Babla Mehta

Babla Mehta is an Indian singer for Hindi film scores and singer of bhajans, as well as an accomplished composer and audio engineerfrom delhi

Babla was born to Inderjeet and Raj Rani Mehta, a simple middle-class family with no musical pedigree. His father was a banker who was a fan of Manna Dey. In his early years, Babla developed his passion for music from his father. A quick learner, with a good ear for music, Babla started humming and singing in his teens, but, being shy, he never had the confidence to sing on stage during his school and college days. One day, he corrected a college mate for not hitting right notes while singing a song. The boy took offense and rudely questioned his musical credentials. The incident fueled the resolve in Babla to start singing in public and show the world his capabilities. That was the beginning. After completing his education, he followed in his father’s footsteps to begin a career in banking, though he knew his true calling was music. So he started singing in live music shows. At one such show, music mughal Gulshan Kumar spotted his talent and signed him on to cut a disc. Though he quit his job, he kept the pretense of working until his album was released. Then he broke the news and sought his parents’ blessings. Thus began his journey.

As Singer

Due to the close resemblance of his voice to the legendary singer Mukesh (Mukesh Chand Mathur), Babla began his career recording covers of Mukesh songs for T-Series. Then one day, in 1990, seminal Indian film composer R.D. Burman was passing through Khar, Mumbai, when he heard the song ‘Sajan re jhoothmut bolo’ blaring from an audio cassette shop. Burman commented on how well Mukesh had sung the song, and was surprised to learn it was not Mukesh, but the voice of Babla coming from the shop. He was so impressed he contacted Babla and asked to meet him the very next day. Then Pancham Da took Babla under his wing, and he became a regular singer in Pancham Da’s live shows. Unfortunately, Puncham Da’s failing health delayed his film music debut.

Babla's career in film music took off under the guidance of the music director Shiv-Hari in Yash Raj Film's Chandni in 1989, and Babla's duet "Tere Mere Hoton Pe" with Lata Mangeshkar became his debut song in Hindi films. Soon Babla was singing for leading music directors like Nadeem-Shravan, Rakesh Roshan, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, etc. Some of the blockbusters in which he sang were Chandni, Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi and Sadak.

Filmography

1. Chandni (1989)

2. Jeene Do (1990)

3. Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi (1991)

4. Sadak (1991)

5. Naamcheen (1991)

6. Chhota Sa Ghar (1992)

7. Tahalka (1992)

8. Janam Se Pehle (1994)

9. Pyar Ka Rog (1994)

The sudden death of Mukesh in 1976 created a vacuum among his countless fans. With his voice resembling the legend closely, Babla Mehta stepped in with his renditions of popular Mukesh numbers in live shows and recordings. He has rendered over 250 songs of Mukesh compiled in 10 solo albums and 6 albums of duets. The success of these albums has established Babla as ‘the voice of Mukesh’ in popular imagination.

Albums

1. Zuban Pe Dard Bhari Daastan (1987)

2. Mukesh ki Yaadein (Vols. 1-10) (1988)

Live Shows

Babla Mehta’s musical journey started as a stage artiste. Despite becoming a playback singer, he has retained his hold over his fans all over the world through 300 live shows in 25 years. His live show audience spans continents to the West Indies, USA, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, and the Middle East:

• Rajesh Roshan show – World Tour  (1992)
• Madhuri Dixit show – London, USA, Canada
• Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla show – World Tour (1993)
• Bappi Lahiri show – South Africa (1993)
• Akshay Kumar show – World Tour
• Solo show on Raj Kapoor at Rang Sharda Auditorium
• Bandra Mumbai ‘Kehta Hai Joker’ (2006)
• Golkonda Resort, Hyderabad (15 December 2007)
• Solo show on Raj Kapoor titled  The Showman, Rang Sharda Auditorium, Bandra, Mumbai (2008)
• Live solo show on Mukesh titled Mukesh – RK to Big B at Manek Sabhagraha, Mumbai (2009)
• Live solo show on Mukesh titled Mukesh – RK to Big B at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi (2012)

Bhajans

Babla has carved a niche for himself in Bhajans too. He has sung many soulful bhajans. His solo albums ‘Jai Shree Hanuman’, ‘Sankat Mochan’ are ‘must have’ for Hanuman devotees. His ‘Ram Charit Manas’ has endeared him to devotees of Lord Ram. He is the only singer to have rendered complete ‘Sunder Kaand’.

Bhajan Albums

1. Sampoorna Sundar Kaand (1988)

2. Bajrang Baan (1988)

3. Mamta Ka Mandir (1991)

4. Parv Kumbh Ka Nyara (1996)

5. Jaya Shree Hanumaan (1997)

6. Ram Charit Maanas (1997)

7. Bhakti Saagar

8. Jag Janani

9. Pahadon wali matarani

As Composer

Although completely self-taught, Babla Mehta is an accomplished music director who has been inspired by his mentor R.D. Burman. Among his many compositions are four poems penned by Ex-Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2011 and performed live by Babla twice on Atalji’s Birthday in New Delhi: Sapna Toot Gaya (2011), GeetNahinGataHoon (2011), Tan Par Pehra (2012), and Kadam Badha Kar Chalna Hoga (2012)

As Sound Recordist

Blessed with a good ear, Babla Mehta is also an adept audio engineer. His love for music has encouraged him to set up a state-of-the-art music recording studio, Silver Bells Studio, in Adarsh Nagar, Oshiwara. Equipped with both analog and digital technology, the studio provides end-to-end solutions ranging from composition to master tracks.