Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Sapna Mukherjee

By 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."


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