he had witnessed. Interestingly, the previous record involved a 12-hour performance of singer Mukesh's Hindi film songs sung in Marathi. Yashwant's effort, therefore, not only broke that benchmark but did so with pan-Indian linguistic representation—true to SPB's multilingual legacy.
Who is Yashwant MG?
The singer behind this feat is no stranger to accolades. A Hindustani classical vocalist trained under the late Madhav Acharya and Pandit Mahabaleshwar Bhagwat, Yashwant holds postgraduate degrees in Sanskrit, Kannada, History, and Hindi. He currently serves as an examiner at Gangubai Hangal Music University in Mysuru.
His career has included stints in the NCC Army (18th Karnataka Battalion), and he is deeply rooted in the Vedic and Sanskrit priestly traditions. Musically, he has bagged top honours in various national TV reality shows—including ETV's Edetumbi Haaduvenu (2005), Suvarna TV's Confident Star Singer (2008), and Udaya TV's Sangeetha Mahayuddha (2010).
He also composed the full-length Vande Mataram anthem for a world record attempt in 2018, and debuted as a film music director in the Kannada movie Kanasu Kannu Teredaga. In 2024, he reached the semifinals of Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. To date, Yashwant has performed over 3,000 concerts globally and trained more than 5,000 students in Indian music.
More than a record
While the Golden Book of World Records will formally verify and certify the feat in the coming days, the emotional and musical resonance of the event is already being felt across the region. For many attendees, it felt like SPB himself had briefly returned, his spirit channelled through another devoted voice. 'I did not feel sleepy, nor did my voice waver,' Yashwant said after the final song. 'It was as though SPB himself gave me the strength to complete this journey.' In a world that often chases headlines, this was a moment that chased history—and sang it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
37 minutes ago
- India Gazette
IICT, University of York sign MoU to foster talent in creative technologies
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 14 (ANI): The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) formalised a partnership with the University of York, United Kingdom, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai on Saturday. This partnership aims to open new frontiers across future-ready disciplines, including Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), filmmaking, and design, per the press note shared by IICT. The collaboration involves CoStar Live Lab, a research lab led by the University of York. The partnership will focus on dual-degree pathways, joint curriculum development, startup incubation, and immersive learning experiences designed to nurture India's next generation of creative technologists and storytellers, stated the press note. The agreement, signed by Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, and Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York, spans a five-year term and aims to significantly enhance the academic and professional scope for Indian learners. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, said, 'This MoU represents not just an academic partnership but a shared vision for the future of creative education. We are thrilled to collaborate with an institution of York's global repute. Together, we aim to empower Indian students with international exposure and transformative opportunities in creative technologies,' as quoted in a press note. Professor Charlie Jeffery commented, 'We are delighted to join hands with IICT in this exciting venture. The creative industries are global in nature, and this partnership enables students in both India and the UK to benefit from shared expertise, cutting-edge research, and real-world innovation. It's an important step in developing talent that will shape the future of storytelling and digital experience.' This partnership is expected to add momentum to India's ambition of becoming a global hub for creative technology education and innovation. With the University of York joining the growing list of global collaborators at IICT, the institute continues to build an impressive global academic network to train and empower India's creative and digital talent pool, as per the IICT press note. (ANI)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
5 must-attend workshops in Mumbai for art lovers
Mumbai's June calendar is brimming with creative workshops, offering a diverse range of artistic experiences. From Hindustani classical music appreciation to experimental clay art and a sewing festival focused on sustainability, there's something for everyone. Budding poets can explore verbal expression, while macramé enthusiasts can craft boho-chic wall hangings, fostering skill development and creative collaboration. If you want to stimulate your appetite for imagination this month, Mumbai is abuzz with exclusive events that incorporate learning, artistic excellence and self expression. These five meticulously chosen activities, which range from poetry and ceramics to sewing and music, are sure to add richness to your schedule in June. Soul of Sound: A Hindustani Classical Music Appreciation Workshop Explore the dynamic realm of Hindustani classical music with this captivating session conducted by Arti Havaldar and Milind Singh. It provides a fascinating musical voyage through swaras, ragas, and rhythm cycles, making it ideal for novices and music lovers (ages 8+). You'll leave with a newfound appreciation for Indian classical music after experiencing live performances and vocal observations. Experimental Clay Art & Ceramics Workshop – Studio Karva Take part in this interactive ceramic session at Studio Karva to tap into your inner sculptor. The workshop provides a hands-on, cathartic getaway from the everyday grind, regardless of your proficiency in wheel throwing, hand-building, or surface texturing. The class, which is led by artist Rashi, promotes clay and ceramic experimentation through intuition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Beginners are encouraged to attend and all necessary supplies and equipment will be provided. Deconstructing Poetry: Reading Between the Lines Creative young minds (ages 12 to 16) are invited to delve into the intricate world of verbal expression and poetry in this workshop, which