Bhajans at Dawn


 



Bhajans at Dawn: A Symphony for the Sleepless

There’s a peculiar charm to a 5 AM walk in the park—the world is quiet, the air is crisp, and silence wraps around you like a warm shawl. Well, almost. Enter the loudspeaker brigade, a unique species of walkers armed with portable devotion. These are the heralds of the gods, blasting bhajans, suprabathas, and invocations at a volume that could wake not just the divine but possibly the Neighbours a few blocks away.

Devotion, they say, is personal. But for these folks, it’s a group activity—and by group, I mean the unwilling audience of fellow walkers who didn’t sign up for this early-morning concert.

It’s as if they – these “brigade”  are on a divine mission to ensure no one, not even the squirrels, escapes enlightenment. The melody of birdsong is promptly drowned in the booming chorus of "Venkatesa Suprabatham," and the park’s tranquility transforms into a divine discotheque.

Of course, one could argue they’re performing a public service—offering free blessings . But it’s not just the volume; it’s the audacity. There’s something almost admirable about their ability to ignore the disapproving glances, the subtle clearing of throats, and the occasional pointed "tsk-tsk." They are unmoved, steadfast in their mission to bring piety to the people, one decibel at a time.

Irony abounds in this spiritual serenade. Here’s a playlist meant to invoke peace and calm, delivered in a way that inspires anything but divine chaos….Their version of devotion could send even the most patient yogi into a spiral of inner turmoil. And let’s not forget—some of us were under the impression that respecting others’ space and silence was also part of spirituality. Silly us.

So, here’s to the loud bhajan brigade, the uninvited DJs of dawn- Their speakers never run out of charge, their playlist remain as predictable as ever … Every day you get to witness the harmonious clash of devotion and disruption—a reminder that even the gods must have a sense of humor.

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