When the legendary singer Mukesh Chand Mathur departed in 1976, he left a huge vacuum in the music and film industry, and amongst his legion of fans. On 22 July, 2025, the ‘Voice of Mukesh’ left us a second time.
For, ‘Voice of Mukesh’ is how Babla Mehta came to be known – thanks to his uncanny vocal resemblance, manifested in renditions of Mukesh songs at live concerts or in recording studios. It is therefore a bittersweet tryst of fate that Babla passed away on the birth anniversary of the iconic playback singer Mukesh.

Babla revered Mukesh to the extent that he cut ten solo and six duet albums, comprising covers of over 250 Mukesh originals under T-Series banner. It was the quality of this catalogue that helped establish him as the ‘Voice of Mukesh’ in the popular imagination.
However, Babla Mehta was more than just a Mukesh clone. He also enjoyed success teaming up with the great Lataji on the eternally popular Tere Mere Hoton Pe in the film Chandni. His playback success extended to hit films like Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Tahalaka, Sadak, Jeene Do and Mayor Saheb. He also carved a niche for himself in the Bhajans genre – his albums, Jai Shree Hanuman, Sankat Mochan and Mamta Ka Mandir are ‘essential listening’ for devotees; his Ram Charit Manas endeared him to devotees of Lord Ram; and he is the first singer to have rendered the complete Sunder Kaand.

Babla began his musical journey as a stage artiste. Nevertheless, even after achieving fame and success as a playback singer, he never forgot his commitment to his fans right across the globe – delivering over 300 live shows to adoring audiences in the West Indies, USA, Canada, UK, Portugal, the Netherlands, South Africa, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, the Middle East and, of course, India.

He also composed and sang poems of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in tribute to the great statesman. Two stand out renditions were Sapna Toot Gaya and Geet Nahin Gaata Hoon, for which he evoked, through melodious perfection, the depth of emotion and the priceless wisdom woven into the words of the renowned politician-philosopher.
Babla Mehta’s musical expression wasn’t an imitation but almost a spiritual continuum of Mukesh’s voice. His passing on Mukesh’s birth anniversary defines a poignant moment that only fate could have conjured up. The day, 22nd July, thus becomes an emotional duality – of birth and death, arrival and farewell, both inextricably bound by the universal language of music.

It is as if the voice returned home on the very day it first arrived. Like one soul completing the journey for another.

As Babla Mehta joins Mukesh in the great beyond, their melodies and memories will forever blend in the hearts of music lovers.
Rest in peace, Babla Mehta. Thank you for being the gift that always gave.