Singh’s passion for religious music
HINDU religious texts have played a significant role in shaping Nadi’s “bhajan prince” Deepak Singh’s music career. “The knowledge gained through the religious books helps mould a bhajania
because you learn about the different tales and events and based on that, we compose our bhajan,” he said.
Mr Singh said Khajri and Tambura
bhajan were the most popular and had captivated audiences by evoking memories of the yesteryears.
But, like every other art form, as time passed, musical styles and tastes have evolved and today’s bhajanias have to also learn to adapt to the modern era of
bhajan.
“The thing is that we have to change with time and as each generation grows, we have to move with the current generation – otherwise the young people lose interest,” the 27-year-old said.
He said it was one of the biggest challenges facing bhajanias – trying to stay true to the Hindi religious music while appealing to the new generation.
Mr Singh said the older generation of
bhajan lovers should never feel that they were being disrespected.
He said the legendary bhajanias
who laid the foundation for the Hindu religious music in Fiji had left behind a very rich platform.
“We are following our ancestors, but our style of singing has changed to accommodate the audience of the current times.”
Mr Singh said bhajan were a very distinct type of music because the songs were not just sung for any particular function, “it holds a lot of sentiments for all those who are actively involved in
bhajan”.
“Bhajan sung at funeral gatherings are all written in the religious scriptures and the bhajania has to just read and read to understand its contents and know when and how to recite it properly.”
He said it was a journey of self-discovery that he had undertaken and it began with him reading a lot of religious books to broaden his knowledge.
“If you are singing during a staged event, and are singing a particular
vistaar, then you must know the story in the Mahabharata about it and come up with a bhajan, however, that is not the case while singing bhajan during funeral gatherings.”
Mr Singh said if a bhajania was singing the Ram Avatari bhajan, then in-depth knowledge of Ramayana was extremely important.
He said if bhajan on Krishna Avatari were sung, then knowledge about the events that took place during the Mahabharata was important and if bhajan
on Shiv Avatari needed to be sung, then knowledge of Shiv Puran was important.
“There are three bhajanias in Fiji that I admire – Shiu Dayal, Pravin Mani and Ashok Kumar.
“Apart from learning from them, I have kept a lot of bhajan books and those help me improve my knowledge and skill as a bhajania.”
He said learning was an everyday process.
“You will never be able to learn everything at once, there would be occasions when you would be singing in a gathering, you would come across things you might not have any idea about and only dedicated bhajanias would come back home and assimilate the new knowledge.”
Mr Chand said he was proud and it was also humbling to know that people liked his music and respected him through his
bhajans.
“My advice to upcoming new artists is to stay humble and grounded if you want to be successful in the bhajan
fraternity.
“Bhajan for me is about peace and coming closer to God. It keeps your mind fresh and relaxed.”
He said he was very well versed with the Hanuman vistaar as it talked about the Hindu deity Hanuman.
“I feel more connected to the one above when I sing in this vistaar.”
Mr Singh also called for more unity within the bhajan fraternity.
“There is no use in being a show-off. I initially did the same, but nobody recognised me much and it was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way and the experience has made me a better and more disciplined bhajania.”