A child prodigy who began composing at the tender age of four, Dr Shobha Raju is a highly acclaimed devotional singer, writer, and composer who has dedicated her entire life to spreading the sacred keertanas of Saint Annamacharya. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to devotional music, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri in 2010. She is also the founder of Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini, an institution established to harmoniously blend music and spirituality.

Dr Shobha Raju’s journey with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba dates back to the 1960s. Swami has personally guided her at every step of her life — be it her marriage, her musical career, her spiritual sadhana, or her divine mission of carrying Saint Annamacharya’s compositions to every heart. Through His love and guidance, she has inspired generations of youngsters to combine their passion for music with devotion to the Almighty.

In this first part of the conversation, she lovingly shares how her faith in Bhagawan first sprouted and gradually took deep root in her heart and consciousness.