Bhubaneswar: The melodies of devotion have a timeless way of connecting the human soul to the divine, and this is beautifully felt in the soulful rendition of the Ratha Jatra bhajan “Nandighoshe Jaye Kiere” by Shri Satyabrata Sahu.
Released under the Geetanjali label, the beautiful melody for this bhajan was tuned and composed by the noted Music Director Malaya Mishra, and his offering bridges the deep emotions of the heart with the ancient cultural roots of Odisha.
The legendary Odia lyricist Shri Arun Mantri penned the deeply emotional lyrics for this soulful bhajan. His words beautifully capture the spiritual essence of the Ratha Yatra, giving poetic voice to the deep yearning and devotion that every devotee feels for Lord Jagannatha as He rides aboard the Nandighosha chariot.
The phrase “Nandighoshe Jaye Kiere” translates to “Who is traveling on the Nandighosha chariot?” It is a deeply moving question that captures the very soul of the Ratha Yatra festival. The answer, which resonates in the heart of every devotee, is Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe, moving out of His temple to meet His children on the Bada Danda.
Every note seems drenched in pure love for Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha, echoing the spiritual yearning that defines the annual festival of the chariots. As an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannatha, his deep spiritual connection radiates through his performance, making it a profound artistic expression of personal faith rather than just a musical production.
What makes this artistic journey truly inspiring is the dedication behind it. Juggling the intense responsibilities of a demanding professional life, he explicitly carves out valuable time from his busy schedule on holidays to record these devotional tracks. His passion has led him to sing dozens of soulful bhajans over the years, contributing a rich body of work to regional devotional music. This steadfast commitment transforms his music into a personal seva, or selfless offering, to the supreme deity.
The bhajan centers around the grand journey of Lord Jagannatha aboard His iconic chariot, Nandighosha. In Odia culture, Ratha Yatra is not merely a ritual; it is a profound emotional reunion where the Lord of the Universe breaks all boundaries of the sanctum sanctorum to meet His devotees on the grand avenue, Bada Danda.
Shri Satyabrata Sahu, an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannatha captures this spiritual ecstasy through his expressive voice, bringing alive the image of the majestic chariot rolling forward, surrounded by the resounding beats of cymbals, drums, and the collective, tearful chants of Hari Bol.
Culturally, the song touches upon the deeply rooted belief in salvation through a single glimpse of the Lord Jagannatha on His chariot, a moment thought to break the cycle of rebirth. It invokes the historical and emotional essence of devotion by referencing the legendary poet Salabega, whose intense prayer famously stopped the chariot in its tracks.
Through this lyrical journey, the track evokes a vivid sense of surrender and joy, reminding listeners that on the path of true devotion, the distance between the human soul and the supreme consciousness beautifully dissolves into waves of unconditional love.