is led by renowned educator and author Anjali Karpe. Towards the end of the class, students will be able to comprehend voice and flow, read between the lines, and even write their own personal poetry. Perfect for aspiring poets and bright dreamers. Sewing Festival India – The hab by Usha Anybody interested in sewing and restoring should attend The Hab's Sewing Festival, an intensive three-day celebration of fabric, style and sustainability. The workshop balances enthusiasm and impact with daily engaging tasks including reusing leftover fabric into patches, stitching clothing, and creating totes, as well as insightful discussions on sustainable design. Macramé Wall Hanging Workshop – Desi Art Studio This beginner-friendly session is held in a cozy café, where you get to create your very own customised boho-chic macramé beauty. Discover how to tie knots, personalise your pattern, and leave with a wall hanging that you can show off with pride. All the necessary materials are provided, and also include vouchers for refreshments, ensuring the workshop is both gratifying and calming. Thumb Image Courtesy: istock One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Rugby Premier League will transform the sport both on-field and off-field, says Rugby India President Rahul Bose
Rahul Bose had a dream. Being a former rugby player himself, he wanted the current lot of Indian players to rub shoulders with international stars, showcase their talents and help the game grow. For seven years, he made several efforts to launch a league for rugby, first as a former player, later as the President of Rugby India. It wasn't a smooth ride for the Indian actor as convincing people to invest in the sport wasn't easy. It took hours of meetings, endless discussions and crossing all hurdles to finally launch the world's first franchise-based Rugby 7s league. And when the Rugby Premier League eventually gets underway at the Andheri Sports Complex from Sunday, it will, indeed, be a dream come true for Bose, the rugby fraternity and all the players who waited for years for this moment. With GMR coming on board as the title sponsor and GMR Sports becoming the joint organiser of the league along with Rugby India, RPL went on to attract some of the biggest names in the world of rugby. And with six franchises coming in, it has managed to put up some star-studded teams, with a perfect mix of overseas and Indian players. Bose terms this as 'transformational'. 'There will be two kinds of transformation that will happen - one is on the field, and the other off the field. On the field, it will be about how these guys recover, how they get ready for the next game, how they take failure in their stride, and how the top players in the world handle exhaustion, or maybe a bad refereeing decision. Secondly, it will be off the field and it will be the culture,' Bose told Sportstar. 'How do you conduct yourself when you are not playing? What kind of impression do you carry of yourself when you are presenting yourself to the outer world? Though both these don't happen directly, but through osmosis, it has already happened for the last two weeks. I can see a change already…' In the ever-changing sporting landscape, sustaining a franchise-based league isn't easy, and for a sport which is still considered 'niche', the challenge is always more. 'How to make the RPL sustainable? Of course, you have to have sponsors and media interest. But you'll only get sponsors and media interest once you have a great broadcaster like Jio Hotstar, and once you have a great product. Nobody knows what kind of numbers this league is going to garner. Nobody knows. It's completely virgin territory. So, we will have to see,' Bose, also a noted actor, said. 'All we can do is make sure that at no point in time do we say, 'Oh, we should have done this, and it would have been better'. At this point of time, we are maximising everything. There will be a full house tomorrow…' Rahul Bose and Satyam Trivedi with the franchise owners of the Rugby Premier League 2025. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT 'Best players in the world, broadcast in Jio Hotstar, World Rugby commentators, World Rugby match referees, match commissioners, medical commissioners. We have everything that we could get. Beyond this, we will just have to wait and watch. We have full faith in the product. I think Rugby 7s, without a shadow of doubt, is one of the most exciting television sports in the world,' he added. While the focus will be on the 30 marquee international players, it will be an opportunity for the Indian players to emerge as household names. 'I do think that a league will accelerate the platforming of this sport on mass media, on OTT and television, because otherwise nobody else was prepared to show it. We were just relegated to the sidelines of one or two webcasts. But this will put out the attractiveness of the sport. And hopefully that will result in more and more people sponsoring Indian Rugby, wanting to back us on television, on OTT,' Bose said. 'So the spillover effect of the RPL obviously has to happen into the larger ecosystem of Indian Rugby. That's something that we have to do. As a federation, we are ready for that…' ALSO READ | UTT 2025: After meteoric rise in world table tennis, Kanak Jha eyes home glory at the LA Olympics Being a former India player and an actor of repute, Bose brings a lot of experience and credibility to the table. But did being a 'known name' actually make things slightly easier? But Bose has a different take. 'I think a known face can help or harm a product,' Bose said, adding: 'If you believe that the person is just doing it for money and there's no connection, then it harms the product. If you believe, 'no, this guy is from this ecosystem and there's a lot of authenticity to what he or she is saying', then it helps…' 'I never talk unless I have something to say. So, I am very, very certain that celebrity endorsement can work both ways. But in this case, I'm not a celebrity. This (the sport) is my childhood, this is my youth. My 30s and my 40s, have all been on a rugby field. So for me, it's like breathing,' he said. In his long playing career, he had a ringside view of the sport, and now, as an administrator, this is perhaps Bose's biggest moment - fulfilling a dream and also sustaining the new league on the block. It's kickoff time!
