Review: Firstly, I would like to give full credit to fellow MS member and friend, Karan Arora, for inspiring me write on this topic. In the times, of rock and roll, and Nikammas and Kambakts and Kameenaas, listening to devotional music, soothens your soul and uplifts your spirit.
I would be a hypocrite if I said I dont enjoy the chartbusters of today, but I definitely take time out to listen to Bhajans(Devotional Songs)
Thank God the topic is 10 BEST and not TOP 10 songs, as all these songs are close to my heart and I wouldnt like to rate them, but just share them with you- ofcourse -i have not limitted to 10 but just as many come to my mind
1.Hey Gobind Hey Gopal -Jagjit SIngh-Album: Hare Krishna
2.Govind Bolo Hari Gopal Bolo- ANup Jalota- Hari Kirtan-Times Music Lovely words, great music, especially the ending where the lines are repeated in higher and higher scale-ecstacy
3.Sarveshwari Jagdeshwari -Jagjit Singh -Album-Bhaj Mann Pyare- a very slow and melodious number about Mata-
It goes like this
Sarveshwari Jagdeshwari hey matru roop maheshwari
karunamayi mamtamayi hey matru roop maheshwari
3.Omkara Swaroopa- Suresh Wadkar- A very popular bhajan among most- especially here in Mumbai, most cultural programmes begin with this, invoking Lord Ganesha’s blessings
4.Rang De Chunariya- Anup Jalota - Another superb rendering by the Bhajan Samrat:
4 unforgettable lines from this:
JAL SE PATLA KAUN HAI-KAUN BHOOMI SE BHARI
KAUN AGAN SE TEZ HAI-KAUN KAAJAL SE KAARI
JAL SE PATLA GYAN HAI-AUR PAP BHOOMI SE BHAARI
KRODH AGAN SE TEZ HAI AUR KALANK KAAJAL SE KAARI
SHAM PIYA MORI RANG DE CHUNARIYA .RANG DE CHUNARIYA
In English, this would mean:
What is thinner than water, WHat is heavier than EARTH
What is sharper than fire, what is darker than Kohl
Knowledge is thinner than water, Sin heavier than earth
Anger sharper than fire and kalank(don’t know the exact word in English for this) is darker than Kohl
(when these 4 lines end, there is a defeaning round of applause in the Live recorded Audio)
The meaning is so indepth and the music so wonderful, I must have heard this particualr song so many times -constantly rewinding!
5.Prabhu Tero Naam-Movie-Hum Dono-Lata
parbhoo tero naam jo dhyaaye fal paaye,
sukh laaye tero naam teree dayaa ho jaaye to daataa,
jeewan dhan mil jaaye too daanee, too antaryaamee,
teree kriapaa ho jaaye to swaamee har bigadee ban jaaye, jeewan dhan mil jaaye
bas jaaye moraa sunaa anganaa khil jaaye murazaayaa kanganaa,
jeewan mein ras aaye
Extremely soulful, a wonderful prayer as well - I sing it very often, when Im sad, when im happy, get connected To GOD
6.Ik tu hi Bharosa, ik tu hi sahara- Movie-Pukar-sung by Lata Mangeshkar One of the most devotional songs sung in recent times in Hindi movies
7.Tumhi meri mandir, tumhi meri pooja, tumhi devta ho, tuumhi devta ho
.// Koi meri aankhon se dekhe tosamjhe ki tum mere kya ho, ke tum mere kya ho
8.Vaishnav Janto Sangeethakalanidhi M.S.Subbulakshmi-
A little about this immensely famous artiste-quoted from a website- M.S. style of singing is not based on identifiable techniques of execution but on the communication of a mood, of an ecstasy of emotion. Ancient theoreticians called this’rasadhwani’ when art becomes an experience of the ultimate bliss, within and without. M.S. exemplifies this in her choice of raaga and saahithya, balance of mood and technique, contextual appropriateness and in the consonance she establishes with her accompanists and audience. At 80, M.S. continues to increase in mellow artistry.
9.Payo Ji Maine Ram Rattan( D.V.Pulaskar) also sung by lataji, a very popular and favorite Meera bhajan
- Tu pyar ka sagar hai teri ik boond ke pyase hum
11.Ram ka Gungaan Kariye- Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Two maestros in a duet -the result is sheer bliss-
12.Saanjh savere adhro pe mere bas tumra hai naam saavariya,
bas tumra hai naam
mai tumri daasi tum mere swami, mai radha tum shyam, saavariya.
Dont recollect the movie, but lovely bhajan sung by Lataji again- looks like most bhajans in Hindi movies have ben sung by Lataji
13.A wonderful albeit not very well known bhajan from Commercial movie-SHAGIRD
Kaanha kaanha aan padi mai tere dwar
mohe chaakar samajh nihaar, kaanha. Picturised on Saira Banu, the music and the lyrics are excellent.
14.Hare Krishna hare krishna-shankar mahadevan-album-Hari kirtan-TIMES MUSIC
Wonderfully rendered- When I was hearing this song from my walkman in the bus, I completely forgot my surroundings, was totally unaware of people around me, I was one with the ALmighty- full credit to Shankar mahadevan for singing with so much devotion and soul. In fact, nearly all songs from this album are extremely good, collection of various artistes and the tunes will appeal to the young and old alike-Must-buy for anyone who likes spiritual music.
THANKS FRIENDS FOR GOING THROUGH MY FAV BHAJANS. Shall keep adding more in comments, as and when I recollect