India, June 17 -- Just back from a US tour, Lokshahir (folk poet) Sambhaji Bhagat is preparing for his next - to Italy and the UK. Bhagat, born into a Dalit family, who started out as a revolutionary street theatre activist in Mumbai in the '70s and '80s, is today the most respected folk singer in Maharashtra. The new Museum of Music, in Bengaluru, has a special display on him. He spoke to Jyoti Punwani, taking time out from preparing for his forthcoming tour.

How did your sudden US tour come about? The wait for US visas is interminable, yet you got one superfast.

I did nothing, except to say I had no objection to performing at the University of Michigan, when asked by another artiste who had performed there! It was all arranged by prof...