Folk singer Babubhai Ranpara passes away, CM expresses grief

Ahmedabad, 17 July, 2014

Gujarat’s veteran folk singer Babubhai Ranpura passed away on Wednesday. He was hospitalized for last few days and was on ventilator in last stage of life.

Born at Mehsana taluka’s Zakasana village on 4 February 1943, Babubhai was son of Santokben and Girdharjibhai. Santokben had become sadhvi and she was later known as Saraswatiji. She had taken living samadhi. Father Girdharjibhai was native of Saurashtra’s Morbi based Nana Ghantila village.

Babubhai studied at Lalji Maharaj’s place in Sayla through Mayaramji Maharaj till 10th standard.

He was married to Induben in 1965. He is survived by three daughters – Rupa, Priti and Ramba and one son Kiritbhai.

Babubhai participated in Ganesh Natak Mandli’s play at the age of 9.

He sung ‘Aapna malakna mayalu manvi’ song from Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1985 on the occasion of ‘Festival of India’.

Festival of India’s Moscow function started with Babubhai’s song in 1987.

In 1990 he received special invitation to perform at Spirit of earth event by British government.

He attended a conference of European authors at Wales. He was invited by Atlantic college.

In 1993 he performed on invitation of London based Gujarati poets and artists.

In 1997 he visited Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on invitation of Gujaratis living there.

In 1998 he was presented Gujarat government’s Gaurav Puraskar.

He was song writer, musician, singer, actor and dance director of Hindi film Mirch Masala.

He penned down lyrics of Hindi movie Rihai.

He penned down songs of Gujarati film Deval Devro.

He also wrote and sung a song in film Sardar and also acted int he film.

Other Gujarati films he was associated with were Hu Hansi and Hansilal, Lal Lili Chundadi, Banaras, Gujarat naa lokvadhyo etc.

He was a dance director and singer in Gramophone Zee TV show. He was given award of ‘Babu of Gujarat’ in Russia.

His voice has been documented in Wilson library. The Government of India had sent him to participate in a conference in Britain and Germany. Gujarat University had appointed him as expert of cultural subjects. Shri Morari Bapu had presented him ‘Kavi Dulabhaya Kag Award’.

He was given Academy award on 20 March 2006 by India’s then President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

In her condolence message, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said: I express my deep grief on demise of world known folk-singer Babubhai ranpara. With his death, we have lost a big tradition of great songs, dedication. I pry for eternal peace to the departed soul.