Kanchan, versatile singer and International exponent of the chutney genre passed away Monday July 26th/2004 in Mumbai. She along with her husband Babla formed the Babla & Kanchan orchestra. The duo devised the now famous Disco –Dandiya genre. Together they have been performing for the last 40 years in various parts for the world. Kanchan is a celebrity in countries like West Indies where she has endorsed brands like Johnson & Johnson among others. Kanchan has also done numerous other albums like ‘Kaise Bani’ (1982) that is still a craze with the bhojpuri audience.

Kanchan began her career as a playback singer way back in the 70’s a naturally gifted singer blessed with a family history of musicians, Kanchan received her training from the renowned Laxmi Prasad Jaipurwale.

Music Directors Kalyanji Anandji gave her a break in the film ‘Rafoo Chakkar’. This was followed by movies like Dharamatma and Qurbani. Laila O Laila (Qurbani) established her in the big league.

Kanchan’s love for Live shows and orchestra resulted in her teaming up with Babla, her husband and versatile music composer to form the ‘ Babla and Kanchan’ orchestra. The duo devised the now famous Disco –Dandiya genre. Together they have been performing for the last 40 years in various parts for the world.

Their love for Live shows and orchestra music took them away from the Indian Film music scenario. They extensively toured the world doing live shows in New York, Canada, West Indies, Ghana, Surinaam, Holland, London and Australia amongst other places as the ‘Kanchan and Babla’ Orchestra. The Duo is the first Indian Artistes to take the West Indies by storm. Their super hit albums like Kuch Gadbad Hai are a craze in West Indies.

Along with Babla, Kanchan's meeting with record producer Jagessar some 21 years ago yielded 17 consecutive Number One hits and sold millions of records, making her the best selling artiste of the Chutney genre.

Chartbusters such as `Kaise Bani' and `Ab Na Jaibay' (originally sung by the late Sundar Popo), `Kuchh
Gadbad Hai', `Tiny Winey', `Ai Ai O!’ `Bolo Bolo', `Na Manu', `Leggo Me Na Raja', `O Maninja' were among her other smash hits. The Babla & Kanchan world tour of 1985 drew record attendances everywhere they went and continued for an entire year from Guyana to Trinidad and Suriname, USA, UK, Fiji and Holland, among other countries.

Kanchan is survived by her husband, Babla and her two children Nisha and Vaibhav. She was 54.