Knowra Hindu spiritual music Hindu spiritual music Hindu spiritual music expresses devotion to Hindu deities or supports spiritual practice through singing, instrumental performance, and sacred recitation. Its forms include bhajan, kirtan, and mantra chanting.
Bhajan : A Hindu devotional song, commonly sung in praise of a deity or in longing for divine presence. Bhajans are a widespread song form within Hindu devotional music.
Puja : A Hindu act of worship involving offerings and devotional attention to a deity or sacred presence. Songs and chants accompany worship in temples and homes.
Bhakti movement : A broad set of Hindu devotional movements that emphasized personal devotion to a chosen deity. Bhakti movements fostered vernacular poetry and song across regions.
Qawwali : A form of Sufi devotional music, especially associated with South Asia, performed by an ensemble of singers and musicians. Its Islamic devotional setting contrasts with Hindu forms while sharing South Asian musical contexts.
Kirtan : A devotional practice of singing divine names or stories, often through a lead singer and group response. Its call-and-response format turns devotion into collective musical practice.
Satsang : A gathering centered on spiritual company, teaching, or devotion in Hindu traditions. Group singing often forms part of satsang gatherings.
Alvars : Tamil poet-saints who composed devotional hymns to Vishnu between roughly the sixth and ninth centuries. Their hymns became foundational to South Indian Vaishnava worship and music.
Gospel music : Christian music expressing faith, often through congregational or choir singing. It offers a Christian devotional counterpart with different texts and theological traditions.
Mantra : A sacred utterance, syllable, word, or phrase used in Hindu ritual and spiritual practice. Mantra recitation can become melodic or rhythmic spiritual performance.
Hindu temple music : Music performed in or for Hindu temples, including ritual singing and instrumental traditions. Temple settings shape when and how devotional music is performed.
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