SP Balasubrahmanyam Statue Row: Telangana Activist Objects, NRIs Divided on Regional Identity vs Shared Telugu Legacy

Hyderabad, December 3, 2025 – A decision by the Telangana government to install a statue of the legendary singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) at Hyderabad’s prestigious Ravindra Bharati has sparked, once again, opened old regional fault lines, with a section of Telangana activists opposing the move and many Telugu NRIs expressing mixed reactions.

The bronze life-size statue of the Padma Vibhushan awardee is set to be unveiled on December 15. SPB, born in Konetampet near Tirupati (present-day Andhra Pradesh), is widely regarded as one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, having recorded over 40,000 songs in multiple languages.

Telangana activist and writer Prithviraj has questioned the priority given to SPB over local cultural icons deeply associated with the Telangana statehood movement. In posts that have gone viral among Telugu diaspora groups, he argued that revolutionary balladeer Gaddar and cultural stalwart Andeshri, who devoted their lives to the Telangana cause, deserve precedence at Ravindra Bharati – the state’s premier cultural auditorium.

“Telangana fought for decades for its identity. Our cultural spaces should first celebrate those who sang the pain and pride of this soil,” Prithviraj wrote.

The statement has sparked heated debates in NRI WhatsApp and Facebook groups, especially in the United States, Canada, UK, and Gulf countries. While some NRIs from Telangana background supported the activist’s sentiment, a larger number condemned the objection as “petty regionalism” that dishonours a singer who belongs to every Telugu household irrespective of the 2014 border.

Veteran actor Shubhalekha Sudhakar, who came out strongly in defence of the statue, received thousands of supportive messages from the diaspora. “SPB garu’s voice united Telugus across the world long before anyone thought of bifurcation. Opposing his statue in the name of region is an insult to millions of his fans living abroad,” he said.

Many NRIs pointed out that SPB performed countless charity concerts for Telugu associations in the US, Australia, and the Middle East, and was bestowed honorary memberships by several overseas Telugu organisations during his lifetime.

A senior official from the Telangana Culture Department confirmed to NRIGlobe that the unveiling will proceed as scheduled. “Separate plans are in place to honour Gaddar, Andeshri, and other Telangana icons at suitable locations. Honouring SP Balasubrahmanyam does not diminish anyone else,” the official said.

As the December 15 ceremony approaches, the controversy serves as a reminder to the global Telugu diaspora that while political borders may have changed in 2014, the emotional and cultural bonds woven by artists like SP Balasubrahmanyam continue to transcend state lines. For millions of Telugus living abroad, SPB remains a shared treasure – a voice that feels like home, no matter which side of the border one’s family hails from.

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