Bring Out The Manjeeras: Bhajan Jams Are In
If you thought the world of Indian nightlife ended with Bollywood and EDM, think again. The latest trend emerging to ease into a work-week Wednesday or a fun Friday night is Gen-Z’s latest: Bhajan Jamming.
And it’s exactly what it sounds like. A band, DJ or singer takes the stage live and leads the crowd into a chorus of devotional songs for the night. Many such events have popped up even in major metro cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Even popular names like the Nandy sisters and the Backstage Siblings have come out with tracks and events of their own, while AI-generated bhajans also seem to be well on their way to making an impact.
Unsurprisingly, many popular venues and platforms have chosen to accelerate and capitalise on the new trend. From booking portals like BookMyShow and District to major arenas like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), bhajan jamming is climbing the charts in record time.
Though the question on most minds is why. Is this an evolution of the humble kirtan that the young have taken from the old and rebranded? Is it a collective consciousness (or perhaps a coping mechanism)of faith in a world where dystopia and cynicism are on the rise? Or perhaps it isn’t a question of faith at all, just a way to build a community of like-minded people who appreciate devotional music.
Only time will tell whether bhajan jamming is just a new fad that comes and goes, or something meant to stay and shape the cultural scene of an entire generation for years to come.
