Babul Supriyo 

THE BENGALI 'BABU'L

Babul Supriyo: Not just a clone!
"Kaho na.... pyaar hai. Kaha na pyaar hai!" Hey guys, are you transported once again to the transcendental beauty of that mesmeric island where the hunk Roshan proclaimed love to the fresh-wind-like Amisha. We really don't blame you! Nop, we don't have the star cast for you, but we have for you the voice that made the title song, an anthem for the young-n-restless souls out there. It's showtime folks and Babul Supriyo shall grab the limelight!

"Kaho na..." is a past chapter now. Let's talk about something else," says Supriyo . Yeah, we like this attitude! "You can check-out a few of my hep-n-happenin numbers in the current movies like Albela, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai." So, let's check it out guys...but before we go, let's rewind a couple of years back to trace his progress..

Babul Supriyo hails from the culturally rich state of West Bengal. He gives the legendary sisters-Asha Bhonsle & Lata Mangeshkar-credit for his success in Mumbai. Like any other struggler Babul Supriyo too had to go through-being labelled as a cousin of Kumar Sanu. "I have answered this question 'n' number of times. Every singer bases himself on a senior singer's voice. And then, the music composers-during my struggle days-wanted me to sound in a certain manner!" he exclaims.

Though the similarity to Kumar Sanu is vividly apparent in songs like Hata Saawan Ki Ghata, Chori ChoriChupke Chupke... one cannot neglect Kaho na pyaar...and the salubrious video of Khoya Khoya Chaand Rehta hai... where his individuality stands-out by a class in itself. Khoya khoya...is the title track of a non-filmi album, where Babul has teamed up with Alka Yagnik. Guys, this item is definitely top class! The tone, the texture, the timbre is exquisite and sounds llike one which emerges after years of riyaaz.

Khoya Khoya Chaand...is the baby of music composers Sajid-Wajid. "I think a lot depends on the music composer. For it is the music composer that can extract the best out of a vocalist. A lot of role in today's scenario is being played by the mushrooming cable channels. Music has become much more visual than ever before. The entire attitude has undergone a massive change," Babul comments pensively.

Supriyo further elaborates "Earlier, the non filmi albums were comprised primarily of ghazals. But in the last few years, the whole scenario has undergone a massive change. A singer is doing regular live shows, cutting non-film albums as-well-as playback singing. The reach and versatility have become immense. It helps in recognising the individuality of the singer."

This Sagittarian has done his homework right. For he went step by step. The first step was to be at the right place at the right time. The fact that big-time composers are giving opportunities to upcomming playback singer, according to Babul is a positive sign in itself. "One has to be in proper shape. Destiny does play a role, but it is your work which takes you places," he admits.

When asked if belonged to any particular Gharana, young Supriyo gave an interesting answer. He said "If you consider Kishore Kumar to be a Gharana, then I belong to that Gharana." Quite a candid one, isn't it? His other favourites besides the inimitable Kishore da are Manna Dey, Ghulam Ali, Asha Bhonsle, Lata Mangeshkar and Hemant Kumar.

We had reached the zenith of conversation when I noticed the evening was growing old and both of us, tired after a hard day's work seemed to slow-own a bit. To wrap-up on a positive note, I asked Babul " So Babul, what all do we hear from you in the near future?" Modestly he gave me a list saying, "I am all excited and eager about my songs in Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar, Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai, Kasam Se, Isi Ka Naam Zindagi, Deewangee and Rahen Na Rahen Hum."

The best part about this Bengali babu is the fact that he is well-sorted-out. All priorities seem to be in their proper place. Endowed with realistic dreams, he hopes to play a long innings in the mad-bad world of Mumbai Cinema. Hoping that the limelight stays with him, the whole team of Indias-best.com wishes him the best of luck.

Text and pics by Faridoon Shahryar