Of course, all the satsangs I do for Art of Living projects and centers all over the world are done as seva, which means I do not charge a penny for them. This has helped my colleagues fundraise for several projects and rural schools, and I am proud that my singing has been able to provide not just spiritual solace but also material comfort to underprivileged communities in every part of the world. My professional, paid programs are coordinated by my manager and dear friend Ajay Kadam, whereas my seva activities are set up by the various Art of Living apex bodies and teacher coordinators.
The other benefit for me has been that when I do a few such professional, paid programs, it leaves me with at least twenty days a month to do seva — teaching, travelling, coordinating rural development activities — without which life seems incomplete. What better blessings than to make a living doing what I love most, and spending a fair bit of quality time pursuing issues that I am passionate about! Such is the grace of the Master!
Your singing is just too awesomeee bhaiyya, and takes us to another space altogeather.. just love it.. Jaigurudev 🙂
Very good decision and move bhaiya!
Yes, you should accept those invitation. This has been my experience too, many a times bhajans or devotional songs are going on, and there is not much divine environment.
When you are gifted with the divine, this becomes also your duty. The presence of sacredness is so evident and dense when you sing. A different world is created for all those who are present. One may call it professional, but i say this is also seva. There is no price for what is created, it is priceless.
Those might be called professional, who constantly sings names of god and sing bhajans in praise of divine. But no bhava is felt. Many of them are much popular and charge a lot. There are few who charge, and deliver much more than charged in terms of money.
your talent is worthy of respect; but still not a patch on you being most sincere and nice. and there arent many “nice” around. and that gives your songs so much more soul.
Cool Nice!
But then, who publicizes the professional-paid concerts ?
Are those also done by AOL teachers?
I mean, though I personally wouldnt mind either ways most times, it would be nice if there is some code that, AOL teachers, when they publicize a professional paid concert of yours, specify that the concert is a commercial one.. Kindly pardon my ignorance if this is already in practice..
@Vibhu: Thankujiiii
@Prashant: The paid ones are usually private eg weddings or other functions and hence hv nothing to do with the AOL setup. So its basically the organisers who invite their own guests; sometime they also happen to be AOL devotees and open up the function to other devotees as well.
If you mean ticketed concerts/fundraisers that I do for AOL, well those are obviously publicized by the chapters; and from my side I dont charge AOL for them.
But I prefer to do simple satsangs that are open to all, it’s a wonderful way for people to be introduced to AOL, i feel. Hope this answers yr query
Yeah completely!
What I said was invalid..
@Prashant: Not at all, thanks for asking really. My professional gigs are what I make a living from, and my AOL gigs are my seva — the bliss is that I do 1-2 paid gigs and about 10-15 satsangs every couple of months, its a true privilege 🙂 See u at one of the programs soon I hope! JGD
Thanks for the clarification. I have always admired your clarity of thought.
@Swami: It was prompted by a systematic smear campaign by some misguided souls, who spread the word that I charge AOL for my satsangs; in fact, I dont even do Sumeru Sandhyas, so apart from paying my musicians there is no expense for the chapter at all! Even better, when I go for a private gig, i visit the nearby chapters n do a couple of satsangs, which even saves them the travel expenses! I didnt speak out so far because I didnt want to point a finger at anyone, but I guess if all you wonderful people out there spread the good word around then we can remedy such immaturity on the part of a few!! Guess sometimes even our seva needs to be publicised!!!
Keep up the good work Vikram… of course you’ll always find people around who’ll criticise you, your work and your beliefs. Your test is in carrying on as you do, being true to yourself and enjoying your work which is reflected in your personality.
Touché …. dearest Vikram.. Touché… Anand
It is amazing how you live your life so skillfully; truly live the knowledge as part of your regular life,do what is required at that moment with dignity, use your skills and really contribute…I am learning…
@Avu, PR, AM: Thank u thank u thank u
thanks a ton vikram bhaiya yeah infact i heard a lot of this and rubbished it saying that i have attended mnay aol satsangs (having been part of aol myself since i was 17 yrs old) of both you and chitra royji and i for sure know that neither of you would charge aol … some ppl out there are quite jealous of another’s success i guess …anyways have always loved your music…
@Komal: Thanks for your support 🙂
fault finders will find fault even in heaven, they have not even spared Guruji. Its upto oneself to identify and relate with the positive aspect rather than finding faults. Its like if u concentrate on the mud pond u will miss on the beauty of lotus
Proud of you brother! That couple is blessed whose wedding is showered with your voice and my master’s songs. Kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna, aap ka kaam hai gaana, aur apna kaam hai mast ho jana.
Hey vikram we really really admire you and your music 🙂 way to go..kuch toh log kahenge …logon ka kaam hai kehna 🙂
clarification sounds a bit defensive call it “proud declaration” !
@All: Thank you thank you :)))) So sweet of you all!
@Madhu: I finished my contract with Big FM quite some time ago; they do however replay old episodes quite often I am told 🙂
Absloutely Divine!
This was needed bhaiya and the way you have put it is just excellent. What you have contributed, with your intentions & conviction, to the society and spiritual genre of music can’t be valued in terms of money. This is what I will say work-seva balance!! And this coming straight from you is a right piece of guidance to the new comers (spcl in AOL) to not to fall off the balance in terms of doing seva & being a professional musician which is actually a thin line. You are knowledge & music personified & love you for that:-)
hi vikram i am kind of an atheist due to what i see around me and what GOD is SUPPOSE to be though i wanted to believe in him not through force but through heart but few days back while flipping through channels i came across your song “kaun kahte hai bhagwan” it worked like magnet and i Felt the divine peace like u say “swept off my feet” i hope this is the begning
I have actually came across many volunteers/devotees who say “Vikram Bhaiya charges a RANSOM for his satsangs” – I am always amazed and at a loss for words when I hear that. Mainly because my teacher Avinash Tiku and my friend Puneet Dawar who introduced me to AOL Idolised you, they would always tell me that Vikram Bhaiya is simply the best. I did attend winter break 2009 wherein u came back from Dubai just to sing for the participants on the call of your teacher ( Khursheed Batliwala ). This Post of your’s is a must read for most people. A nice write up simply illustrating your professionalism and your love for AOL.
