Devotional Music

India is a land of many faiths and religions. There a vast variety of religions and an array of beliefs further, in these religions and faiths Hence, devotional music becomes a major part of Indian Music. It may be in the form of Chants, Bhajans, Shabad Kirtan, Borgeet, Qawalli or Sufi Song. Various faiths of India have there own devotional music.

BHAJAN

A Bhajan is a kind of Indian devotional song, generally sung by the followers of Hinduism or Hindus. It has no fixed form ans my range from a simple mantra (chant) to a sophisticated dhrupad or kriti, based on classical ragas and tals.

A Bhajan is normally lyrical, expressing love and devotion for the Divine Lord or conveying a philosophical message. Anecdotes and episodes from scriptures, the teachings of saints and descriptions of gods have all been the subject of bhajans. Nanak, Kabir, Meera Bai, Narottama Dasa, Surdas and Tulsidas are notable composers. Traditions of bhajan such as Nirguni, Gorakhanathi, Vallabhapanthi, Ashtachhap, Madhura-bhakti and the traditional South Indian form Sampradya Bhajan each have their own repertoire and methods of singing. Bhajan singing developed as a result of the Bhakti Movement during the Mughal Era.

Below are a few examples of Bhajan Singing in India.

Meera Bai's Bhajan, Sanvaro Nand Nandan, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

Hanuman Chalisa sung by legendary Carnatic singer, M.S. Subbulakshmi.


Jaagiye Brij Raj Kunwar sung by Kavitha Krishnamurthy in Mahabharat.