Babla & Kanchan
Babla & Kanchan were an Indian husband-wife musical group best known for work in the chutney music and Desi Folk music genres. They performed together for forty years until Kanchan died in 2004. Originating from Mumbai, India, their music is well known through the world, especially in countries like Canada, United States, Trinidad, Guyana, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Suriname and England. Babla is the younger brother of famous music director Kalyanji Anandji.
According to film music expert Rajesh Subramanian the song "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" was composed by Babla.
After appearing in the films Rafoo Chakkar, Dharamatma, and Qurbani, Kanchan joined her husband and began performing and touring. Their engagements abroad (live shows and orchestra music) kept them away from Indian (Bombay) film music. They were popular in Caribbean countries, where they covered soca music hits such as "Hot Hot Hot" and revived older hits by chutney singer Sundar Popo. Albums including Kuch Gadbad Hai sold well because of touring support.
Kanchan's other albums, such as Kaise Bani, were popular with the Bhojpuri audience. Her fame led to endorsement deals for brands including Johnson & Johnson.
Songs
Many songs Kanchan sang were remakes of older songs by West Indian locals, or were soca classics or by Sundar Popo from Trinidad. Her producer and manager was filmmaker and easy96.com radio personality, Rohit Jagessar.
- "Kaise Bani" (originally by Sundar Popo) - Rohit Records
- "Chaadar Bechaow" (originally by Sundar Popo) - Rohit Records
- "Benji Darling" (originally by Neisha Benjamin) - Rohit Records
- "Ai Ai O" ("Buss Up Shot" by Baron) - Rohit Records
- "Kuch Garbar" Hai ("Hot Hot Hot" by Arrow) - Rohit Records
- "Tiny Winy" ("Tiny Winey" by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires) - Rohit Records
- "Kuch Kuch Baby" ("Rock It" by Merchant) - Rohit Records
- "Hum Na Jaibe" (originally by Sundar Popo) - Rohit Records
- " Na Manu (Diamond Collection) - Rohit Records
- " Leggo Me Na Raja (originally by Halima Bissoon) - Rohit Records
Family
Kanchan & Babla have two children, Nisha and Vaibhav Shah. Nisha has been touring with her mother since birth and has made her appearance in both Trinidad & Tobago and in Guyana recently, much to local satisfaction. Vaibhav is the drummer on the TV show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil' Champs.
