This Gandhi Jayanti, sitar maestro Shujaat Khan paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, with a soulful sitar rendition of ‘Vaishnav Jana To’. This musical tribute of Gandhi's favorite bhajan, blends the soothing sounds of sitar with soaring vocals by the maestro himself.

The 3 minute cover reminds one of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of simplicity, his ideologies and experiments with truth. It was performed by the Ustad in the baithak space of the newly opened Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea House in Mumbai, and is slated to be the first of many Taj Tea House sessions, to be hosted here.

Through the years, Taj Mahal Tea has associated itself with some of India’s most celebrated classical musicians ; highlighting the correlation between classical music and the values that sit at the core of the Taj Mahal tea DNA - craftsmanship, authenticity, sophistication and passion.  The Taj Tea House sessions builds on this connection, by offering people a physical space to experience the magic that ensues when a perfect cup of tea meets an exquisite piece of music.

Sharing his thoughts on the rendition, Ustad Shujaat Khan said, “Vanishnava Jana To is so profound in one way, and yet so simple in another. If we are able to assimilate this simple thought in our lives, I believe it would change us and indeed the world as it is at this time. The rendition becomes unique because it is "me". It is how I feel it, how I perceive it and how I present it. I live this thought to the best of my ability and I hope you can hear it in my performance”

Watch this inspirational sitar rendition of Bapu’s favorite bhajan, here:

https://youtu.be/t9L7JBdAobw