Zero Babu | |
|---|---|
| Born | K J Babu 28 December 1939 Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Died | 21 October 2020 (aged 80) |
| Genres | Playback singing, Carnatic music |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1964–1982 |
| Label | Audiotracs |
K. J. Mohammed Babu (28 December 1939 – 21 October 2020), also known as Zero Babu, was an Indian film singer, actor and music composer who was active in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s. He was a theater artist turned movie actor. His debut film song was for Kudumbini in 1964 at the age of 18. In a P. J. Antony’s play, Babu played the role of a man who is fed up with life owing to the cotton gambling game that prevailed in the past. Open Zero was the name of the game. Ever since he acted the role and performed a song called Open Zero, he was known as Zero Babu. He also composed a few songs including Nakshathrangal Chimmum for the 1983 film Marakkilorikkalum, Manavaattippennorungi for the 1982 movie Kurukkante Kalyaanam. He was a recipient of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award and also sung in nearly 90 films and various plays. He has sung more than 300 movie songs.
He was married to Athikka and has four children, Sooraj, Sulfikar, Deepa and Sabitha. He died on 21 October 2020 due to age-related illness. He was 80. His funeral held at Ernakulam North Thottathumpadi Juma Masjid on Thursday at 11 am.