India’s Bhajan Jamming initiative strikes a chord with Fiji’s youth and diaspora

About 400 people gathered at the University of the South Pacific for the inaugural Bhajan Jamming 2026, a new initiative by the High Commission of India in Suva aimed at connecting younger generations with India’s rich devotional and cultural traditions.

Organised by the High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (ICCR Suva), the event brought together devotional singers, musicians, students, members of the Indian diaspora and the wider Fijian community in an evening celebrating India’s spiritual heritage through music.

The initiative was inspired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Bhajan Clubbing”, which encourages innovative and contemporary ways of engaging young people with India’s centuries-old devotional traditions.

Welcoming participants, Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta highlighted the enduring role of devotional music in promoting shared cultural values and strengthening people-to-people ties.

He said bhajans remained a powerful medium for promoting peace, harmony and cultural understanding while reaffirming the High Commission’s commitment to advancing the Hindi language and Indian culture across Fiji and the Pacific.

The programme featured performances by several local devotional groups, including Bandish Group, Sukoon Group, Hanuman Chalisa Pariwar, His Masters Orchestra, Sound Groove, and the University of the South Pacific Indian Students Association Group.

Blending traditional devotional music with contemporary styles, the performances received enthusiastic applause throughout the evening.

Students and young performers from the University of the South Pacific added a distinctive element to the programme, reflecting growing interest among Fiji’s younger generation in Indian culture, music and traditions.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to participating bhajan groups, singers and musicians in recognition of their contribution to the inaugural event.

Among those attending were Fiji Hindu Society president Sumanta Rout, India–Fiji Friendship Forum president Sanjay Ambasht, Supreme Fuel managing director Rajesh Patel, and representatives of Indian public sector organisations in Fiji.

The vote of thanks was delivered by High Commission Second Secretary (Hindi and Culture) and Acting Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Ishwar Singh Yadav, who acknowledged the contributions of performers, volunteers, the University of the South Pacific and community members in making the event a success.

The High Commission said Bhajan Jamming 2026 highlighted the enduring cultural bonds between India and Fiji while providing a platform for devotional music to inspire new generations and deepen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.