For centuries, homes, temples, and community halls in India have echoed with the sounds of families and loved ones sitting down together and immersing themselves in ‘bhajans’. Today, that same soulful music has found a new setting in the form of bhajan clubbing or bhajan jamming sessions, curated to attract younger audiences. These sessions are emerging as a new cultural format in the city, and since their formal introduction around August 2025, they have gained ground rapidly, both in terms of attendees and organisers.

 

For Mayur Motwani, a chartered accountant (CA) and co-founder of one such group, the idea was never to make money or gain fame. “Our primary focus was always to give Nagpurians this experience. In Nagpur, if you want to go out with friends or just enjoy an evening alone, there isn’t much to do apart from going to cafes or theatres. Jamming sessions were a unique way to bring people together in a family-friendly setting. We initially started with a few Bollywood songs as well as bhajans, but because the bhajans were so popular with everyone, we switched to only bhajan jamming,” he explained. “These gathering were initially organised keeping the youth in mind, but surprisingly, we get people from all age groups who participate enthusiastically.”

 

“If I had to describe this concept simply, it would be ‘devotion meets vibe’,” said Mayur. “We wanted to create a bridge between spirituality and an interesting social experience. I have observed that a lot of young people today do not regularly visit temples or actively engage with religious practices. These sessions provide an alternative ‘entry point’ that retains devotion, which is the essence of bhajans, while making it more interesting and relatable for the youth.” Another organiser, Sneha Umredkar, told The Hitavada, “The atmosphere during these bhajan clubbing sessions is surreal. Everybody is completely engrossed in the music. There is so much excitement and togetherness in the air; I have personally witnessed so many sessions as an organiser, but even I get goosebumps.” 

 

Music selection plays a central role in shaping this experience. “We deliberately choose well-known bhajans so that everyone can join in the singing. At the same time, we introduce lesser-known bhajans that we think the audience may enjoy. This also lets the audience learn new bhajans. Ultimately, the main focus is participation from the audience, and we try to inculcate that as much as possible.” Mayur added. Safe atmosphere for women Sneha said that a large portion of the audience during sessions is women. “This makes sense too, as the environment is much safer for women as compared to traditional clubs. There is obviously no alcohol, and everyone comes with their families, so there is no scope of any sort of harrassment towards women.” She explained. “I see so many girls coming with their friends, sisters, or cousins, simply to have a good time without worrying about their safety. It is very heartwarming to know that we have been able to create such a space through our platform.” What distinguishes these sessions is not a reinvention of how bhajans are sung, but a chance in how it is experienced. By relocating a familiar practice into a new social setting, the organisers are creating a space where devotion, music, and community intersect, in the most wholesome way possible.