Singer Babla Mehta, known as Voice of Mukesh, dies in Mumbai

Singer-composer Babla Mehta, widely recognised as the ‘Voice of Mukesh’ due to his remarkable vocal resemblance to the legendary singer Mukesh, died on July 22, coinciding with the birth anniversary of the iconic playback singer.

Mukesh, also known as Mukesh Chand Mathur, who died in 1976, left an indelible mark on Indian music and cinema. And Babla Mehta’s career was notably shaped by his tribute to Mukesh’s legacy. Over the years, Mehta released 10 solo and six duet albums featuring more than 250 covers of Mukesh’s original songs under the T-Series banner, establishing himself firmly in the public consciousness as the voice that carried Mukesh’s musical spirit forward.

In addition to his work emulating Mukesh, Babla Mehta achieved success in his own right. He collaborated with the legendary Lata Mangeshkar on the timeless duet 'Tere Mere Hothon Pe' from the film 'Chandni' and contributed to notable soundtracks including 'Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin', 'Tahalaka', 'Sadak', 'Jeene Do', and 'Mayor Saheb'. He also



gained recognition in devotional music, with albums such as Jai Shree Hanuman, Sankat Mochan, and Mamta Ka Mandir becoming essential listening for devotees. His complete rendition of the 'Sunder Kaand' and the 'Ram Charit Manas' further cemented his status in the genre.

Beginning his career as a stage artist, Mehta maintained a strong connection with audiences worldwide, performing in over 300 live concerts across the West Indies, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Babla Mehta also paid tribute to the late statesman Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee by composing and performing musical renditions of his poems, notably 'Sapna Toot Gaya' and 'Geet Nahin Gaata Hoon', which were praised for their emotional depth and lyrical expression.

Mehta’s death on July 22, carries symbolic significance, marking a poignant moment that reflects both an end and a continuation of the musical legacy initiated by Mukesh. His contributions ensured that Mukesh’s voice and spirit remained alive for generations to come.