Bhajan Workshop South Bestheda Center October 31, 2004

1. Bhajan Workshop South Bestheda Center October 31, 2004 An Offering at Thy Lotus feet Sairam

2. Objectives of this Workshop • Why do we sing Bhajans? • How do we sing Bhajans? • A Typical Bhajan Session Sequencing • Bhajans for Beginners • Bhajan Singing Techniques • Mike Singing Techniques • Bhajans - Cultural Influence • New Bhajans - Guidelines • Bhajan Singing: Key Success Factors – 3Ds • Divine Guidance – Lessons learnt at HIS lotus feet Sairam

3. Why do we sing Bhajans? “…The divine vibrations that result from bhajans you sing are spreading to all parts of the world. The divine name that you chant purifies the hearts of many. Sing the glory of God. By doing so you will render great help to the whole world” SSSB, Oct 9, 2002 Sairam

4. Why do we sing Bhajans? “…If bhajan is sung in a sweet voice, people will be drawn towards the Lord. Gradually it will be developed into Love for God, and His grace will follow in due course.” -Prasanthi Vahini, Page 12 Sairam

5. How do we sing Bhajans? • A Typical Bhajan Session Sequencing • Bhajans for Beginners • Bhajan Singing Techniques • Mike Singing Techniques • Bhajans - Cultural Influence • New Bhajans - Guidelines Sairam

6. A typical Bhajan session… • Bhajan – OM and first Bhajan in same pitch • Ganesh Bhajan – should take off smooth and fast • Second, Third Bhajan – Can be slower • Fourth Bhajan to END : speed should increase gradually to high energy bhajans. • Let us remember check mark • Demonstration Sairam

7. A typical Bhajan session… • Check Mark • 1- 14 Bhajans • Pick a Bhajan list • Sample Sequences • Appropriate • Not So Appropriate Sairam

8. Bhajans for Beginners • When can I sing Bhajans in the center? • Tune • Beat • Confidence • Car singing vs public singing • What is the attitude required? • What is the homework to be done? Sairam

9. Bhajans for Beginners • How should I select my initial Bhajans? • On the beat Bhajans • Simple words • Repetitive words • Easy to remember • Easy to follow • Check with recording • Pilot sessions Sairam

10. Bhajans for Beginners • Individual Bhajan Improvement Cycle • Selection >>Practice>>Signing>>Feedback • Where do I select/learn a Bhajan from? • Is there a list of Beginners Bhajans? • How do I Practice? • How to control my fear during Shruthi sessions? • How do I start if I feel the shruthi given is inappropriate? (Start of a Bhajan: Chord, Shruthi, Playing First Line ) • How do I know that I am improving? Sairam

11. Bhajan Singing Techniques • Bhajan selection techniques • Is this suitable to my Voice, Range and Pitch? • Is this suitable to my accent? • Is this suitable to the occasion? • Nagar sankirtan • Regular Center Bhajan • Yearly Akhanda Bhajan • Bhajans during service activity Sairam

12. Bhajan Singing Techniques • How to beat monotony? • Beats • Speed • Chords • Lord Names • Sarva Dharma • Language Sairam

13. Bhajans - Cultural Influence • Audio CDs Influence • Classical Influence • Regional Influence • Gender Influence • Other Songs Influence Sairam

14. Mike Singing techniques • Check the default volume of the mike and render • Breath (Inhale and exhale) should not be heard • Audio Setup: Car vs Hall • Cases: Singing in the mike • Closing eyes • Shaking and singing • Clapping and singing • Playing Instrument and singing • Reading the Bhajan from book and singing • Demonstrations Sairam

15. New Bhajans - Guidelines • Namasmarana is preferred over descriptive words • Can be exciting for the lead singer but should sound easy for those who follow the bhajan. • Following should be able to “float” the Bhajan • Rhythm – better to be in 8 or 6 • Compose in such a way the Bhajan will never be forgotten for generations e.g.:( “Like the sunlight, Love is my form, Gopala Radha lola, Ganga Jatadara, Vahe Guru etc.) Sairam

16. Bhajan Singing: Key Success Factors 3Ds – Devotion, Discipline and Dedication Devotion ( Between Swami and You ) • Bhajan Hall incidents – Bhagwan’s comments on devotion in Bhajans Discipline( Individual Level) • Brief and effective ( 50%) • Twice in the First Speed and Once in Second speed • High Pitch line of a Bhajan (Twice) – Not Appreciated by Bhagwan • Should know when to stop • Choose a bhajan which you can sing better instead of choosing a bhajan which you like • Long Bhajans with long lines more than 8 lines - how to render • Making faces and hand gestures while leading Dedication (Community Level) • Words should be clear like a mantra • Full throated and dynamic • Clap and sing • Not for listening only • No Unwanted delays in Second speed • One Sarva Dharma Bhajan per Bhajan session • Bhajans can be detailed but should make Audience participate Sairam

17. Divine Guidance – Lessons learnt at HIS lotus feet • Divine Encouragement in the Bhajan Hall (Parthi) • Singers – Thought process (examples) • Parthishwara Satya Sayeeshwara (Parthi) • Jagadeeshwari Dayakaro ma (Parthi) • Giridhara Govinda Gopala (Brindavan) • Singing sad tunes vs Bright tunes (Parthi) • Divine Treatments in the Bhajan Hall (Parthi) • Kalyana Krishna (Parthi), Sri Raghavam, Rama Katha • Importance of Aarathi (Brindavan) Sairam

18. Quote from Swami…. “…Leaders in bhajans should realize that many overseas devotees are deeply interested in bhajans and are eager to take part in them. The bhajans should be simple and easy for them to follow..” - Sri Satya Sai Baba, April 11, 1997 Sairam

19. Quote from Swami…. “…You should not expect people to follow whatever you sing… The names you chant should be short and sweet. Therefore in your bhajans use short names like Rama, Krishna, Yesu, Allah and so on. Then all would be able to follow you with ease. If you use high sounding words, few can follow you.” SSSB, April 11, 1997 Sairam

20. Questions?… Sairam

21. Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam… An offering at thy lotus feet Sairam