Anup Jalota

Anup Jalota was born on 29 July 1953 in Nainital into a Punjabi Hindu family with a strong musical background. He hails from the Sham Chaurasia gharana and was formally trained at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow. His father, Purshottam Das Jalota, was himself a bhajan singer, which influenced Anup’s early musical environment. Jalota began his career as a chorus singer with All India Radio, gradually establishing himself as a solo performer.

Over the years, he became widely known for his devotional bhajans and ghazals, performing with ensembles that often included instruments such as tabla, santoor, sarangi, sitar, violin, guitar, and dholak. His recordings include widely known compositions that have become staples of devotional music in India. Beyond live performance and recordings, he also presented the television program Dharam Aur Hum on Star Plus between 2002 and 2005.

In addition to music, Jalota has appeared in films and on television and participated as a contestant in Bigg Boss 12. He has also been involved in charitable initiatives, including benefit concerts for humanitarian causes. His lifetime contribution to Indian devotional music was formally recognized with the Padma Shri award in 2012, reinforcing his enduring position in India’s musical landscape.