From geology to music: The B-town singer who found his voice in the hills
It was in the quiet town of Dharamsala that Mohit Chauhan, now one of India’s most beloved voices, began his transformation — from a student of geology to a musician whose songs would go on to touch millions. For him, this Himalayan town was much more than a scenic backdrop. It was here that the first notes of his future began to play.
Long before his soulful songs like “Tum se hi” and “Phir se ud chala” topped the charts, Mohit would stroll through the winding lanes of McLeodganj with a guitar in hand, soaking in the music of the hills. After completing his graduation, he moved to Dharamsala to pursue a postgraduate degree in geology. But destiny, it seemed, had other plans.
He fondly recalls the birth of “Dooba dooba”, the iconic song that brought his band Silk Route into the national spotlight. “Dooba dooba was composed right here,” he says with a nostalgic smile. Those were the days of carefree jamming with local, Tibetan and international musicians. “There was a purity in those tunes. No pressure. Just music and mountains,” he adds.
Born and raised in Himachal Pradesh, Mohit shares a deep emotional bond with the region. “Whenever I get the chance, I come back,” he says. “This place gave me more than just a degree — it gave me a voice, a vision and a lifetime of inspiration.” His time in Dharamsala not only helped him grow musically but also brought him close to local artists, especially the Highjackers Orchestra — a group of vibrant musicians whose mountain melodies seeped into his sound. “The mountain music just flows into you. You don’t even realise when it becomes a part of your soul,” he reflects.
Today, Mohit Chauhan stands as more than just a playback singer — he is an icon for aspiring musicians from the hills. His journey, shaped by both science and song, shows how deeply the place you belong to can shape who you become. “Dharamsala is not just a place I studied. It’s where I found myself,” he says. And from there, his music found the world.
Currently, Mohit is the Mongolian Government’s Cultural Envoy to India. In keeping with his compassionate nature, he personally feeds and takes care of over 400 stray animals in South Delhi, bearing the cost of their food and medical treatment on his own.
When asked about his possible entry into politics — given his growing closeness with BJP leaders — he says, “I’m open to how the future rolls out. Being in public and interacting with audiences — the idea cannot be ruled out.” He was recently seen accompanying Union Minister Kiren Rijiju during World Yoga Day celebrations in Chuna village, Arunachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 13,000 feet. He was also spotted in Kalpa and Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, singing alongside Rijiju and actor-MP Kangana Ranaut.
Back in McLeodganj now, Mohit is part of the long-life prayers being offered on the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. He joined other artists in singing a special tribute titled “Vishav Man Bhavan – Param Pavan – Dalai Lama.”
From the rocks he once studied to the songs that now echo through valleys and hearts, Mohit Chauhan’s journey continues to be shaped by the hills that first gave him his song.
Himachal Tribune