Bhajan jamming concerts in Hyderabad blend devotional music with live concert energy

A new cultural trend in Hyderabad is blending devotional music with concert-like energy, as bhajan jamming sessions attract youth and families alike. Featuring live instruments and collective singing, these events are becoming popular weekend experiences across the city.

Hyderabad: Concerts have long been associated with Bollywood chartbusters, EDM drops and late-night parties. But a new kind of live music experience is drawing crowds across Hyderabad, one where the stage setup, cheering audience and concert-like energy remain the same, but the playlist is entirely devotional.

Everything about it feels like a concert-the stage, the crowd, the excitement and the music. The only difference is that instead of singing along to film songs or dance tracks, hundreds of people are chanting bhajans together. Accompanied by dholak, tabla and energetic vocals, audiences join in for renditions of Shiv Tandav, Krishna bhajans and other devotional favourites.

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“The energy is incredible. Everyone is singing together and for a few hours you forget everything else on your mind. It feels surreal,” says 25-year-old student, Tej Sharma. “You get the same excitement as a concert, but there is something much more calming about it,” he adds.

Far from the quiet, seated image many associate with devotional music, Bhajan Jamming is loud, immersive and highly participative. People clap to the rhythm, sing along with the performers and become part of the experience itself. The trend has been gaining momentum through regular events hosted by groups such as The Band Sumiran, Backstage Siblings and other devotional music collectives that continue to organise sessions across the city.

The gatherings are also attracting older audiences and families looking for meaningful ways to spend their weekends. Unlike conventional nightlife experiences, Bhajan Jamming creates a space where multiple generations can participate together.

“This is probably the best trend I’ve seen in a long time. We always worry about where our children are going when they attend concerts or large events, but this is something we can enjoy together as a family,” says Reena Mishra, 56, who recently attended a session with her husband and children. “It has the same excitement and atmosphere as a concert, but it is centred around devotion. You see children, parents and even grandparents singing along together, and that is what makes it so special.”