As Mahashivratri approaches on February 15, celebrations are gearing up across India with fervor and devotion. This festival of faith has long inspired Bollywood’s musical talents, producing timeless tracks that capture Lord Shiva’s glory. Among them, Kailash Kher’s ‘Agad Bam Shiv Lahari’ stands out, beautifully portraying Shiva’s divine qualities and his bond with Parvati. But here’s a revelation: this chart-topper draws from an earlier, epic bhajan stretching over 12 minutes, sung by a folk maestro from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Meet Bansi Jogi, the unsung hero whose voice carried pure Shiva bhakti in the 1990s. His original ‘Agad Bam Bam Lahari’ predates Kher’s version, hitting the scene around 1995 with slight lyrical tweaks. Bansi didn’t just sing; he founded his own music outfit, Bansi Jogi & Party, channeling local folk instruments to weave magic. The track unfolds like a vivid narrative, detailing Shiva’s initial reluctance to marry Parvati due to his ascetic life, only to yield to her unwavering love.
The song’s depth shines in its storytelling. It recounts their wedding rituals, including a poignant tale of three handfuls of ash given as alms to greedy Brahmins. Symbolizing wealth, wisdom, and peace, the ash turns to gold coins in the river—until greed backfires, leaving only ash in their grasp. This moral fable, rich with symbolism, elevates the bhajan beyond melody into profound philosophy.
Kher’s rendition samples key snippets, making it a modern hit, but Bansi’s full-length masterpiece deserves rediscovery. As devotees gear up for Mahashivratri, revisiting this original could add authentic depth to the festivities, reminding us of folk roots in contemporary devotion.