Joi Barua

Biography:

Joi Barua, an Indian singer and music composer hailing from Digboi, Assam, began his musical journey by lending his voice to advertising jingles. His diverse career spans playback singing for Hindi, Assamese, and Telugu films, alongside being the lead vocalist of the band Joi.

Born to Ranjana Barua and Rohini Dhar Barua, Joi’s musical inclination ignited at a young age when his father gifted him a violin at four. His family later relocated to Jorhat during his junior school years. At seven, urged by his sister, he participated in a singing competition, winning with the rendition of Cliff Richard’s ‘Bachelor Boy.’ This momentous victory sparked his passion for singing. Sister Mabilia, his school principal, recognized his musical flair and consistently encouraged him, fostering his stage performances. She favored his rendition of Boney M’s ‘El Lute,’ which became a symbol of their bond.

Within the family circle, Joi and his cousin Piku harmonized to tunes by The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, and U2. Completing high school at St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, he pursued graduation at Gauhati Commerce College.

Joi draws inspiration from his father, who advocated for taking music beyond classrooms and into people’s hearts, and Sister Mabilia, his guiding force. His musical influences are wide-ranging, encompassing artists like Sting, The Beatles, The Eagles, Iron Maiden, The Police, Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Satriani, Eric Clapton, and U2. He also finds inspiration in classical composers such as Beethoven, Rossini, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Indian maestros like L. Subramaniam, A.R. Rahman, Salil Chowdhury, Ilaiyaraaja, Bhupen Hazarika, and Jayanta Hazarika.

This eclectic mix of influences shapes Joi Barua’s musical style, blending rock, soul, jazz, folk, and world music into his compositions, marking him as a multifaceted talent in the Indian music industry.