Biography of Anup Jalota

 Biography of Anup Jalota  

Anup Jalota, widely celebrated as the "Bhajan Samrat" (Emperor of Bhajans), is a renowned Indian singer and musician, best known for his soulful renditions of devotional bhajans and ghazals.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Born on July 29, 1953, in Nainital (then part of Uttar Pradesh, now Uttarakhand), Anup Jalota hails from a family deeply rooted in music. His father, Purshottam Das Jalota, was a distinguished bhajan singer and his first mentor. Anup received formal training at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow, further honing his classical music skills. He began singing at the tender age of 7, often accompanying his father at various concerts, which helped him develop a deep understanding of music from an early age.

Musical Career and Achievements

Anup Jalota's musical journey commenced as a chorus singer with All India Radio. His melodious voice and versatility soon propelled him to prominence in the Indian music scene. He has recorded over 1,500 bhajans, ghazals, and songs, releasing more than 200 albums over a career spanning several decades. Some of his most beloved bhajans include "Aisi Lagi Lagan," "Main Nahi Makhan Khayo," "Rang De Chunariya," "Jag Me Sundar Hai Do Naam," and "Chadariya Jhini Re Jhini."

Jalota has performed over 5,000 live concerts across more than 400 cities on five continents, captivating audiences worldwide with his devotional music. His collaborations with legendary artists such as Ravi Shankar, Lata Mangeshkar, Hariharan, and Jagjit Singh have further enriched his musical repertoire.

In recognition of his contributions to Indian classical music, Anup Jalota was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2012.

Television and Other Ventures

Beyond music, Jalota has made notable appearances on television. He hosted the spiritual program "Dharam Aur Hum" on Star Plus from 2002 to 2005, connecting with audiences on matters of faith and devotion. In 2018, he participated in the reality show "Bigg Boss 12," which brought his personal life into the limelight due to his association with co-contestant Jasleen Matharu.

Anup Jalota has also ventured into film production, producing Hindi films like "Hum Deewane Pyar Ke" (2001) and "Nishaan: The Target" (2005). Additionally, he played the role of the spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba in the 2015 film "Satya Sai Baba."

Personal Life

Anup Jalota's personal life has seen several significant relationships:

First Marriage: 

He married Sonali Sheth, a Gujarati music student. The duo gained popularity as the musical pair "Anup and Sonali Jalota" before their marriage ended in divorce.

Second Marriage: 

His arranged marriage to Bina Bhatia also ended in divorce.

Third Marriage: 

Anup's third marriage was to Medha Gujral, niece of former Indian Prime Minister I. K. Gujral. They had a son, Aryaman Jalota, born in 1996. Medha passed away in 2014 due to renal failure following a heart and kidney transplant. 

In 2018, his relationship with Jasleen Matharu, 37 years his junior, garnered media attention during their stint on "Bigg Boss 12." Post the show, Jalota clarified that their relationship was that of a teacher and student.

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