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The golden voice of Vizag
The bandana on his head may hide a balding pate but the glistening eyes beneath the hood gives away the enthusiastic singer in him.
Vizag has many feathers in its cap, but when it comes to `Vizag Beat' - a profile of singers and musicians in the city is called by that name - Saneem Babu leads all others. Kishore Saneem Babu was just another teenager with dreams in his eyes and a keen ear for music in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, there wasn't even a square meal in his stomach. His abject poverty suppressed his desire to dream but nothing could pull him away from music. It was literally his food for life! To his great fortune, a rich man in his street took a fancy to the urchin and Babu was invited to sit before the only tape-recorder in his area and listen to his favourite Binaca Geet Mala. Unable to control his excitement, he began matching each note with his vocals, and the singer was born. The rich scrap merchant became his benefactor and adopted him. Thus began a journey from rags to riches! In 1978 Babu became a part of Sruthilaya - the well-known orchestra at that time - and his versatility, style and resonant voice landed him his first job at Hotel Vikram. It was in 1990 that Hotel Apsara (now Green Park) took him on and the golden era of Hindi music started for Vizag.
"I still remember going with the entire family on Saturday to the hotel for dinner just to listen to Babu. We would be a group of at least 20 cousins and we would leave only after the band signed off for the night," recalls Zainuddin Aariff, owner of Aariffi Stores.
People would come to Vizag from neighbouring towns to listen to him. In 1994 , Babu got his first international break at the Casablanca, the largest four star hotel in Dubai. He left Vizag with his entire band and they were an instant hit there. The New Year eve saw their band crowned as the "best Indian band in Dubai" at the Cine Stars New Year Meet. Sunny and sounds had arrived in style that night! 1995 saw Babu at Nairobi Celebrations, Kenya .1996 it was time to be at the sprawling Indiana Resorts at Mombasa and 1998 they were at Bahrain. It was in 2001 that his second stint at Dubai commenced at Hotel California, Dubai Benta and Binsaloon Plaza and this catapulted him into fame. In between Babu was at Sai Priya Resorts , Vizag, and the stream of fans who visited the resort was phenomenal. Babu treasures these times!
Much in demand in the international market now, Babu has his eyes set on the US but is down with his family for a few months respite. He remembers with nostalgia his golden years here and the encouragement he received from Vizagites, and the respect he still commands in the city makes him beam with pride.
Performing recently for the launch of Samsung's international range of washing machines, Babu made news with his melodies. The pop singer Usha Uthup once visited Apsara when he was singing and was so amazed at his performance that she herself walked up and started singing with him! Both of them jigged through the entire night. The next day she even arrived at his humble home for a meal. "Her energy levels and magnificent personality is still fresh in my mind," says Babu choking with emotion. Amongst his well-known fans are director Ramgopal Varma and actor Balakrishna who invited Babu and team to play for his birthday. Kishore Kumar remains Babu's favourite singer and even today he does his sound check with "Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz..." However, his life is no longer a `kora kagaz' (blank paper) and a lot has been written on it.
His wife S. Jahara and two lovely children are his pillars of strength and Babu feels that the time is ripe for talented young singers to take centrestage soon.
With a spurt in professionally managed shows and good event managers coupled with the television explosion and experimental films, there is more money in singing today. He was a judge at the BPL Karaoke contest - the first ever mega event organised in the city by Razzmatazz few years ago and was stunned to see the local talents perform. He is eagerly looking forward to his Telugu pop album which is to be recorded soon. "There is no place like Vizag and I always thank this city wherever I go," ends the singer.
Babu will remain the pride of our city. His voice is bound to linger on for many more miles!
MEENAKSHI ANANTRAM
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