PM Modi Flags ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ As A New Gen Z Cultural Pulse Point

In a moment that underlined the changing contours of India’s youth culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn national attention to the rise of “bhajan clubbing”, a Gen Z–led phenomenon that blends devotional music with contemporary club-style formats. Speaking on the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister described the trend as a reflection of how India’s youngest generation is reimagining spirituality without discarding tradition.

“India’s youth is not turning away from faith; they are finding new, creative ways to connect with it,” the Prime Minister noted, pointing to late-night bhajan sessions set to electronic beats, ambient lighting and communal singing that feel closer to music gigs than conventional prayer meets.

Across metros and university towns, bhajan clubbing has quietly evolved from a niche experiment into a social movement. Organised in cafes, cultural spaces, open courtyards and even club venues, these gatherings repackage devotional music through modern soundscapes, from lo-fi and EDM-inspired arrangements to acoustic jam sessions designed for young audiences raised on playlists and festivals.

Cultural observers say the trend signals a deeper shift. Rather than viewing faith and modernity as opposites, Gen Z appears comfortable collapsing the divide. “For many young Indians, spirituality today is experiential, social and immersive,” says a Mumbai-based cultural researcher. “Bhajan clubbing offers a sense of community without formality, and devotion without rigidity.”

The Prime Minister’s acknowledgement is also significant in the context of India’s booming live and experiential economy. Music collectives, independent artists and spiritual influencers have been quick to spot the opportunity, with curated bhajan nights drawing packed crowds and strong digital traction on Instagram and YouTube. Short clips from these events, crowds singing in unison, phones held high like at a concert, have helped the format travel rapidly across cities.

Importantly, Modi framed the movement not as a passing trend but as evidence of cultural continuity. “Our traditions are strong enough to adapt,” he said, suggesting that innovation rooted in heritage is what keeps culture alive across generations.

As debates around youth, faith and identity continue to dominate public discourse, bhajan clubbing sits at an unusual intersection,one where devotion meets dance floors, and ancient hymns find new resonance through modern rhythms. With the Prime Minister now spotlighting it on a national platform, what began as a grassroots cultural experiment may well enter the mainstream conversation on how India’s next generation chooses to express belief, belonging and joy.