“No singer can say that I have learnt everything in music. “The more you sing, the more you learn and your singing talent grows.
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“They attend our mandali programs and that’s when I guide them how to sing tabura bhajan.”Ĭharan said to improve one’s talent, one had to continue singing. “There are close to 20 children, from kindergarten level to Year 12. “I have a Ramayan mandali, Shri Ram Navyuwak Ramayan Mandali in Koronivia which has 20 members. “It is sad to note that the significance and the purpose of singing bhajans or reciting bhajan are not taken seriously.”Ĭharan is happy that Ramayan mandali’s in various communities are promoting young talents. “Bhajan are sung to connect people with god but some singers are now doing it for entertainment. “It is sung anyhow with no proper guidance.”Ĭharan said his concern was that some sing bhajan these days were just for entertainment. “Now bhajans are sung on a fast pace and more musical instruments are used. “When tabura bhajan were sung before, the rhythm from tabura was matched with dholak and harmonium and it was sung in such a way that every word was understood by the listener. “There is a big difference in the way bhajan are sung now and the way it was sung before. “There are some other new talents as well who sings well.”Ĭharan said tabura bhajan was fading away and needed revival and promotion. “There are some new bhajan singers as well such as Sanjeev from Vatukoula, Jainen, Umesh Sharma from Sigatoka, they sing well. “They have set a path for the bhajan singers, a path which was first set by our ancestors. “Old talents or singers whom I look up to are the late Shiri Chand Dhunki from Valley Rd, Vijay Chand, Shiu Sharan Sardaar formerly from Nasole (now residing in Surrey Canada), Shiu Nath from Lautoka and Ashok Kumar from Tavua. “I have performed not only in Fiji but in New Zealand, Australia and America as well.”Ĭharan said he had kept the old singing style of his ancestors alive. “Apart from that I have taken part in many stage shows and programs. “There are two other albums of mine with bhajan singer Santa Prasad. “I was liked by many that’s why I continued singing bhajan.”Ĭharan has released four albums of his tabura bhajan with Procera Music.
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Charan said he did not switch to any other music as his interest in bhajan grew. under his guidance my journey in bhajan began to proper. “When he saw that I had interest in bhajan, he inspired me and showed me the path. “My guru ji, Daya Nand Kanahi was a member of it. “So like other communities, we also had a bhajan mandali in our area. “During those days, there were bhajan mandali’s run in the communities as well. “My kaka-dada (uncles) and cousins were part of ramayan and bhajan mandali’s in our village, which I used to take part in as well. “In 1977, at the age of 19, I got married and just before that I switched from qawali to bhajan.”Ĭharan said his whole family were musical in nature. “That time qawali was popular and liked by many, so inspired by some popular qawali singers that time, I began singing.
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“I actually started singing at the age of 16. “I am specialised in tabura bhajan and I mostly sing tabura bhajan,” said Charan. He recalled his musical journey and dedicated his singing talents to his guru, Daya Nand Kanahi. He has released four albums with Procera Music and has taken part in many stage shows in Fiji and abroad. The retired civil servant and photographer began singing bhajan when he was 19 years old. Kali Charan of Navasa, Koronivia, Nausori has gained popularity not only in Fiji but abroad as well.īhajan lovers refer to the 64-year-old as the “Delta Tiger”. Singing the bhajan involves singing from the depth of your heart, as itsw aim is for singers to completely immerse themselves in song and become one in their longing for the divine.Īnd when one thinks of a devotee who has the gift of connecting listeners to the Gods through this devotional songs, one name comes to mind.