PM Modi joins ‘bhajan clubbing’, claps to devotional beats on Deendayal Upadhyaya anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday evening attended a “bhajan clubbing” programme at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Park in the Capital to commemorate the 110th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Videos from the programme showed Modi seated in the front row, clapping along with devotional songs and playing a tambourine as musicians performed on a brightly lit stage.

The programme brought a contemporary format to devotional music, combining traditional bhajans with live instrumentation and a concert-like setting. Modi, dressed in an orange waistcoat over a white kurta-pyjama, was seen acknowledging the gathering and following the performances from the front row.

Devotion meets contemporary music

“Bhajan clubbing” has emerged as a format that presents devotional music with elements more commonly associated with live music events, including bands, amplified sound and energetic audience participation. Unlike conventional clubbing, the emphasis remains on devotional songs and collective singing rather than popular dance music.

Friday’s programme featured musicians dressed prominently in saffron shades as they performed devotional numbers. Modi was seen keeping rhythm with the music, at times clapping and playing a tambourine, while the audience joined the performance.

The event was held on Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary, which is observed on September 25. The Jana Sangh leader, born in 1916, was among the principal ideological figures associated with the political movement that preceded the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi invokes Antyodaya

Earlier Friday, Modi paid tribute to Upadhyaya and highlighted his philosophy of “Antyodaya”, centred on ensuring that development reaches people at the lowest rung of society. He said Upadhyaya regarded the uplift of the person standing last in the social order as fundamental to nation-building.

Modi said the philosophy continued to offer inspiration for public welfare and development. The Prime Minister has frequently invoked Antyodaya while speaking about welfare programmes and the government’s approach to reaching intended beneficiaries.

The evening programme came after a series of events commemorating Upadhyaya’s anniversary. Modi had also interacted with participants of the Seva Yatra this week, stressing that public service should be demonstrated through conduct rather than merely through speeches.

A different kind of gathering

The “bhajan clubbing” format has increasingly appeared at cultural and devotional events in Delhi, particularly those aimed at younger audiences. Organisers typically combine familiar bhajans with contemporary arrangements, live bands, lighting and collective singing, seeking to create a more participatory atmosphere while retaining the devotional character of the music.

Modi’s appearance Friday brought the format into the national spotlight, with videos of the Prime Minister joining the rhythm circulating widely on social media. The event remained centred on the commemoration of Upadhyaya, with the music providing a contemporary setting for the anniversary programme.