I got my name patented because people were using my name and videos without permission: Atul Purohit

Veteran singer Atul Purohit, who is one of the biggest crowd-pullers during Navratri and has played a key role in making Vadodara’s garbas famous worldwide, has no plans of performing at any post-Navratri concerts outside India this year. Every year, NRGs (non-resident Gujaratis) in countries like Australia, Canada and the USA wait with bated breath for his performances before and after Navratri (Purohit performs in Vadodara during Navratri).But even though a few Gujarati singers are planning to travel abroad for Navratri gigs later this year, depending on the COVID-19 situation, he has no such plans. He tells us, “Even now, the COVID-19 situation in places like Australia and the USA isn’t encouraging. Although I am fully vaccinated, I don’t want to take any chances and even the other musicians in my group are of the same opinion. There is no point in risking our lives. Zinda rahenge toh paisa toh baad mein bhi kama lenge, but we have to be responsible towards our families also. Besides, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding visas and the COVID-19 situation in those countries. If we go and get stuck there for some reason, then it will be a nightmare. I don’t want to go through all those hassles. Even in India, I don’t think any big Navratri events will be allowed. All of us will have to wait till this pandemic is over to enjoy the festival like earlier.”
‘I enjoyed performing non-garba songs live after almost 25 years’
Recently, Purohit performed live in Vadodara at a popular auditorium and he enjoyed every bit of it. He shares, “While people know me as a garba singer, I sing other songs also and before I became famous, I would perform live and people loved listening to different genres. It was almost after 25 years that I performed live and people loved the non-garba songs, be it lok sangeet, bhajans or Hindi ghazals. Having a live audience cheering for you is a different kind of feeling altogether. Mujhe bahot mazaa aaya! Although I have nothing against virtual concerts, I don’t enjoy them much as an artiste. It’s like looking at the photograph of your favourite delicacy. Aap uss cheez ko kha nahi sakte, fir uss ka kya fyaada (laughs)?”
‘I don’t consider myself a star, but it was necessary to get my name patented’
Recently, the singer was also in the news for getting his name patented, which is probably a first among artistes in Gujarat. Talking about getting himself registered under trademark and copyright laws, which means his name and photographs are protected by the copyright law now, the singer says, “It was my son Jigar and his friend Yash’s idea to get this done. For years, many people had been using my name, photographs and videos in their websites, online channels and so on. In fact, a popular video sharing platform had more than 100 channels in my name! So, it was necessary to get my name patented and prevent people from misusing it. Main koi star nahin hoon, I am just ‘dada’, as people fondly call me (smiles). But when something gets published online using my name, it becomes my responsibility too.”
‘These have been difficult times for musicians’
With very few live performances happening in the last 18 months or so, it has been a tough phase for musicians. Says Purohit, “Yes, these have been extremely difficult times and although we have tried to help fellow musicians, I just hope that things get better soon.” Talking about the life lessons he has learnt amid the pandemic, he adds, “I think the pandemic has taught us to be more patient and value our family a lot more.”