On Janmashtami 2026, celebrated on September 4, some of India’s biggest musical names opened up about the Krishna songs that stay closest to their hearts. From Kailash Kher to Shankar Mahadevan, from rising star Siddhant Bhatia to lyricist Manoj Muntashir, each artist picked tracks that hold deep personal meaning. Kavita Seth also joined in, sharing her favourite Krishna bhajans and her own new release.
Krishna songs and bhajans have always been an important part of Bollywood films and independent music. Over the years, musicians have presented Krishna’s stories and teachings in their own styles, using traditional folk lyrics and poems. This Janmashtami, these artists spoke about the songs that define their connection with Lord Krishna.
Kailash Kher Picks ‘Baje Re Muralia Baje’ and ‘Mere Nishan Hain Kahan’
Kailash Kher said his all-time favourite Krishna bhajan is Baje Re Muralia Baje, originally sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar. When it comes to Bollywood, he chose Mere Nishan Hain Kahan from the film OMG (2012).
“Narayana avtaar bhajans are most in number in bhakti songs and Krishna songs due to his various swaroops and leelas rule and are coming out one after another – new and reinterpretation of old ones. The one very close to me is Hey Gopala which I wrote-composed and sung. I had prepared a song but due to shows could not release on festival but we are coming with a series of Krishna bhajans soon.” – Kailash Kher
Kher confirmed that he is working on a series of Krishna bhajans that will be released soon.
Shankar Mahadevan’s Favourite: ‘Ek Radha Ek Meera’ and ‘Ab Radhe Rani’
Grammy-winning singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan picked Lata Mangeshkar’s Ek Radha Ek Meera Dono Ne Shyam Ko Chaha from the 1985 film Ram Teri Ganga Maili as his favourite Krishna film song. The song was written and composed by Ravindra Jain.
His favourite Krishna bhajan is Ab Radhe Rani, a collaboration between Mahadevan, John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain from their album Is That So. He described it as a traditional folk song where Radha steals Krishna’s flute and he asks her to return it.
“A lot of musicians and singers are bringing Krishna songs and interpreting traditional old and new songs in their own ways. There is so much to explore in his leelas – childhood, love, friendship, playfulness, sacrifice, compassion, life lessons and spirituality. Also, in different parts of India he is worshipped differently. He is a universal God and everyone loves Krishna bhajans across age groups, regions and languages.” – Shankar Mahadevan
Siddhant Bhatia on His Grammy-Nominated ‘Bala Krishna’
Siddhant Bhatia, whose album Sounds of Kumbha was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Global Music Album category, said the Bala Krishna bhajan is the one closest to him.
“Rishi Markandeya’s Bāla Mukunda Stotram, the song pictures baal roop Krishna rocking on a banyan leaf after absorbing the Universe and I feel it’s very divine. I composed the song and sang it with Shruti Dhasmana who has global artists as musicians. Jagjit Singh saheb’s Hare Krishna and Hey Deen Dayal Hare and from film songs I like Woh Kisna Hai by Sukhwindar Singh, the bhaav of the songs are amazing.” – Siddhant Bhatia
Manoj Muntashir on ‘Kanha So Ja Zara’ and ‘Maiya Mori’
National Award-winning lyricist Manoj Muntashir has written Kanha So Ja Zara from Baahubali: The Conclusion, one of the most streamed Krishna songs. He admires poets like Surdas, Raskhan and Meera.
“If I have to choose two songs then Maiya Mori Main Nahin Makhan Khayo by Anup Jalota ji – an adorable exchange between Krishna and Maa Yashoda – and my song Radha Ke Charan – platonic and unconditional love between Radha and Krishna – sung by Vishal Mishra are my favourite. The gist being: Radha aur Krishna ek kaise hote, jab do they hi nahin. In my show Krishna – Radha Se Ranbhumi Tak, I am proud to bring to the stage an untold dimension of Krishna, seen through the eyes of the five most important women in his life.” – Manoj Muntashir
Kavita Seth on ‘Govinda Jaya Jaya’ and Meerabai Songs
Singer Kavita Seth, known for Ikrata from Wake Up Sid, recently released Govinda Jaya Jaya, which she sang with Devshri Manohar and produced with her son Kanishk Seth. The song comes with an animated video designed to connect with today’s generation.
“It has animated video and the story and treatment has been done in such a way that it can be related by today’s generation and everyone. By core it’s a bhajan but to match today’s taste we have made it very trendy with Western voices, chants and chorus. Amazing thing is that alongwith traditional bhajans, musicians and singers are presenting in song format with modern treatment. My personal favourite are the Meerabai songs. I really love the kind of baav and love they have.” – Kavita Seth
Janmashtami 2026 was celebrated on September 4. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is observed with devotion, bhajans and celebrations across India and around the world.
For more updates on Bollywood, music and entertainment, keep following VvipTimes for exclusive stories and artist interviews.
Leave a Reply