Criminal lawyer sings in golden voice of Mukesh

Mukhtar Shah is a criminal lawyer by profession but he is better known for his “golden voice” that closly resembles the Indian singing great, Mukesh.Two years ago, he sang 130 of his songs for 13 hour

BENGALURU: Mukhtar Shah is a criminal lawyer by profession but he is better known for his “golden voice” that closly resembles the Indian singing great, Mukesh.Two years ago, he sang 130 of his songs for 13 hours without a break in Mumbai. This feat got him into the Limca Book of Records, Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records.

Mukhtar, who is all set to perform in the city next week, says,“I cannot forget a compliment that was given by Nitin Mukesh, singer Mukesh’s son. He said that he has never heard  a voice so similar to that of his father’s. This is worth cherishing for life,” says Mukhtar. He has performed in UK, South Africa, Canada, Dubai, Sharjah, USA, Holland, Israel, Thailand, Kenya, Mozambique, Botswana, West Indies, Surinam and a lot of other countries.

He started as a singer by participating in many school-level competitions, and performing for friends during free hours. Many orchestra groups soon started requesting him to sing with them.
He completed his BCom / LL.B in Ahmedabad and has been working as an advocate at Criminal Court, Ahmedabad, since 1988.

The first time Mukthar was recognised for “Mukesh’s voice” was when he sang one of the legend’s most popular number Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon from Kabhi Kabhi. Since then he has come a long way – winning awards and appreciation, holding more than 5,000 shows and releasing 17 audio albums and singing for two Gujarati films.

He has also worked with many music directors such as Pyarelal (from the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo), Anand bhai (from Kalyanji-Anandji duo), Viju Shah, Shravan (from the Nadeem-Shravan duo) and Shekhar(from the Vishal-Shekhar duo).

His most recent performances include 6 shows for 12 days in London, UK where he has sang 40 songs of Mukesh. More performances in US, Mumbai and Melbourne are slated in the coming days.
Though a child prodigy, he felt the need to take lessons after several shows.  He trained in voice culturing under Sudhir Khandekar and in music from Krishnakant Parikh, who is a classical vocalist and student of the Hindustani singer Pandit Jasraj.

“It’s an honour to be called Mukesh by my friends, acquaintances and even unknown people” says Mukhtar. Though not from a musical family, Mukhtar has received the moral support and appreciation from his father, Suleiman Shah, mother, Ayesha Shah, wife Shamshad Shah and his two chidlren.

City is the best

Mukthar will sing in the “Mukesh’s Melodies” programme that is part of Musical Peace of Mindwill. It will take place at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on July 23, from 6 PM to 10 PM.  Famous flautist Pravin Godkhindi will be the guest of honour. “I have performed in Bengaluru a number of times and have been blessed by people here who show great support and appreciation. This time too I would like to make many memories by singing Mukesh’s special songs,” adds the singer. Contact 94484 30405/98863 50555 for details. Tickets are between `300 to `1,000.

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