On a warm Tuesday afternoon in Wadgaon Shinde, near Pune, we had the privilege of meeting Madhuri Jadhav and her group, Janai Mahila Bhajani Mandal, a collective of middle-aged women who sing devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vitthala. Accompanied by four women – Jayshree Shinde, Lata Kunhade, Kaushalya Talekar, Rajni Jagdale – and Pandurang Kale on the dholak, the group brought with them an infectious energy, laughter, and a profound sense of spirituality.
Madhuri’s group, Janai Mahila Bhajani Mandal, is rooted in Maharashtra’s rich tradition of Abhangs, devotional songs in praise of Lord Vitthala. Abhangs are considered a form of Ovi, a unique and rare style of music traditionally sung by women while performing daily chores like grinding grain. These songs beautifully blend spirituality with the rhythm of life, creating a bridge between the mundane and the divine.
When we first met the group, they were dressed in vibrant turquoise sarees with contrasting pink borders, exuding a traditional aesthetic that matched their devotional repertoire. They all were energetic and agreed to walk a few metres for the ideal location near the river.
Their camaraderie and humor lit up the setting as they cracked jokes and shared anecdotes while we set up near the serene Indrayani river. Despite their modest demeanor, the group’s presence was commanding, their voices powerful, and their devotion palpable.
Madhuri’s journey into music began just ten years ago when she started learning under Sudamji Khandve, her Guru, who specializes in Abhangs. She reminisces with a smile about the first time she pressed the harmonium keys, how the vibrations resonated through her being, making her feel as though the music was awakening something deep within. “When I played the ‘sa’ for the first time, it felt like my body was trembling. At night, I could see the harmonium keys in my dreams.”
Her practice was intense, and her connection to music became spiritual. During this time, Madhuri had vivid dreams of Lord Vitthala, a testament to the deeply meditative power of her music. She describes these dreams as moments of divine communion, reinforcing her belief that music is a pathway to God.
Her husband, a staunch supporter of her passion, never hindered her pursuit of music. “When Guruji would come home to teach, my husband would ensure I had the time and space to learn. He always encouraged me,” she recalls.
The songs sung by Madhuri and her group, such as “Sundar Majhe Jate Ge Phire Bahutek”, reflect the seamless merging of life’s rhythm with devotion. It is a jatyavarchi ovi or grindmill song. Couplet one encapsulates the essence of the song, blending the daily chores (symbolized by the grinding mill) with devotion, as the singer invites Lord Vithala into their life with joy and reverence.
The grinding mill in the song becomes a metaphor for life’s repetitive nature, yet through it, the singers find divinity in the ordinary. The couplet “Let me sing Ovi in joy, come, O Vithala!” encapsulates the essence of Abhangs – a joyous surrender to God amidst the flow of life.
Performing these songs has taken Madhuri and her group across Maharashtra, including revered places like Alandi, Pandharpur, and the Datta Mandir in Kanyakumari. One of her most poignant performances was during Navratri when, upon hearing of her mother-in-law’s passing, she sang the devotional song “Abir Gulal Udhalit Rang” with tears streaming down her face. Her grief turned into devotion, and the audience’s applause reminded her of the solace found in surrendering to Lord Vitthala.
Beyond devotion, Madhuri sees music as a tool for empowerment. She has formed a women’s group and conducts summer camps to teach traditional music to children. “If we don’t pass these songs to the younger generation, they will be lost forever,” she says, with a deep sense of responsibility.
For Madhuri, music is more than an art form; it is a refuge. “Music is like sitting in a mother’s lap, or being with God. It keeps the mind steady and fills the heart with joy,” she explains. She also uses her kirtans to address social issues, helping people understand the importance of wise financial decisions and staying away from destructive paths.
At the heart of their music is the devotion to Lord Vitthala, a beloved deity in Maharashtra. Vitthala is not just a god but a symbol of simplicity, love, and the divine presence in the everyday. For Madhuri and her group, singing his praises is both a spiritual practice and an expression of gratitude.
Through Madhuri Jadhav and her Janai Mahila Bhajani Mandal, the timeless traditions of Abhangs and Ovis find a new voice, inspiring all who hear them to find divinity in the rhythm of life.
