Navratri progressing finely and on the four day of the Festival we turn towards music and focus on the role of it in the ongoing festival.
We all very well know that Devotional songs and bhajans are sung in praise of Goddess Durga and soulful music help to connect with the divine energy of the Goddess and invoke her blessings.
When defined as nouns, Kirtan refers to a song praising a deity while bhajan is a personal communication with the divine. Kirtan in verb form in northern India refers to group singing of songs which may include bhajans. In southern India, the word for such a kirtan performance is referred to as bhajan.
The Bhajans in many Hindu traditions are a form of congregational singing and bonding, that gives the individual an opportunity to share in the music-driven spiritual and liturgical experience as well as the community a shared sense of identity, wherein people share food, meet and reconnect.
In general Devotional singing, known as bhajans or kirtan, can help to quiet the mind so that the heart can open to the divine, allowing us to taste the blissful reality that is our true nature. It is a participatory spiritual practice in which everyone is encouraged to sing and express their inner joy. No doubt Navratri is a great occasion for this.
Navaratri Golu is believed to have been celebrated since the existence of the Vijayanagar kingdom in 14th-century India, and was especially popular with the royal families of Thanjavur and Pudukkottai in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Golu consists of a makeshift staircase on which the dolls, which have been passed on from many generations are kept. Durga triumphed over Mahishasura on the 10th day of the war, which is celebrated as Dashara. To pay respect to the self-sacrifice of those deities the doll festival is observed by worshipping the Gods and Goddesses in the form of dolls.
It is celebrated in different parts of India like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka by creating dolls as gods, goddesses, animals, children, and men, etc. The devotees in Tamil Nadu believe that Bommai Golu or Kolu depicts the presence of God.
After setting up the Golu, friends, relatives and neighbours are invited to witness and the guest’s usually offer their prayers by singing devotional songs.
Married women and children, especially little girls, are specially called in homes each evening to see the golu. They are requested to also sing devotional songs in the honour of the goddess. They plan a set of songs, & practice before hand to sing in at invited golus’
They are then honoured by gifting betel leaves, coconuts, fruits, flowers, bangles, turmeric, kumkum, and prasad.
The famous songs regularly sung in Golu’s in South India are:
1. Himagiri Thanaye Hemalathe….
2. Bhaagyada Lakshmi baaramma….
3. Sri Sarasvathi namosthuthe…
4. Karpagavalli Nin porpadhangal piditthen…
5. Amba nee irangavidil enil ….
6. Ksheeraabdhi kanyakaku sri mahaalaksmiki…
Thus the environment becomes musical and joyous. This festival is an important occasion for socializing. During this season relatives and friends in south India make it a point to visit each other's homes.
Music adds a lasting touch to the festival and people around are ultimately blessed.
