Post by subi24 on Nov 21, 2012 20:57:44 GMT 5.5
Maharashtra has a long and proud tradition of song, dance, music and theatre. As school-going kids in the city of Pune, my brother and I often used to watch with wonder some of the street singers and performers. A typical street song in Marathi sounded more like a Bhajan in the glory of Lord Krishna. It went something like ...
Govind Rama Ho, Gopala Rama Ji-Ji
Keshava Rama Ho, Madhava Rama Ji-Ji
The singer used to wear a colorful conical cap decorated with peacock feathers. Holding a chiplya in the hand and anklets tied to his legs to complement singing a folk song, the singer was seen by kids as an amusing personality. Until recently, I never knew the name of this particular tribe of street singers. A few days back, it was my dear brother who told me that such singers are called '"Vasudev."
The bhajan-singing and entertaining heritage of Vasudev must be many centuries old. From the name of the tribe and their songs, it is inferred that the Vasudevs worshipped Lord Krishna. Was not Vasudev father of Lord Krishna?
The Vasudev is part of a nomadic tribe of Maharashtra and keeps traveling from one place to another, entertaining people with traditional songs and verses. Some of them work in farms to make a living. Right in the morning, the vasudeo starts singing in the streets persuading people to perform selfless charity and worship to Lord Krishna. Like abhangs, the songs are composed in Marathi language.
Here is a sample song with a rough translation:
Balichya vanshi janma ghetla, Kaalicha dhanda sodu nako l
Aik paranya, tula sangato, Hari bhajlyavij rahu nako ll
(You have taken birth in a religious home, do not leave your farm work
Listen, I tell you, Do not stop worshiping Lord Krishna)
While propagating Bhakti, Vasudeo does not forget to ask people for help to fulfil his family responsibilities. The song goes further like:
Tumhi Aaya Baayanno dya Vasudevnila choli
Aho lahan mulichya dya angachi kaacholi.
(You ladies, please donate a blouse for my wife and a garment for my young daughter)
Bhakti knows no bounds and Maharashtra is a forerunner in the matter of cultivating Bhajans and Bhakti both in the simplest ways.
The traditional Vasudeo was a very poor person but he has contributed immensely to build a rich tradition of Bhakti and Bhajans that add glory to the Hindu way of living!
Govind Rama Ho, Gopala Rama Ji-Ji
Keshava Rama Ho, Madhava Rama Ji-Ji
The singer used to wear a colorful conical cap decorated with peacock feathers. Holding a chiplya in the hand and anklets tied to his legs to complement singing a folk song, the singer was seen by kids as an amusing personality. Until recently, I never knew the name of this particular tribe of street singers. A few days back, it was my dear brother who told me that such singers are called '"Vasudev."
The bhajan-singing and entertaining heritage of Vasudev must be many centuries old. From the name of the tribe and their songs, it is inferred that the Vasudevs worshipped Lord Krishna. Was not Vasudev father of Lord Krishna?
The Vasudev is part of a nomadic tribe of Maharashtra and keeps traveling from one place to another, entertaining people with traditional songs and verses. Some of them work in farms to make a living. Right in the morning, the vasudeo starts singing in the streets persuading people to perform selfless charity and worship to Lord Krishna. Like abhangs, the songs are composed in Marathi language.
Here is a sample song with a rough translation:
Balichya vanshi janma ghetla, Kaalicha dhanda sodu nako l
Aik paranya, tula sangato, Hari bhajlyavij rahu nako ll
(You have taken birth in a religious home, do not leave your farm work
Listen, I tell you, Do not stop worshiping Lord Krishna)
While propagating Bhakti, Vasudeo does not forget to ask people for help to fulfil his family responsibilities. The song goes further like:
Tumhi Aaya Baayanno dya Vasudevnila choli
Aho lahan mulichya dya angachi kaacholi.
(You ladies, please donate a blouse for my wife and a garment for my young daughter)
Bhakti knows no bounds and Maharashtra is a forerunner in the matter of cultivating Bhajans and Bhakti both in the simplest ways.
The traditional Vasudeo was a very poor person but he has contributed immensely to build a rich tradition of Bhakti and Bhajans that add glory to the Hindu way of living!