Vasudev - The original wanderers of Maharashtra

'Vasudev' is a community of Krishna worshippers found mainly in Maharashtra. They wander through villages and towns to do uddhar (help families regain favors of the dead), singing bhakti songs, and surviving on alms given by the people. Some of the people from the community also do farming or rearing of animals as alms are often not sufficient to survive on, especially now.

A Vasudev in singing in Pune

Another Vasudev I met on Diwali

I met two Vasudevs during Diwali and was immediately intrigued by them and their songs. I interviewed one of them at length and loved how he candidly told me about himself. I felt a little embarrassed about how little I knew about them and decided to find more about them.

Deeksha of a Vasudev

The initiation of a Vasudev takes place through a Deeksha ceremony, very smiler to the initiation ceremony of a Brahmin boy. There is an event which is conducted for this and the priest tells a secret mantra in the ears of the boy and he then becomes a part of the community, becomes a Vasudev. Often the vasudevs wander across villages alone, but at times they are together as group also and they also have special dances they perform together.

Vasudevs spend their mornings walking around and singing bhakti songs

Story of Vasudev origins

There are several stories on their origin and many of these are mythical in nature. The earliest recorded evidence of their existence comes from the religious texts from the ninth century. Tukaram, one of the most famous Saint from Maharashtra, also composed songs about the community.

A busy Vausdev

Singing Krishna songs

Attire of a Vasudev

I met and spoke to a couple of Vasudev for the article and they were both dressed in very similar ways. They both wore similar heavily adorned clothes - white dhoti-kutra, colorful bags, peacock-feather adorned cap and in general there was a lot of shimmer. They also sang almost constantly and walked around, never asking for money themselves. When someone offered them money they just opened their bags and ask you to drop the money directly in it without taking a break from their singing.

The complete attire of a Vasudev - they make it themselves

The headgear is the most interesting part

They make music with these in hands

There are some unique practices that the community practices, for instance burying of the dead, unlike burning. It's also a very patriarchal community where only the men work on the streets and the women work at home, and often do prayers and fasts for the Devi.

If you are intrigued by them, do read this excellent article by Ashok Ohol. There is so much I learnt from his research work. Also read another short write up about the community on my friend Anuradha's blog here.

Finally, read more about Bajrang Vasudev and his dream below.

Bajrang Vasudev

What is your dream Bajrang Vasudev?

"My dream is to wander across and spread the message of Krishna to people. I want to give pleasure to people with my songs."

Bajrang Vasudev lives in a town called Alandi and comes to Pune only once in a month. On other days he travels to other towns like Balewadi, Hadapaar etc, to sing Krishna songs and make his living. 'Vasudev' is a community of Krishna worshippers found mainly in Maharashtra.

This has been the profession in the community for generations, but Bajrang is convinced that his son won't do this. He studied only till grade five in the village, but he gave good education to his son and currently he is working in the service industry.