Known for his soul-stirring devotional music, Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota, also mesmerises the audience the world over with ghazals and other forms of music.

In an exclusive interview with Guru Vijay Shanker, he talks about his fifty five year old association with Satya Sai Baba and the magical impact of the Baba on his devotees, as the movie ‘Satya Sai Baba’ runs successfully at multiplexes.

Tell us about your experience with the mystical Satya Sai baba?

It is more than fifty five year old experience. I would like to narrate here, that when as a young boy I met Satya Sai Baba in Lucknow, as he was invited by his devotee, who was the then Governor, he was a South Indian, I can’t recollect his name exactly, my father Purushotam Das Jalota was the Raj Gayak (state singer) and was invited to sing bhajans for the selected occasion which was attended by a handful of people. After Baba saw me, he said you are "Chhote Baba", I could not understand why I was nicknamed like that, but he told me that someday I would realise the significance of this nickname. Being extremely pleased by the devotional renderings by my father, he invited him to his ashram in Puttaparthi, which was in its initial stages of development and likewise the arrangements would be made by the Governor. Later I visited Baba in Puttaparthi and it was an unusual and unique experience.

How did you get the role of Satya Sai baba?

When I met the producer Bal Krishna Shrivastava regarding a recording for a song for the film on Satya Sai Baba, I asked him as to who would do the role of Baba and they told me that they were considering Makarand Deshpande for the role. I went home after the recording. They called me again for the recording of the second song. Afterwards I asked as to whether they have finalised anybody for the role of Baba and they said no. I asked them to look at me properly and tell me whether I resemble Baba to any extent or not and they were happy to tell that I did resemble baba and that's how they ultimately finalised me for the role of Satya Sai Baba. This is the first time a movie on Satya Sai Baba has been made, directed by Vicky Rana and I am glad to be the Baba and the second part of the movie is also being planned, which will be directed by me.

Besides the great persona of Baba, what do you appreciate the most?

Besides the great following of the Baba, what I appreciate the most is the Heart Hospital at Puttaparthi where patients are treated freely and the bypass surgery is also free as there is no billing department, you enter one door and you are out through another door. Another great contribution of the Baba is free education and drinking water for everyone. Baba had a great following and to contribute towards the well being of everyone, particularly the poor, is his greatest contribution to mankind and he will always be remembered for that.

Tell us about your childhood and your initiation to music?

I was born in Nainital and brought up in Lucknow. My first teacher for music was my father, Pandit Purushottam Das Jalota. I was studying in a boys school and college also but the girls college was close by, but we were not allowed to enter the girls college. Those days I used to sing Hindi movie songs in the orchestra and became quite popular and was invited to sing in the girls college. I was quite thrilled about performing in the girls college. 

Your experience performing abroad?

Experiences have always been wonderful, for any artist, to be completely devoted to your art form is a must, if you are completely involved, you will definitely do well, that is the success mantra.

Your forthcoming movies?

Forthcoming movies are ‘Hinduttva’, ‘Woh Meri Student Hai’ with Jasleen Matharu, Dil Sachcha Aur Chehra Jhuta’ (Bhojpuri) and ‘Fast Track’.

Guru Vijay Shanker is a professional Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Bharata natyam exponent, dance teacher, choreographer, actor and eminent arts critic for over four decades based in Mumbai. He can be contacted on email: vijaydance@gmail.com