Sunday 18th January, 2009Dharmakshetra

List of Public Bhajan Centres

All India President SSSSO, had called for the list of Main or

Public Bhajan Centres in Mumbai.

15 Bhajan Centres from all Samithis were earmarked after consulting Zonal Convenors and / or Samithi Convenors

Upgrading the quality of Public Bhajan Centres

The Samithi Convenors, Spiritual Wing Co-ordinators

and Bhajan In-charges should fully participate in this project.

They should consider this (upgrading) as a part of the

Bhajan Movement.

Basic accompanying Instruments like harmonium,

tabla are essential. If necessary they may be hired.

Bhajan In-charges should ensure that all singers

maintain top quality of singing in bhajan sessions.

Discipline to be maintained at Public Bhajan Centres

Lead singers to report at least 10 minutes before the Aumkar

starts.

They should give their shrutis/scales of the Bhajans

before hand.

Complete silence to be maintained strictly before and

after the bhajan session.

Normally at least 14 bhajans should be sung in 50 minutes duration. This can be done by

NOT selecting lengthy bhajans and NOT repeating lines many

times by way of variations

Lead Singers at Main/ Public Bhajan Centres

All Lead Singers should be “P” and “P+” graded singers.

However any new singer who is very good but has not appeared for

audition test can be allowed to lead. He can be asked to appear for the audition test when it is conducted.

Should choose small 4 line bhajans and not lengthy

bhajans.

Should avoid unnecessary repetitions by the way of

variations.

Should select simple namavalis and not difficult bhajans.

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

Quote from Swami….

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

Quote from Swami….

“…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

Bhajan Training

All lead singers should attend bhajan training regularly.

Should treat this as practice sessions.

This will also help in preparation of the bhajans to be sung at the

next session.

Many “P” singers do not attend the training and also do not

practice.

Further, they attempt difficult bhajans and miserably fail. (Bhajan In-charges/Gurus

should monitor and control them).

Bhajan Guidelines

All singers should possess a copy of Bhajan Guidelines revised in March

2005.

They should study them and follow them strictly.

These are ideal to help upgrading the overall quality of bhajan sessions.

Auditions and Other Activities to be conducted at Zonal Level

In order to facilitate faster process and convenience of

singers,auditions will be conducted at

Zonal Level . They will co-ordinate with Shri Suresh

Mavinkurve at Central level.

Following persons are selected Zone wise for

conducting the Auditions.

Zone IShri Ramesh MenonSmt. Uma Bolangdi

Shri Darshan Kulkarni

Following persons are selected Zone wise for

conducting the Auditions.Zone II

Shri Naresh MayyaShri Jagat NarayanShri Vijay Narayan

Following persons are selected Zone wise for conducting the

Auditions.

Zone IIIShri Ravi PichanShri Santosh Pai

Shri Jayashankar SundaramShri P. V. HarishSmt. Leelavati

Following persons are selected Zone wise for conducting the

Auditions.

Zone IVShri Ashutosh Varma

Shri Jayakumar

Besides conducting auditions, the above persons will scout for

new singers and instrument players in all samithis of their

respective zones.

In Co-ordination with bhajan In-charge /Gurus they can, if

necessary, participate in their training/ practice sessions.

Group Singing by YouthIt is suggested that Group Singing

by Youth should be conducted at Public Places to promote Bhajan

Movement.

Suggested places are Bandstand, at the corner of Marine Drive,

Walkeshwar, Bandra and various other such prominent places.

They should be accompanied by all musical instruments .eg.

harmonium, tabla, dholak, guitar etc.

At these places preference should be given to Sarva

Dharma Bhajans.

Group Singing by Bal Vikas

It is suggested that Bal Vikas Children with good voices and

proper training by Bhajan Incharge of the Samithi be given a chance to sing in a group and

lead at Public Bhajans.

At such sessions, parents of Balvikas children to be

motivated to attend the same. This will encourage bhajan

singing as a sadhana amongst children and their parents.

Practise 5 D’s

DEDICATION: Giving up ego of being a P or P+ grade singer

DEVOTION: Sing bhajans with Divine feeling or bhava

DISCIPLINE: Following rules and regulations of the Organisation

strictly

DISCRIMINATION: Choosing

simple namavalis to take into account the time factor and to accommodate other singers

DETERMINATION : To fully participate in the Bhajan

movement and improve the quality of bhajan singing and

charge atmosphere with Divine vibrations.

Bhajan hall should be adorned with Bhagawan’s

Sayings in Bold Letters

Questions and Answers and Suggestions.

Courtesy:

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Mumbai