This godman-storyteller eulogises ‘unsung’ political figures, next on list is Vajpayee
Politics

This godman-storyteller eulogises ‘unsung’ political figures, next on list is Vajpayee

Ajay Bhai Ji did a recital on BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya last year, and his new Atal Gatha is expected to be attended by union ministers

   
Ajay Bhai Ji

Ajay Bhai Ji | Facebook

Ajay Bhai Ji did a recital on BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya last year, and his new Atal Gatha is expected to be attended by union ministers.

New Delhi: On 5 October, godman-storyteller Ajay Bhai Ji will recite a composition called Atal Gatha at the Ambedkar International Centre in the national capital.

Top BJP leaders, including central ministers such as Piyush Goyal, J.P. Nadda, Vijay Goel and Harsh Vardhan, as well as party national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe are expected to attend the two-hour musical recital on the milestones and incidents that shaped late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s life.


Also Read: Modi govt plans to take Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s life to schoolkids across India 


Usually, godmen stick to recitations from holy books like the Bhagavad Gita, epics such as the Ramayan or the Mahabharat, or about mythological and historical personalities. But Ajay Bhai seems to have mastered the art of eulogising political personalities — especially those ‘unsung’ because of their nationalist ideology, such as Vajpayee or Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.

Who is Ajay Bhai Ji?

Born Ajay Rakhwal, he was brought up in Delhi in a family with strong ties to the Army. As a result, he says he always had very strong feelings of nationalism. His father worked in the ministry of defence.

Having completed his graduation in arts from Delhi University, Ajay Bhai enrolled in a diploma course for in marketing, sales and management, but left it halfway to pursue his love for public speaking.

He founded an organisation called Triveni Sewa Mission, of which he still is patron. The motto of the mission is vasudhaeva kutumbakam (the earth is family), and it says it promotes Indian culture, spirituality, service, goodwill towards all, and national awakening. It also believes in sarve bhavantu sukhinah (may all be happy). The mission organises satsang and bhajan programmes to promote all its values.

Body of work

In 2017, when the BJP was celebrating the birth centenary of its ideologue Upadhyaya, Ajay Bhai was invited to tell stories of his life at an event attended by Delhi BJP leaders. The recital, called Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gatha, mixed his life with bhajans and drew parallels to the Ramayan.


Also Read: How Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birthday became a nationally significant date 


Laxman ji ko jab shakti lagi thi to Ram bilakh pade the… ki sab kuch wapas mil sakta hai, bhai nahi (When Laxman was wounded, Ram cried… that you can get everything back, but not your brother),” said Ajay Bhai. He then drew a parallel to the death of Upadhyaya’s younger brother, Shiv Dayal. “He had to go on for larger role planned for him by god,” he said.

Nationalism, a favourite topic of the BJP, is a recurring theme in his body of work. Ajay Bhai has compiled the stories of bravery and sacrifice of many “unsung heroes” such as Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh into Ath Shri Rashtra Katha. A recital of this was attended by union ministers Shripad Naik and Harsh Vardhan.

“I have recited this katha on the borders as well, like Nathu La etc. We tell stories of unsung heroes like Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh through the katha,” Ajay Bhai told ThePrint.

He also took out a yatra to commemorate ‘Veer’ V.D. Savarkar, the proponent of the ideology of Hindutva, reaching the Andaman Islands where Savarkar had been imprisoned in the infamous Cellular Jail.

Recently, Ajay Bhai has composed a katha on the sage Dadhichi, which revolves around the importance of donating organs. The project was sponsored by the Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti, headed by Alok Kumar, international working president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad.

He has also recited a katha on Sant Ravidas — organised for the Dalit community by a BJP leader — apart from a recital called ‘Kahani Roti Ki’ for an NGO, which implored people not to waste food and donate to the poor.

Asked why he didn’t stick to traditional subjects like the Ramayan and religious texts, Ajay Bhai said the nation and its people take precedence above all.

“If you see the people attending the kathas, there are almost no youngsters; youth seem to have no interest in such activities. To woo the youth into learn our history and about those who have sacrificed so much for our hard-earned independence, we need to make things interesting. This is why I switched from religious recitals to the nation,” he said.

Atal Gatha

The upcoming Atal Gatha recital is being organised by a group called the Global Young Action Network (GYAN) Foundation, which brought together people from various fields to contribute to the BJP’s campaign in 2014. The organisers claim that a hologram of Vajpayee will be showcased at the event.

Ajay Bhai said a lot of research goes into his projects, and Atal Gatha is no different.

“All authenticated documents are accessed, and if possible, the families of the subjects are also involved. Then, we select the relevant and important points, which are then integrated with songs and shaped into a story,” he said.

Political significance?

It is undeniable that Ajay Bhai enjoys considerable patronage from the BJP and the larger Sangh Parivar, given their common emphasis on nationalism and the same set of ideologues and leaders.

However, it is also interesting to note that during Gujarat assembly polls last year, many godmen praised PM Narendra Modi and the BJP during their sermons, which were then promoted the BJP’s social media handles.

Party leaders believe that godmen’s endorsement often translates into their followers’ votes.