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In love with India: Dana Gillespie
Renowned British Blues artist Dana Gillespie was recently in Lucknow for her performance at the hotel Taj Residency. An exclusive interview with the singer who is an ardent devotee of Sri Satya Sai Baba
Renowned British Blues artist Dana Gillespie was recently in Lucknow for her performance at the hotel Taj Residency. In a career spanning almost four decades, Gillespie has produced 37 albums and is the founder of the famous Mustique Blue Festival. An exclusive interview with the blues singer who is an ardent devotee of Sri Satya Sai Baba:
Q) What attracted you to India?
A) My love affair with India began and grew intense when I met Sri Satya Sai Baba in 1980 in Puttuparthy, Bangalore. I love India so much that sometimes I feel that it is my homeland.
Q) What was Sai Baba's reaction when he first met you?
A) His first glance changed my life. I was dying to meet him but he ignored me for 12 years. Finally, he asked me to perform on his 70th birthday and I cherish that day till today. I have also composed devotional music under the pseudonym Thirdman.
Q) Can Blues be termed as erotic?
A) The lyrics are at times sexual. Blues touches you deep and its sensuality can make the listener go ecstatic.
Q) Has your music been inspired by Indian melodies?
A) You would be surprised to know that I have recorded music based on melodies of Jagjit Singh, Mohammad Rafi and Pankaj Udhas. I wonder how many Indians know about it.
Q) Do you understand Hindi?
A) Frankly speaking, no.
Q) What drove you to Blues?
A) I did not choose it. It chose me.
Q) Why is it that you never thought of getting married?
A) I am 53 now. Years back, I had thought of settling down with a rich man but then gave up the idea. Music is now my spiritual husband and I have dedicated my life to it. Music is worse than a jealous husband! It is too demanding, I really couldn't have married.
Q) What do you think of motherhood? It is said a woman is incomplete unless she bears a child.
A) I do not have to restrict my maternal love to just one or two children; they don't have to be mine, biologically speaking. Instead, I am a mother to all my troupe members who feel secure in my protective care.
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