I first met Anup Jalota Ji in 2003 or 2004. Sept 11 had happened. His wife Medha had had a successful heart transplant and he had a very busy and super successful schedule travelling all over the globe, winning hearts with his performances and positive spirit. The things that have remained unchanged is the busy schedule , his positivity, patience and humility.
He was to leave to perform at a concert in Nasik within 15-20 minutes and I usually don’t disturb artists on the day of the concert. But he was so kind as to still do this short interview for the audience in Boston. The concert is happening on October 31st.
In this interview done in Hindi, he talks about why in spite of facing some very tough times in his personal life, his connection with spirituality and what he sings gives him the ability to stay away from negativity
Anup Ji points out how two global catastrophic events changed the way most people live their lives today, why janamashtmi is so special for the police force, and why the teachings of Lord Krishna are so complete.
His mission in life is now to train 500 bhajan singers at his academy that is focused on teaching Spiritual music, and why it is very important to teach music with spirituality as a key component.
The concert is being brought to Boston by Sonali’s Music Room. Sonali Doshi has had a life long love for music, thanks to her late father, who was an untrained but very popular singer.
Sonali modeled in India, hosted TV shows and is currently studying music under the famous ghazal maestro Jaswinder Singh.
Moving to Boston 20 years ago after marriage, and getting settled, Sonali was the DJ at various get togethers and helped out in community events as a volunteer.
COVID led to some musical zoom sessions where she invited a handful of friends who would hang out together, listen to music Sonali would choose, share experiences. It was therapeutic and healing as they battled the uncertainty of what COVID would bring.
In no time the three to four attendees turned into 50 under the name she created, “Sonali’s Music Room”..
Podcasts followed, which became popular as she shared the journey of many musicians. “It felt great when AR Rahman said to me, he knew about Sonali’s Music Room. The following is steadily increasing.”
Then came the desire to do a small concert but destiny has other plans. Sonali was introduced to Anup Jalota Ji by her guru Jaswinder Ji, and two years after meeting him, getting to know how warm and genuine Anup Ji was, Sonali took the leap of faith to present a concert in Boston.
Sonali says, she is a bit shell shocked at how this event happened ” I was saying to God the other day, “I wanted to do a small event and you hand me a Padam Shri legend!”
While Sonali had been helping with major concerts behind the scenes, doing promotion and marketing, organizing and hosting an entire event is a pretty intense experience.
What has been great has been the support of the community and how many people have come forward to help without being asked.
” I think Anup Ji has not come to Boston for at least 20 years. I hope as a community we can all come together and make Anup Ji feel welcome. “
I hope so because I know Anup Ji will give us an outstanding show and I hope we as an audience return that favor by selling the show out.
Kavita Chhibber