Indian music rose to its apex during the 1960s and the 1970s, the period popularly known as the Golden Era of Indian music. This was also the era when legendary singers such as Mukesh were the torch-bearers and pillars of Indian music.
Mukesh’s powerful influence is amply audible in the reverence of crores of people across time and geographies. From classics like Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli to Ek Din Bik Jayega, from Kabhie Kabhie Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai to Dost Dost Na Raha, his soulful expressions continue to reverberate through generations.
On the occasion of his 87th birth anniversary on July 22, the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is paying a musical salute to the evergreen master, in the living voice of Mukesh i.e. Babla Mehta. The show is being presented by DNA. Celebrated RJ Anuraag Pandey is slotted to anchor the show.
Babla Mehta’s voice bears an uncanny resemblance to Mukesh’s voice. When late film and movie producer Gulshan Kumar spotted him, numerous albums with the music baron followed. Each was a bouquet of Mukesh’s masterpieces and indistinguishable from Mukesh’s voice himself.
Legend has it that Gulshan Kumar challenged a leading music director duo to distinguish Mukesh’s and Babla Mehta’s voice. They couldn’t.
When the legendry music composer duo Shiv-Hari heard him, they were mesmerised. Immediately they chose him to sing for Yash Chopra’s Chandni. Later songs such as Tere Mere Hothon Pe with Lata Mageshlar and Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi followed.
After over 300 shows across 30 countries and more than 250 Mukesh’s songs compiled in 10 solo and 6 albums, Babla Mehta continues to live his mission to bring back the golden era.
Rediscover Mukesh as you catch Babla Mehta perform live at Manik Sabhagraha, Bandra, on Friday, July 23 at 7 pm.
