Spouse and the Playback Singer!

This happened almost a decade ago...
Spouse came back home a little earlier than usual...one day.....
And he kept smiling to himself...
All evening long!
I had never seen him so smug and satisfied....ever..

What are you smiling about?... I had to ask...
And then he told me..

He had gone to Woodlands...the Drive-in..that is now no more...
There he saw PB Sreenivas....the playback singer...
The one with the different voice....
Very popular in the Tamil movies of the late 50s and 60s....

PBS was just finishing his meal....
This was not the first time that Spouse had seen him there...
There were both regulars at that place!
Somehow..this time...
Spouse picked up courage...
Walked up to PBS at his table...and....
Seated himself there...

And then Spouse told PBS...
You are my favourite playback singer...
Today you are going to do something for me...
Today you are going to sing....
ONLY for me...

PBS was a real sport...
Which song should I sing? he asked..

Spouse wanted...
Nilavey yennidam nerungathe...
Nee ninaikkum edathil naan illai....
And he sang!!! A special performance only for Spouse...

It must have been pure magic....
The artiste-fan relationship is a special one indeed...
And Spouse treasured that meeting...

This morning...
Spouse was downcast...
PBS had passed away on Sunday...Tamil New Year's day....
He was 82...just...
And the papers had a report this morning...
Avar indha idathai vitteh poivittar...
Said Spouse who is usually bereft of such flowery forms of expression...

RIP PBS....