Dharmasthala: Indian music consist different forms like Hindustani and Carnatic. To praise the Omnipotent, Bhajans and folk songs are sung which are soothing to the soul. One can attain some form of enlightenment when Bhajans are sung with total devotion. Dr. Veerendra Heggade feels Bhajans can help one to transcend material activities and bring together a divided society by removing barriers of caste and sects.
Dr. Veerendra Heggade took initiative to train interested youth in singing Bhajans and under his able guidance this vocal form has lasted 17 years. Every year, a weeklong training in singing Bhajans is imparted to those interested and this year it started on September 18.
As many as 220 aspirants belonging to 113 different singing troupes’ converged at Dharmasthala to get trained in the field of singing Bhanjas. Youth were given orientation and lectures were delivered to highlight important aspects related to singing Bhajans. Expert resource persons trained youth on tune, rhythm and pitch aspects to get the best output from trainees at the end of the session.
The most attractive feature during the training session, called Kammata is Bhajan dance where trainees sing and dance simultaneously. This is being to please God by getting totally involved in the activity where focus does not get distorted. Even remote villages practice this form of music and dance combination to this day. In the training session, trainees are taught to strictly adhere to the guidelines and follow beats and are asked to follow a pattern in which trainees go around in circles. One can view this form during the training period and in olden times’, servants of deity used traditional instruments and go around villages singing bhajans and folk songs to draw the attention of villagers. Most times the villagers used to gather around the performing servants in open fields or under large banyan trees to witness the rare performances and treat those men with great reverence.
In the last 17 years, 2899 members of different bhajan boards ( Mandalis) spread across the state have been trained in this form of music.
In the grand finale on September 24, 200 trainees from 200 Bhajan boards performed near the famous temple in Dharmastala in the open space. In the last 17 years, 52000 members from 400 bhajan boards have performed at the same venue.
During the valedictory function, Dr. Veerendra Heggade was accompanied by ISKCON president Madhu Pandit Das, State youth and sports minister Pramodh Madhwaraj and local Belthangady MLA Vasanth Bangera.
The main goal is to impart and cultivate good character among the youth and the organizers are happy with the response as the trend is spreading to nook and corners of the state. They also feel when one is totally involved in practicing and singing Bhajans, he will stay away from the ills that plague the modern society. Good life and personality can be developed through Bhajans, feels Dr.Veerendra Heggade who summed up on the importance of the entire three day event in a few words.
