Kerala’s devotional music, particularly its bhajans and hymns, serves as a spiritual thread connecting the people with their gods, saints, and ancestors.
The Essence of Kerala’s Devotional Music
Devotional music in Kerala transcends religious boundaries. While bhajans and hymns are predominantly Hindu forms, the tradition of singing praises to the divine is also prominent in Christian and Muslim communities. Each religious community has its own unique style of devotional music, but they all share a common aim: fostering a sense of unity, reverence, and connection with the divine.
At the heart of this tradition lies the bhajan, a form of song that is lyrical, repetitive, and composed to be sung in groups. Bhajans are often sung in temples, homes, and during religious festivals. The hymns, on the other hand, are often poetic praises written in various regional languages, including Malayalam and Sanskrit. These hymns are typically dedicated to deities, saints, or even the elements of nature.
Bhajans in Kerala’s Hindu Tradition
In Kerala, Hindu devotional music thrives, especially during festivals and spiritual gatherings. Bhajans are the centerpiece of many of these occasions, offering a space for communal prayer and reflection. The Sopanam style of music, a classical form indigenous to Kerala temples, plays a significant role in elevating the spiritual ambiance of bhajans. Sopanam, often sung by temple singers called “Marars” or “Pothuvals,” accompanies temple rituals, particularly at the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayur Temple.
Bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna, such as the famous “Krishna Bhajans,” are popular in the Guruvayur temple circuit. Other deities like Lord Ayyappa and Lord Shiva are also celebrated through bhajans. Ayyappa bhajans, particularly during the pilgrimage season of Sabarimala, are widely sung across the state. Bhajans like “Harivarasanam” are so deeply cherished that they have become part of Kerala’s cultural fabric, sung in temples, homes, and even by people from different religious backgrounds.
Christian Hymns in Kerala
Christian devotional music also has a vibrant tradition in Kerala. The Christian hymns of Kerala, particularly those sung in Syriac, Malayalam, and Latin, are deeply spiritual and often have roots in the liturgical traditions of the Syrian Christian community. One of the key features of Christian hymns in Kerala is the use of traditional instruments like the Chenda (drum) and Elathalam (cymbals), adding a distinctly Kerala touch to these hymns.
Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches have unique liturgical hymns that are a blend of Western classical music and indigenous musical forms. These hymns are performed during Holy Mass, feast days, and processions. The Nazrani Pattu, a traditional Christian devotional song, is another important part of Kerala’s devotional music, bringing together both faith and folklore.
Islamic Devotional Music
In Kerala’s Muslim community, Mappilapattu and Moulid songs dominate the realm of devotional music. Mappilapattu, with its unique blend of Arabic, Malayalam, and Tamil influences, speaks of devotion, love, and reverence for God and the Prophet Muhammad. These songs are often sung during Islamic religious festivals, weddings, and special gatherings. The Moulid is another form of Islamic devotional chanting, where verses from the life of the Prophet Muhammad are sung in praise of his virtues and teachings.
Instruments and Style
Kerala’s devotional music is not just defined by its lyrics and melodies but also by the instruments that accompany the songs. Traditional instruments like the mridangam, tabla, veena, and flute are often used in bhajans, while chenda, idakka, and elathalam are more specific to temple music.
Christian hymns, on the other hand, often incorporate organ music and choral arrangements, especially during mass services. The Mappilapattu tradition uses a variety of percussion instruments that add rhythm to the lyrical chants.
Spiritual Gatherings and Festivals
Kerala’s devotional music truly shines during its many religious festivals. Navaratri, a major Hindu festival, is filled with nine nights of bhajans and devotional concerts dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. The Sabarimala pilgrimage sees thousands of devotees singing Ayyappa bhajans throughout their journey to the hill shrine. Christian festivals like Christmas and Easter are marked by hymns that celebrate the birth and resurrection of Christ, with many churches hosting choirs and special musical services.
The Eid-ul-Fitr festival in the Muslim community often includes gatherings where Mappilapattu songs are sung, celebrating both faith and community.