Yesteryear’s famous Qawwal Jani Babu passed away in Mumbai on 28th January at the age of 73. Syed Jan Muhammad, who acquired fame as Jani Babu, was born in 1935 in the town of Hingan Ghat near Nagpur.
He started his singing career at the young age of ten when he participated in a school qawwali competition. Around 1955 he started getting recognized after his superhit “Damadam Mast Qalandar” became an instant hit with the public.
His numerous audio records were produced by HMV, T-Series and Venus. Collections which became extremely popular include: “Muhammad Ke Ghulamoon Par Budhapa Aa Nahin Sakta”, “Jannati Jahaz”, “Dhoka Huwi Gawa”, “Woh Aik Bholi Si Ladki Hai,” and “Asaar-e-Qayamat Hain”.
Babu’s contemporaries include such famous artists of the Qawwali genre as Ismael Azad, Yusuf Azad, Aziz Nazaan, and Majid Shola.
He also sang for a number of bollywood films which include Noor Mahal and Awliya-e-Islam. His “Mehngai maar gayi” from Roti, Kapda aur Makaan, continues to be a cult favorite.
Almost a decade ago Babu had suffered a stroke while performing in Dewas. He remained bed ridden for a while but quickly sprung back to action. He had completely stopped performing for the past few years due to ill health.
Babu has left an unforgettable legacy to India’s music. Lyricist Gulzar had admitted that he had borrowed the title “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”, soundtrack for a film with the same name release last year, from one of Jani Babu’s Qawwali.
Jani Babu was buried in Mahim graveyard. He is survived by two widows, four sons and five daughters.
Listen to Jani Babu at Rhapsody
Listen to Jani Babu at eMusic
Thank you for writing about my dad in this dying age of Qawwali. I am sure, he is going to live on forever in our hearts through his music. He inspired something in all of us.
He was the last hope for the dying genre which embraced such depth and intensity. He was a profound artiste and a humble human being who served his duty on earth. I am sure he is performing for Allah himself in Heaven.
Peace,
Farah.
Farah,
Our condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to the Jani family.
Some readers might not be aware that Talat Jani, who has directed many movies in the past and currently directs the serial “Kasam Se” is a son of Jaani Babu.
He was one of the best Qawwals of all times. May his soul rest in peace.
Assalamo Aliakum
family and relatives of Jani babu
please accept my salam and heartiest concolence of jani babu’s viladat.
we all miss Janibabu.
we lost world best qawwal of traditional.
i had heard one qawwali in Valsad
” hamare mulk ho ekta garib nawaz….”
wot a wonderful qawwali is…
Moderator’s Note: Comment Edited
Assalamu Alaikum
Sorry to hear of his passing. I remember his visit to Durban, South Africa some 35 years ago. His music provided impetus for my love of music. I have just recently acquired a DVD of his visit to Canada…very enjoyable.
Some of my favourite music has been sung by him and Yusuf Azad Qawwal on their visits to south Africa.
May Allah grant us all Jannah.
it’s true from the time i realized myself i found jani babu to be my best pal.
sadique hussain
pesit
yes sadique keep it up. you should not let ur spirits go so easily.
tarique
pesit
The loss of Jani Babu is indeed a loss.
The subcontinent has had 3 outstanding qawwals. Jani Babu is one of them, and the others are Aziz Nazan and the Sabri brothers.
I think that Aziz Nazan is also no longer with us, leaving behind Sabri brothers with their immortal “Bhar De Jholi”
I remember when Jani Baboo came to South Africa. I was little and my dad gave me money to give him for the special song “woh ek bholi se ladki”. My dad passed away in 1986 and I hunted for this song as it reminds me of how much my dad loved me. Keeps me strong.
Added to my comment above as it doesn’t sound as I meant – I dont mean to offend anyone, but when an audience enjoys a live qawali, the audience member can also display their appreciation by giving the singers money and it is a pleasant moment in my life that I wont forget- even if it was 35 odd years ago. Thanks to Jani Baboo.
@Waheeda,
I know the song you are talking about. It is about a girl called Nikhat, whose dad affectionately calls her Nikki.
“Woh ek bholi si ladki hai, jis se main pyar karta hoon. Na woh duniya se darti hai, na main duniya se darta hoon”. Very nice.
i m a big fan of jani babu qawaal, and i love to listen his music all the time, unfortunately I lost all the music cd of jani babu and i m so frustrate that u cannot understand … i lost something that was very special to me.
I request all the people to pl tell me from where i can get the cd’s of the same or from where i can download the same . I remember his all lyrics throughly.. but i need the cd’s
Help me pl
Prabhat
mere ko yeh jaan kar bahut dhuk ho raha hai ki jani babu ji aub is duniya main nahi hai.mene inka album Dhoka Huwi Gawa chote main suna tha meri maa ko bhi inke gane bahut pasund the meri maa ki deth hue 7 saal ho gaye hai,main kai dino se yeh album dhundh raha tha lekin aaj jub is site par pahucha to aankhe bhar aai.bhagwan unki atma ko shanti de .
oh no—no—-no
khuda enhi jannat baakshe
aamin
fakat tarun(adanasha shayar)
Assalamulikum.
Jani Babu. Really if i lesson any time Jani babu qawali in inside
my heart become a kind of
happyness & some time im not in
the world Really in haven god also
lessoning babu qawali.
I love Jani babu i missing u lot
i want jani babu’s song “wo ek bholi si ladki jo mujhe pyar karti hai” any budy send me this song i need so much. Thank you.