Jaya Kishori's Divine Concert Mumbai: Bhajans meet live concert energy
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Spiritual orator Jaya Kishori staged her first-ever 'Divine Concert' in Mumbai on 29 June, blending devotional bhajans with the scale and energy of a live concert experience, backed by Saregama Live and Epitome Live. The evening featured live musicians and drew a notable cross-section of artists and industry figures, marking a significant step in reimagining traditional devotional music for contemporary audiences.
The Vision Behind Divine Concert
Kishori conceived the event as a deliberate attempt to bridge the gap between India's classical devotional traditions and the sensibilities of younger generations. Rather than altering the spiritual core of bhajans, the format sought to amplify their emotional reach through concert-scale production and live instrumentation.
In her own words, Kishori said, 'I wanted to create a space where families could come together, leave behind the stress of everyday life, and connect through music. One of my biggest hopes was to encourage younger audiences to experience spirituality in a way they could relate to. By presenting bhajans with the scale and energy of a live concert, I wanted to show that our traditions, music, and roots can be just as uplifting, joyful, and inspiring in a modern setting.'
Who Attended the Soulful Evening
The concert drew a prominent gathering from the music and entertainment world. Among those present were Meet Bros, Salim Merchant, lyricist Manoj Muntashir, actors Abhay Verma and Mihir Ahuja, and composer-singer duo Sachet-Parampara, alongside several others. The attendance of such diverse creative voices underscored the broad appeal the format aspired to reach.
What Saregama Said
Siddharth Anand Kumar, Executive Vice President – Films, Series & Events at Saregama, spoke to the broader philosophy driving the initiative. 'Live entertainment is constantly evolving, but at its heart it has always been about bringing people together. We believe experiences rooted in our culture can be presented in ways that feel contemporary without losing their authenticity. 'Divine Concert' is an extension of that belief — a format that celebrates devotional music while creating a shared live experience that resonates across generations,' he said.
The Audience Response
Notably, long after the final bhajan concluded, a significant portion of the audience remained at the venue, absorbed in the atmosphere the evening had created. The lingering crowd suggested that the concert achieved at least part of its stated aim — turning a devotional performance into a shared, reflective community experience.
Whether Divine Concert evolves into a touring format or inspires similar productions remains to be seen, but its Mumbai debut has established a new template for devotional live entertainment in India.