Senior ghazal artiste Rajendra Mehta passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 85.

The singer and his wife Nina were known as the first popular ghazal couple in India, and formed a successful concert duo in the 1980s. Often called the Musical Mehtas, they attained success with the songs Taj Mahal Mein Aa Jaana, Suna Hai Maine Yeh Jabse, Musafir Ke Raste Badalte Rahe, Ek Pyara Sa Gaon and Tumko Humne Dil Mein.

Mehta also sang the group song Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna with Manna Dey and Mohammed Rafi in the 1965 Manoj Kumar film ‘Shaheed’. Nina Mehta passed away in 2014. The singer is survived by one son.

By Narendra Kusnur