Pramodini Rao, academic and campus director, Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula conducted a bhajan workshop at Saraswati Vidyalaya, Chembur. Over 45 participants had the privilege of being showered with melodious hymns by Pramodiniji, who is soaked in devotion to the entire Guru Parampara. Since this weekend workshop was right after Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 25th Mahasamadhi Day, the participants were even more devotionally charged up!
Beginning with a Ganesha bhajan, written and composed by Smt. Susheela Acharya, Pramodiniji’s mother, in raag Malkauns, the participants were treated to a musical feast comprising different ragas, styles and genres of bhajans. From Hindustani classical to Carnatic, to folk and bhajans, compositions of Sant Tulsidas, Sant Tukaram, Sant Purandaradasa and our very own Guruji, Swami Tejomayanandaji. Pramodiniji herself is a composer and takes after her mother who has composed scores of bhajans for Chinmaya Mission, many at the request of Gurudev Himself.
Pramodiniji and her energetic team kept the participants in rapturous musical meditation for the entire duration. Many aspects of bhajan singing – solo and group were taught, including emphasis on tune, rhythm and emotion, as well as performance tips. Training was given on how to exercise the vocal chords. There were breaks for lunch, snacks and tea, arranged generously by Smt. Latha Rajsekhar and Smt. Shyamala Acharya. The participants were of different ages and walks of life, however, their feedback was unanimous – “We should have such workshops more often!”
