Share music with one and all

Anup Jalota was in Hyderabad to give a unique performance ‘in and as Tulsidas’ in the ‘Ballads of Sree Rama’ by Mohiniattam dancer Momm Ganguly. In an exclusive interview, he spoke about his tryst with music.

Excerpts:

How was the journey in music with your father Purshottam Das Jalota?
What I am singing today is all taught by my father and given to me by him. I am not singing anything of my own. My father lit a lamp of music in me. He was very strict in his approach to teaching. I also took formal training at the Bhatkande Institute in Lucknow. But he said that one must share music. Never keep it to yourself. Do not take it with you when you leave this world. My father always felt that the knowledge and culture of this great nation should be shared with
everyone.

How can the rich tradition of music be passed on to the younger generation?
It’s very important to teach and pass on knowledge among the younger generation. From morning onwards, students keep coming to my home. I do not charge any fee for teaching. Discipline is very important for everyone to move upwards in their journey.

What is the advantage of learning classical music?
If you learn classical music, you will sing till the last breath like the legends --Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. Jagjit Singh, Kishore Kumar and Mohd Rafi always had a flair for classical music. Even Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle have had a deep interest in classical music. In my 55 years career, I would have seen more than 55 singers. But only those who have a base in classical music remained eternal.

What are the forms of music that you enjoy?
I like all forms of music. I listen to different genres of music. But I sing music that is close to my heart and that is music which is based on classical music. I also like Michael Jackson or Mika but don’t sing the songs or rather can’t sing those songs.

Is the younger generation losing interest in Indian music?
The younger generation likes classical music but you need to make it compact and appealing to them. There are many artistes like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Jasraj and others who have understood this and ensure that they draw the youth into classical music over a period of time.

How does a ‘musician’ fit in this digital age?
It’s a great time for musicians. One can become popular at the tip of a finger. Today everything is available on mobile phone. Even our royalties have gone up because of digitisation, resulting in better accounting.

How can music help in life?
One should learn to make music your ‘life companion’. It will always keep your spirits high and support you in times of distress. Music is something that will take care of you. Being into music and singing the spiritual genre has brought out a healing touch in my approach to any problem. I always seek a remedy for a problem, instead of getting angry about it. “Aaina saaf kiya toh mai dikha, Mai koh saaf kiya toh Tuh dikha” (When the mirror was cleaned I could see myself; when I cleaned myself, I could see the almighty).

What are your other interests in life?
Most of my life revolves around music. But of course, I am also a film producer and run an airlines business. My film ‘Mr. Kabaadi’ is veteran actor Om Puri’s last film directed by his wife Seema Kapoor and will get released in the last week of August. It’s a satirical comedy wherein a scrap dealer becomes a rich man. The film has been completed in less than 10 months.

Anything that is done in life must be done with care. It will always give positive results.