My Favourite Bhajan
by Tanusha Sharma 

As the annual Bhajan Yatra is just around the corner, a wave of nostalgia hits me as I remember singing as a child and having a good time during these yatras. The soulful music sung by devotees accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium and the tabla, add exuberance to the atmosphere and definitely makes the night a memorable one. As a child, I would have a list of bhajans in my head that I loved and wanted to sing during Bhajan Yatra. I would mentally check off the songs in the list and also feel a little disappointed (a lot) when other aunties and uncles would sing them before I did. But there was always one bhajan that the adults would not sing, and was always given to the kids to do so. It is called “Hey Nanda Nanda Gopal”. I remember the times when Aunty Asha asked me to lead the bhajan and over the years it became an unspoken rule that the children would sing “Hey Nanda Nanda Gopal” during the Bhajan Yatra. The little devil in me back then would let out an evil laugh knowing that no one else would be able to sing this bhajan during yatras. Thank you Aunty Asha! Soon enough, “Hey Nanda Nanda Gopal” became my favourite bhajan that I’ve kept close to my heart (and also head since it only has 3 lines). This bhajan repeats Bhagawan’s name in an upbeat and melodious tune. Every time I hum it, I relive the moments of my childhood in Geeta Ashram, where I would be singing my heart out with the biggest smile on my face, forgetting everything that’s going on, just being happy and connecting with Bhagawan. Then reality (more like my mother) hits me when I don’t sing well and I’m left wondering whether anyone turned deaf! Thankfully, there was always a Bhajan Yatra the following year to improve!

We would like to welcome each and everyone to our annual Radha Krishna Bhajan Yatra on the 10th June 2017, 5.30pm @ Geeta Ashram Malaysia