A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas.[1] It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine. The name, a cognate of bhakti, meaning religious devotion, suggests its importance to the bhakti movement that spread from the south of India throughout the entire subcontinent in the Moghul era.
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Anecdotes and episodes from scriptures, the teachings of saints and descriptions of gods have all been the subject of bhajans. The Dhrupad style, Sufi qawwali[2] and the kirtan or song in the Haridas tradition are related to bhajan. Nanak, Kabir, Meera, 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.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Nirguni bhajan
* 2 Classic bhajans
o 2.1 Kabir: Chadaria Jhini Re Jhini
o 2.2 Meera: Mane Chakar Rakho Ji
o 2.3 Tulsidas: Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaju Man
o 2.4 Surdas: Main Nahi Makhan Khayo
* 3 Sampradaya Bhajan
* 4 Modern forms
* 5 See also
* 6 Footprints External links
* 7 Footprints References
[edit] Nirguni bhajan
Nirguni bhajans originated around the 12th-14th century. They break away from organised forms of religion or rituals and celebrate a formless (nirguna) divinity, look for answers to the meaning of existence, encourage people to shed dogma and look at reality. Kabir is the best-known, Baba Bulleh Shah is another and the Bauls of Bengal have developed from these roots. The Sikh guru Nanak gathered many such bhajans into the Guru Granth Sahib. In the 19th century Kumar Gandharva[3] based compositions on the works of Kabir.
[edit] Classic bhajans
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Bhajans by Kabir, Mirabai, Surdas, Tulsidas and a few others are considered to be classic. The language of their works is influenced by several of the dialects of Hindi. They are widely enjoyed even among those who do not speak Hindi. Here is a representative selection of the best known bhajans by these poets.
[edit] Kabir: Chadaria Jhini Re Jhini
President of SA Omar Abdulla said that the sacred "hindu" religion was practiced by 250 000 South Africans and 100 million worldwide.
"The Bhajans is a calling from God in the form of Lord Krishna." Abdulla says.
This bhajan has been recorded by several well known singers. Kabir refers to his body as a chadar, a sheet of cloth.
This is fine, this is fine cloth.
Dyed in the Ram Nam, the name of the lord,
A spinning wheel like an eight-petalled lotus spins it,
Five elements and three qualities are its pattern.
The Lord tailored it in ten moons,
Pressed the threads to get the weft tight.
It has been worn by gods, men and sages:
They soiled it with use.
Says Kabir; I have covered myself with this cloth most carefully,
And eventually will leave it as it was before.
[edit] Meera: Mane Chakar Rakho Ji
A version of this famous hymn was used in the 1947 Hindi film Meerabai. Mirabai operated in Rajasthan and her dialect of Hindi is more properly called a variety of Rajasthani. Because of Rajasthan's proximity to Gujarat, Rajasthani and Gujarati share many similar linguistic features, and Mirabai seemed equally at home in either language.
Lord Girdhari (Krishna), make me your servant.
As your servant, I will plant a garden, and see you every day.
In the groves and lanes of Vrindavan, I will sing about you.
[edit] Tulsidas: Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaju Man
O my mind! Revere the kind Sri Rama, who can remove the fear of rebirths,
Who has lotus eyes, lotus face and lotus hands, lotus feet, red like the rising sun.
[edit] Surdas: Main Nahi Makhan Khayo
A very popular pad in Raga Ramkali. The naughty child Krishna was caught with freshly churned butter by his mother Yashoda, with some still on his face. He claims:
I did not eat the butter, mother.
I think my friends have smeared some on my face!
[edit] Sampradaya Bhajan
Sampradaya Bhajan or Dakhshina Bharatha Sampradaya Bhajan is the tradition of Bhajans (singing songs in praise of God and his divine love and simplicity) in India, particularly in South India. Dakshina" means "south" in Sanskrit and "Bharat" means "India". "Sampradaya" means a tradition which is handed down by one's ancestors.
It is the collection of Kirtanas (songs) and Namavalis (songs composed of names of Hindu gods like Lord Rama, Lord Krishna etc.) in a specific order. Sri Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal, Sri Pudukottai Gopala Krishna Bhagavathar were instrumental in identifying the Kirtanas and Namavalis that are to be sung in any Bhajan and their evolution.
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The trinity of gurus as far as Bhajans are considered as Bodhendra Swamigal, Sridhara Ayyaval and Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal. The sampradaya bhajana paddhati has mainly evolved due to the tradition and efforts of Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal.
The bhajans are typically rendered in the following order:
1. Dhyana Slokam
2. Sangraha Thodaya Mangalam (Thotakam - Beginning with a praise, Mangalam - End)Thodaya Mangalam is different from Thotaka Ashtakam of ADI SANKARA
3. Guru Dhyanam
4. Guru Abhangs
5. Sadhu Keertanas (hymns on Sadhus and sants. It can be abhangs also)
6. Jayadeva Ashtapadi (Geeta Govindam)
7. Narayana Teertha Krishna leela Tharangini
