Bhajans are an easy way to connect with our Indian roots

Bhajans are an easy way to connect with our Indian roots
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Shivali Bhammer, a British Indian musician who first launched ‘The Bhajan Project’ 10 years ago, is back with a follow up album to the widely successful compilation with fresh and innovative renditions of devotional music.

‘The Bhajan Project 2’ is crafted as a contemporary expression of spirituality with a collection of the most popular bhajans and familiar mantras which Shivali herself has grown up to. Blending an eclectic mix of beats and sounds from the genres of R&B, soul, rock and pop, every bhajan is designed to touch the soul. Her albums are produced by her rakhi brother, producer and singer song-writer Arjun Coomaraswamy.

In this interview with iGlobal, Shivali shares her many highlights from the new album, the inspiration behind the melodies and motivation behind popularising bhajans worldwide.

Q

What are the highlights for you from ‘The Bhajan Project 2’?

A

The Aarti Om Jai Jagdish Hare – I am really happy with the tone, production and devotion in that track. We deliberately created pauses to add depth and texture to the song and you feel it coming through.

I also like the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra because it was challenging to produce. We have a style that is contemporary and urban, but it is one of the most powerful and important mantras, so we had to get it right. I injected my Kathak bol into it, since Lord Shiva is the Lord of Dance, and it created a completely new dimension to the mantra.

Q

Do you feel your albums have made bhajans more accessible to a wider audience base?

A

I would hope so – that was definitely the intention. I get a lot of messages from people from random places like Brazil, or South Korea as well as places that have a huge Hindu audience such as the US and UK.

When you grow up outside of India, you want to connect to your roots in a way that you can recognise and is easy – I think that's what our bhajans do.

Q

How do you see the role of devotional music evolving within a diaspora audience since the first album?

A

I think I was the pioneer in the space, and since then we have had many people get involved in making bhajans that represent their music style and I think that is great. My personal role is to represent devotional music authentically, and hopefully people can apply that devotion to their mindset and outlook in life for a joyful existence.

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Q

Your video is shot at a very iconic location in the UK; please tell us more.

A

Yes, it is at the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford known as Bhaktivedanta Manor, which was gifted to ISKCON by a member of the Beatles, George Harrison. I think it's beautiful that it came to ISKCON through a musician, and now I sing bhajans there. The temple is a home to Hindus in London, it is a place where the doors are always open. 

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Q

And, your personal favourites from the album, the ones you find yourself humming all the time?

A

Radhe Radhe and Payoji Maine. I am a romantic, and both are deeply romantic in their spiritual message. It fills my heart on a cold grey day in London.

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