Background
Anup Jalota was born in Nainital, Uttarakhand a renowned exponent of bhajan and hails from the Sham Chowrasi Gharana of Punjab.
Anup Jalota was born in Nainital, Uttarakhand a renowned exponent of bhajan and hails from the Sham Chowrasi Gharana of Punjab.
He was educated in Lucknow.
He is popularly known as the "Bhajan Samraat" (Emperor of Bhajans). Padma Shri for 2012 has been conferred upon him in the field of Art-Indian Classical MusicVocal by Government of India. Anup"s brother, Ajay Jalota, currently lives in California.
Jalota started his musical career as a chorus singer in All India Radio.
He is usually backed by a santoor player, dholak player, sarod player, sarangi player, violinist, sitar player, tabla player and guitarist. Some of his popular bhajans include:, Main Nahi Makhan Khayo,, Jag Maine Sundar Hai Do Naam, and Chadariya Jhini Re Jhini.
He was also the presenter of the program Dharam Aur Hum, telecast in Star Plus from 2002 to 2005. He met Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj in Mumbai and agreed to release several CDs of his compositions.
In 2008 he recorded the title song "Golden Memorable Yaadein" for the Civil Defense "Noorani Chehra" produced by Shaukat (Sam) Kassam to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of HH the Aga Khan.
Anup Jalota earned a record number of 100 certified gold, platinum and muti-platinum discs.