This Ganesh Chaturthi, create your own musical tribute to Lord Ganesha—even if you’re just starting out! At Furtados School of Music (FSM), we believe devotion and creativity go hand in hand. With just a few simple instruments, you can sing, play, and feel your way into a heartfelt aarti performance.
Here’s your complete guide to choosing your tools, building your bhajan, and performing it with joy.
Step 1: Choose Your Bhajan Essentials
Before you sing a note, choose the right instruments to match your comfort and creativity. Here are 4 beginner-friendly instruments to start with:
1. Harmonium
- Why: Great for melody and pitch reference.
- Beginner tip: Use pre-marked keys or stick labels on notes for easier memory.
2. Tabla or Dholak
- Why: Adds rhythm and structure.
- Beginner tip: Start with simple 8-beat cycles like Keherwa taal.
3. Manjira (Hand Cymbals)
- Why: Easy to play and gives festive sparkle.
- Beginner tip: Play on the first and fifth beats for structure.
4. Shruti Box or Tanpura App
- Why: Provides a stable drone (base pitch).
- Beginner tip: Use a free shruti/tanpura app set to Sa (e.g., C or D) based on your vocal range.
Once you’ve selected your set, it’s time to bring your Ganesh Chaturthi bhajan to life.
Bhajan 1: Ganpati Tu Sabka Saathi
(Simple, heartfelt, original composition-style bhajan)
Step-by-Step Bhajan Crafting
Lyrics (sample lines):
Ganpati tu sabka saathi,
Dukh mitaaye, sukh ka raakhi…
Step 1: Set the Drone
- Open shruti box app or use tanpura.
- Choose your pitch (e.g., Sa = D for male voices, C for female voices).
Step 2: Harmonium Melody
- Start with 5 simple notes: Sa–Re–Ga–Pa–Ma
- Use these notes to shape your melody line by line.
- Try singing the same line over different combinations to find your tune.
Step 3: Add a Beat with Tabla/Dholak
- Start slow: Keherwa taal = 8 beats
Dha Ge Na Ti | Na Ka Dhi Na - Practice looping it with a metronome or a tabla app.
Step 4: Add Cymbals (Manjira)
- Tap on the 1st and 5th beat.
- Clap pattern: Clap – – – | Clap – – –
Step 5: Build Your Structure
- Verse → Chorus → Verse
- Repeat chorus to create participation.
- Add short instrument-only breaks in between for transition.
Step 6: Practice & Record
- Record yourself and hear where you’re off pitch or rhythm.
- Add expression and emotion—not just accuracy.
Bhajan 2: Sukhkarta Dukhaharta
(Traditional Marathi Ganesh Aarti – Highly Loved)
Step-by-Step Bhajan Crafting
Chorus lines:
Sukhkarta dukhaharta, varta vighnaanchi,
Nurvi purvi prem krupa jayachi…
Step 1: Set the Base Tone
- Drone using shruti box app.
- Start in C major for simplicity.
Step 2: Harmonium Practice
- Use notes: Sa–Ma–Pa–Dha–Ni
- Identify chorus melody and repeat.
- Sing while holding the same keys—slow and steady.
Step 3: Add Percussion
- Taal: Dadra or Keherwa works great.
Dha Ti Na | Na Ka Dhi Na
Step 4: Add Manjira
- Same cymbal rhythm, but you can tap faster in chorus for intensity.
Step 5: Build Your Performance
- Chorus → Verse 1 → Chorus → Verse 2
- Add a slowed down end with just vocals and tanpura—very emotional finish.
Bonus: FSM’s Festival Tip
If you’re unsure of rhythm or pitch, FSM offers one-on-one beginner sessions in bhajan singing and harmonium basics—online and offline. You don’t need to know how to read music to get started.
Conclusion: Your Music, Your Modak
Music, like the modak, is an offering of sweetness and devotion. And like Lord Ganesha—who loves rhythm, celebration, and song—your bhajan doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be real.
With this simple guide and support from Furtados School of Music, you can turn your home into a temple of melody this Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Let your voice lead the prayer.