Sapna Mukherjee - Indiatimes Spirituality, Nov 5, 2003

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Article published in: Indiatimes Spiritualty

Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Source: http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow?msid=268294

 

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Sapna Mukherjee

 

I am a staunch devotee of Sathya Sai Baba. Ever since I was a small

girl, I remember I would sing bhajan s in front of him in Delhi. I

feel I was born to sing for him and that's why sometimes the people

who I work with, my family and friends, tease me about my devotion

for him. They think I am completely mad. They even call me Kalyug ki

Meera .

 

I personally believe that whatever has happened in my life is

largely because of God and destiny. Main do kadam bhi unke bina chal

nahin sakti . That's why there is a little mandir which goes with me

everywhere I go. I constantly feel His presence in my life.

Everything that happens in my life, in my career is all because He

wants it to be that way.

 

I remember there was a phase some time in 1995 when songs were

written that had double meaning. I couldn't bring myself to sing

such songs. In fact, all through my career I have never compromised

on anything.

 

Ever since I came to Mumbai to be part of Kalyanji-Anandji's group,

who were instrumental in me getting my first break - an opportunity

to sing for Feroz Khan's Jaanbaaz , I have always lived one dream.

My mother wanted to be a singer but she could not because in those

days, it was not considered right to be a professional singer. She

wanted me to fulfill her dream and I have single-mindedly focused on

that.

 

You know how difficult it can be for a young, single girl to survive

in this industry, what with everybody expecting you to compromise on

something or the other, but I'm glad I stuck to my principles and

moved on.

 

I may have lost out on many films but whatever I have got is Baba's

blessings or every song I sang would not have been a hit in its own

right. I feel that it's Baba who has charted the course of my career

and of course Kalyanji- Anandji and Feroz Khan who consider me as

part of their family.

 

I was going through depression when I couldn't see myself singing

double meaning songs and that's when I decided to give up my career.

I had almost decided to give up playback singing totally and

concentrate on bhajans.

But again I think it was Baba's wish that I met Sir or Sahara Shri

Subroto Roy. I had sung a jingle for the Sahara group, which Sir had

liked and it was him who said that I shouldn't leave the industry,

which had given me everything I have today. That's when he asked me

to be part of the Sahara Parivaar. He told me to sing for any

producer, for any channel, for anything as long as I was happy doing

it and committed to doing it.

 

Sometimes, I feel it is Baba who has come into my life in the form

of Sir. He's my guide, my friend and my mentor. Today I feel

grateful to God for everything he's given me. Money has never driven

me. My work has. Soon, I will be releasing an album which is

produced by Sahara and has music by Raju Singh. It was Sir's idea

that I break away from my image of singing only racy numbers and

sing some sensitive songs. It's shaping up well but ultimately it

will be Baba who will decide its fate and I will have to accept it."

 

(As told to Kshama Rao)

 

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Sai Baba in the media:

http://www.saibabalinks.org/saibabainthemedia.htm