Suttur, August 6, 2026: “Bhajan serves as a bridge between God and devotees. Through Bhajan, people express their devotion to God with love and experience a unique sense of joy,” said Shri Girish Rao Hatwar (Jogi), Editor of Kannada Prabha daily and writer.
He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the Bhajan Workshop organised by Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivaratreeshwara Dharmika Datti and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Srikshetra.
Shri Girish Rao Hatwar said that practising Bhajan at home helps people overcome mental distress and attain peace and tranquillity. “The language of poetry and the language of divinity are the same. We should cultivate faith in the formless, the intangible and the infinite,” he observed.
Smt. Shailaja Priyadarshini, Administrator, Advocate General’s Office, Karnataka High Court, said it was heartening to see the younger generation taking an interest in and practising Bhajan. She observed that devotion can lead one towards salvation and that Bhajan has the power to make the worship of God accessible even to people living in the remotest places.
Shri Gundappa Gowda, President of the Vidyavardhaka Sangha, recalled the tradition of Bhajan in rural life. He said that in earlier times, people in villages would gather for Bhajan every evening after completing their agricultural activities. Singing and listening to Bhajans were an integral part of community life. He noted that saints and composers such as Kabir Das, Thyagaraja and Mirabai sought to reach and please the divine through Bhajan.
He further observed that Dr. Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamy of Sri Salur Brihanmath, Male Mahadeshwara Hills, has been instilling the values and culture of Indian heritage among children, while Suttur Srimath has been contributing significantly to personality development. By introducing people to ancient Indian arts and traditions, the path of devotion has been made accessible to the common people, he said.
Gracing the occasion with his divine presence and blessings, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji said that Bhajan helps people forget worldly worries, remember the Lord and immerse themselves in the spiritual realm.
“Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Akkamahadevi and Basavanna expressed their innermost spiritual yearning and devotion to the Lord through Bhajans. Everyone should cultivate the habit of performing Bhajan at home every day and experience mental peace,” His Holiness said.
Resource persons Sri Uppunda Rajesh Padiyar and Sri Srinivas Yarlapadi shared their observations about the workshop. Camp participants Sri D.T. Gopinath, Smt. G. Suprabha and Ch. Triguna shared their experiences and impressions of the camp.
As part of the valedictory programme, trained artistes presented Bhajans, Mandala Bhajans and Bhajanotsava, adding a devotional dimension to the concluding ceremony.
Sri Panchakshariswamy rendered the invocation. Dr. D.M. Mahendramurthy welcomed the gathering. Sri A.M. Shivakumaraswamy presented the workshop report, while Sri R.S. Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. Prof. D.S. Sadashivamurthy compered the programme.
