Body of veteran singer consigned to flames

The mortal remains of veteran playback singer P B Srinivas was today consigned to flames, as hundreds of his fans bade him a tearful farewell.
The celebrated multi-lingual singer's eldest son lit the funeral pyre amid chanting of mantras during the last rites performed as per Hindu rituals at the Kannamapettai burial ground this afternoon, sources said.
State Minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji and Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy were among those who paid their tributes and attended the funeral.
Several playback singers from southern tinsel world, including Vani Jayaram, P Suseela and S Janaki, took part in the funeral of 82-year-old Srinivas, who died after a brief illness yesterday at his CIT Nagar residence here.

The family members chose to conduct the funeral using firewood and did not opt for the electric furnace, sources close to the family told PTI.
Popularly known as PBS, the veteran singer lent his voice in all four South Indian languages besides Hindi.

He was the voice of Kannada film icon Rajkumar and Tamil veteran Gemini Ganesan.
Srinivas' famous numbers 'Kaalangalil Aval Vasantham' and 'Mayakkama Thayakkama', among many others, are still hummed and remain in his fans' hearts.
A native of Andhra Pradesh, his last song was in Tamil film 'Ayirathil Oruvan' in 2010.
Srinivas was honoured with various awards including the state government's Kalaimamani Award.