Commercialization of Devotional Music - "Sprituality to Money"

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I am writing this in context of Indian devotional song. As I am not much aware about other countries.

As we all know India is a land of festival, we have so many festival to celebrate almost every month. May be because of it many People are quite dedicated to perform various rituals and perform different religious tasks. All these were very much complimented with Bhajans , Chantings, Sholakas and other Devotional songs.

A devotional song is a hymn which accompanies religious observances and rituals. Each major religion has its own tradition with devotional hymns

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Infact if I look deeply every Indian start the day with some of the finest devotional music's and mantra that are quite soulful and peaceful. Some of the music were very popular in abroad(outside Indian sub continent)

Songs with Soft & Soulful music and having god's name chanting is a way to make a blissful start to the day. Infact, many would consider it a way of worshipping and getting near to attain Moksha. In case they dont have time to daily visit to temples. Either you were at home, or making an early drive to office or you were at taking a walk at park listening to these Devotional songs does bring peace to you mind.

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I have grown witnessing all these practices at home and in our surrounding.. These God related Devotional songs and Mantras, Kirtan, Shlokas were very limited upto home and upto a certain public function or temples and few religious places where group of people chants and recite mantras and shlokas within themselves.

Now as we are in this 21 Century, these Devotional music are getting commercialized. Here I dont mean bringing up new jazz style,rock, or pop kind of music. However these songs were strated played publically, in rally or even used in Television Advertisenment and Prime time Soaps.

Those which were limited to the people's heart and mind are now finding a place in a glamorous life style. Expanding its horizon to vast groups of people through Television network.

But what led to such commercialization??

Over the last few days, I was thinking on this, but could not get to any solution.

The more I dive the more it get complicated. I could not see any reason that allow these music to be part of Advertisenment and Daily Opera Soaps.

The only thing that I noticed is that by playing these music on Television program, few group of people trying to reach to larger TV audience. Be it family drama, or any suspence thriller, you will find the songs playing at the back ground. As these were played on TV , people having strong spritual sentiment would definitely love to watch the episode and thereby increasing the viewership.

On the other, having a part product selling Advertisenment, these Devotional music, helps the companies to increase the demand of their product. And thereby a great source of deriving more money.

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Overall, now what used to be a a soul searching way and to attain moksha, many people are now finding ot a way to earn money. Trying to woo the public and in process try to make money. Or it is not wrong to say, They are more happy with Money rather than trying g to be more spritual.

I strongly condemn, the playing of these Devotional music on television, except, in case of god related content or channel. Since the day I noticed it, I stopped watching any of such soap opera, may be way to boycott.

Hope the God may enlighten the path of the money maker and let it to be as traditional and spritual as it could be for the sake and respect of religion and to our God.

NOTE. these all are my personal viewpoint. In case you could find any reason of such commercialization, do help in enlightening my path.

Peace

Namaste @steemflow



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4 comments
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100% upvote prabhuji, there are two schools of thought regarding the use of devotional bhajan. One says that simply hearing the sound of the holy names will uplift and benefit the hearer, so let it be played even on TV shows. But the other understanding is that the chanting or devotional music is affected by the consciousness of the singer, so if they are motivated in their singing or chanting to make money, then that will pollute the result somewhat, and so it is recommended that we avoid hearing the singing of devotional bhajan by materially motivated singers. Professional bhajan singers and mantra recitation for profit is not recommended, so you make some valid points here bhai shaib.

Hare Krishna

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Oh i see, I somewhat very much agree with the first point..listening to the songs does gives a good feeling , however on some places with family melo drama it doesn't suits up...on the contrary...any singer is an artist, so we much respect about their talent whatever way they are doing.....

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Apologies for my late reply, thanks for sharing your insights, you make some valid points.

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