The King is coming. To sing bhajans. Anup Jalota, the undisputed bhajan guru is returning to Bangalore for a live in concert after an year. On January 25, AJ is singing for a cause. To raise funds for the humanitarian activities of Sri Shirdi Sai Global Services Trust (see box). On the occasion, AJ will let the music lovers of Bangalore know the magic of Aisi Laagi Lagan...
In an interview with City Express, AJ said that he has literally fell in love with Bangalore, every time he landed here for a concert. “Bangalore is a beautiful city and I often perform here. Music lovers living in Bangalore are huge devotees of classical music, ghazals and bhajans. I enjoy singing all kind of music while being in Bangalore,”AJ said.
Recalling his first performance in the city, AJ said he sang in front of Satya Sai Baba.
“It was in 1977 and since then I would have done over 50 concerts in city. I remember visiting Bangalore for the first time in 1974 to attend a wedding. So green and beautiful, lovely weather. I fell in love with the city instantly,” he says.
When asked about his all-time favourite bhajan, AJ said: “Can anything beat Aisi Laagi Lagan...? It is my favourite bhajan. I have recorded about 2,000 bhajans so far and more than 200 different CDs of mine are in market now.”
He said he is keenly looking forward to the Bangalore concert. “It is special in many ways because singing for a cause is a very satisfying experience. I do many shows for different charities across the world and I sincerely love doing it,” AJ said. When quizzed what made Aisi Laagi Lagan... stay at the top of the Indian bhajan chart for such a long time, AJ said he would have probably sung this number for more than 3000 times. “My concert is never complete without singing Aisi Laagi Lagan... God is very kind to me for giving me so much love and blessings from music lovers living all over the world,” AJ said.
According to AJ, the relevance of bhajans have increased world over, considering the chaos one has to deal with every day. “Bhajans entertain the soul. The effect of bhajans stays for a longer time in your heart. Bhajan singing is also a part of classical singing. This time during the Bangalore concert, I will sing a few new bhajans along with my popular numbers,” AJ said.
On his favourite instrument, the harmonium, AJ says that he normally uses a new one after every three months. “My harmoniums are made in Kolkata. They are specially made to match my taste, rather the way I like. I use one harmonium for three months and then take the new one after that,” says AJ.
So, what's in store for the die-hard AJ fans on January 25? Maiya mori, main nahin makhan khayo, Jag mein sunder hain do naam, Rang de chunariya, Aisi laagi lagan... Wah! AJ!!