The festive mood now seems to be in full swing. With Ras Garba getting everybody dancing to its tunes and temples attracting hordes of people, I began to wonder if its because of this atmosphere that I feel like listening to devotional songs or is it just a huge expanse of time after which I have heard Vishnu Sahastranamam.
Either way, I am on my way to describe some of the most popular gems of devotional music. There is no particular order for most of these Bhajans belong to different genres among themselves. Hope you enjoy?
1) Suprabhatam? M.S.Subbulakshmi
How would you like to start your day with the mellifluous voice of this legend singing hymns in the name of Lord Venkateswara? This supposed to be a wake up call for the Lord himself.
Kowsalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya
pravarthathe Uthishta narasardoola
karthavyam daivamahnikam
O Rama, son of Kowsalya and dearest to the people
The dawn before sunrise is on its way
Rise, O Tiger among humans
Your divine duties beckon you.
Sung beautifully by MS, this has always been our wake up call too every Saturday morning as a kid at 6 in the morning. Nostalgia takes over whenever I remember those days my Dad would get up and start the radio and for those fifteen minutes everyone at home would get up remembering the Lord?s name. It?s a different experience altogether having filter coffee and listening to this hymn. The melody overwhelms you.
2) BhajaGovindam
Another gem from the?nightingale of Carnatic music?. The HMV cassette has a talk by none other than C. Rajagopalachari himself where in he has elaborated on the glory of this hymn. This hymn, while identifying every human being with Lord Govinda, evokes ironically, power and strength in everyone who hears these beautiful verses?.
Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam
Govindam Bhaja mudhamate
Samprapte sannihite kale
Nahi nahi rakshati dukrunjkarane
Adore the Lord, adore the Lord,
Adore the Lord, O fool!
When the appointed time(for departure) comes,
the repetition of grammatical rules will not, indeed, save you.
3) Prabhu tero Naam? Hum Dono
One of the lesser known songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar, this Bhajan from the film talks about the benefits of praying to the Lord. The melody given by Jaidev, lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi, the music itself is inspiring. Needless to say it was effortlessly sung by Lata.
Prabhu tero naam, Jo dhyay phal paaye, Sukh laaye tero naam
Teri Daya ho jaaye to Daata, Jeevan dhan mil jaaye.
4) Allah tero Naam, Ishwar tero naam
Another wonderful bhajan from the same movie, It happens to be the most popular choice of all singers in music contests. In addition to smooth rendition by Lata, the words have a profound effect on every listener. In fact, these words are a lot more relevant now than they ever were. Peace and Music share a symbiotic relationship and this song is a perfect combination of both.
Allah tero naam, Ishwar tero naam,
Sabko Sanmati de Bhagwan.
This song talks about giving strength to the weak and wisdom to the strong. Won?t we all wish the same to everyone? Strength and wisdom, sanity and perfection? in everything we do?.
5) Tora Mann Daran kehlaye - Kaajal
Asha Bhosle is best known for those peppy numbers she has sung for RD along with Kishore Kumar and the melodious OP Naiyar numbers of 60s. This bhajan sung by her happens to be my favourite for two reasons. The versatility of Asha?s voice notwithstanding, it?s the meaning of that song that I can completely identify with and I am sure many of you guys do so as well. This song has very rightly glorified the conscience, the power of the mind, the voice within and so many other phrases which fail to aptly describe the strength and truth that?s deeply embedded in one?s mind. Just listen to the voice within for it is omniscient. You can never escape your conscience and that makes it the most potent weapon against evil and negative feelings. One of those songs which guide you, uplift your mood and evoke every bit of positive emotions which you need to evoke in yourself in trying times or otherwise. Listen and enjoy.
Tora Mann Darpan Kehlaye,
Bhale Bure Sare Karmon ko dekhe aur Dikhlaye.
6) Aiye maalik tere bande hum- Do Aankhein Barah Haath
This movie was one of the finest in terms of script and direction and it drove home the fact that prisoners are human, mortal and as pure as gentle as any person can claim to be. This song is sung by Sandhya when V.Shantaram, a jailor, is on his death bed while the prisoners pray along with Sandhya.
Aiye Maalik tere bande hum-aise hon hamare karam- Neki par chale?
It?s a prayer to the Lord which emphasizes on the need for everyone to tread on the path of goodness and righteousness thereby ensuring peace at the end of our lives. A very touching number.
7) Vaishnava Jana to
This is a Gujarathi bhajan which as all of us know is sung at the Mahatma?s birth anniversary every year. Vaisnava Jana to tene kahiye je pir parayi jane re( A Vaishnava individual can be said as the one who knows the suffering of the others) is credited to Narsi Mehta. This was Mahatma Gandhi?s favourite Bhajan. Need I say more?
8) Anammaya?s Bhajan
Popularised by the movie by the same name which got a national award for Nagarjuna playing the role of Annamayya, widely regarded as one of the best known exponents of Carnatic Music. Anammayya was a staunch devotee of Lord Balaji and his compositions in the name of the Lord have been sung again and again by all aspiring singers down south. I like all the compositions but my favourite remains Adivo?.
9)Piya Haji Ali? Fiza
I love Sufi music and when its composed by ARR himself, do I need to elaborate any further. Sung by ARR himself, the essence of Sufism and the mysticism cannot be missed. You just get engrossed in such soulful music completely detached from the world.
10)Bombay theme? Bombay
A lot of readers might not agree to the inclusion of this instrumental melody but I have my reasons for doing the same. Just ignore the fact that this number lacks words. Close eyes and listen to this theme letting all emotions pass by. Open your eyes once its over. Did it evoke any negative feelings? I am sure it didn?t. For me a Bhajan is one that ensures a calm atmosphere for the listener letting him imbibe every positive thought. And this bit of music does that, right?
Please do leave some comments.
Keerti