Love You Bhaiya.
thanks bhaiya for all ur bhajans
Dear Vikramji
If you remeber, I have perstering you since a
decade to popularise your skills to the masses
of the country. Your participation on commerical basis is worthy of your talents and skills. But again I suggest you to make CDs of
your songs in these concerts and make it availailbe for viewing it by selling the same
in Music Shops. This way your divine voice will be avaliable for even the person in the remotest of the Indian Village and shallbe a hugely successful and commercially viable project.
Prof.Deepak Gupta
Ujjain
Love u bhaiya, myself a five months old baby in Art of living… i really addicted to your heavenly voice.. keep the divine work continue.. Jai Gurudev…
Jai Gurudev Vikram Bhaiya 🙂
I am a BIGGGG fan of yours 🙂
Its just a WOW site.. when you sing.. I can literally see you connect with your self.. and we could do it too.. through your bhajans 🙂
Keep rocking bhaiya!!!!
Well I don’t have anything much to praise about you n your Singing….
Bcoz i am a speechless person,who just can’t describe about your singing n you..
I just can’t get over from listening your bhajans day n night from past few months…
I’ve lot of interest in singing,Infact i ll say its my passion n i always do practice by playing your bhajans which gives a tough challenge to me…
You won’t believe n even i can’t that why am so so much desperate to meet you…After Guruji if right now at this state of mind if i want to meet anyone than its you..I though you ll be there on Guruji’s Birthday at bangalore ashram but you weren’t there 🙁 !!
When you came to Surat before 2-3weeks at that time i was in Jodhpur…Lost the Opportunity..
But i know something big there in Future 🙂 N even am planning something Big…Will speak you very soon for this…
Your sincerely n desperate person(to meet you)
Dhiraj Dhoot
Surat
Bhaiya you really rock.. I have been listening to your bhajans for almost 3 years but just in the recent past got a chance to attend a satsang with u . It was really unexpressable. Bhaiya when u sing out of AOL do u sing bhajans only or other type of songs also and any releases out of AOL.
hey! bhaiya we all admire and love your singing!!!!! please continue!!!!!!!………and i agree with kasturi ; ( proud declaration)
Dr.Mangla
Dearest Bhaiya
DO you approve all your comments before posted
as i must have posted 3-4 comments probably dint get approved????????
Dr. Mangla
BHOPAL
hi u r singing is spiritual form of bhajans where young generation can also connect we r blessed to listen to u great
Depth of your voice with a beautiful song Achutam Keshvam & Shivoham turned my life in the direction of AOl.Your voice is made for connecting with God.
JGD Dada, this article of urs has brought me a sigh of relief as was feeling burdened for being paid as honorarium for the satsang that I performed in a town in UP. Many such questions are being answered by greatness like you. Jai Guru Dev.
Vikram bhaiya muje FLUTE leni hai, muje Flute ka kuch bhi knowledge nahi hai…to plz muje batae ye…. thank you
Dear Vikram Bhaiya,
I am thinking to buy a new guitar (acoustic or electro-acoustic)…Would you please suggest me a nice one?
JGD
Somak
Belfast
mitrasomak@gmail.com
Maybe this is off-topic but can you tell me what’s the iPhone app that’s being used in this video to play that charming tune?
It’s like an air guitar 😉
Vikram Hazra, Rhythms of Peace, World Culture Festival Event, Dubai, Finale with Amazing Grace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QggktQc6hUo
All the best to you. Peace.
Best regards from Portugal,
Ricardo Nuno Silva
Hii,
As you said earlier that you have almost 15 satsang each month. Would you please post a schedule of these satsang , so that we can attend if its nearby. cos most of the time we didnt even know about satsang or come to know later.
Many thanks,
JGD,
Saurabh, Mumbai
Soul killing feel in u r voice…..
Breathtaking.. lifetaking…sweet like honey…
Takes me to heaven…
Nikhil Joshi
I just heard your Bhajan “Acchutam kesham” it’s really awesome ..I love your expression ..
r u coming to hyderabad for any satsang??????????…………. wanna desperately attend onne……. plz let me knw plzzzzzzzzzz……….
Bhaiya what if i want ti attend ur satsang .. and what if i want perform wid u .. 🙂 ???
m a Vocalist cum Guitarist … and we have our YES!+ band .. also .. so wat if we want to perform with you ??? ,,,…,,, waiting for ur reply bhaiya .. 🙂 🙂 🙂 … Jai Gurudev!!!
Please do visit Kalimpong(WB) for a satsang.. Eagerly want you to be here and bless the people of Kalimpong again … All people of Kalimpong are perplexed because of the earthquake that took place on 18th Sep. It will be very nice to see people coming back to normalcy.. And I feel satsang will be of great help to them.. Please give a thought and please bhaiya try to come…
Jgd, Bhaiya. I’ve attended ur satsang in dhule(Maharashtra). It was great. wen u r coming to pune for satsang. we r waiting…. Bye
Regards,
Shraddha
vikramji always rocks as lotus in ponds.there is always mud around lotus but it does not do anything to lotus. u are lotus .devine power is there in your singing a lot and we amaze with this power when you are siting next to guruji.we felt that always.god will give you much power always.
Listening to your songs, its so easy to sense the effortlessness with which you connect to the divine. Mermerising to say the least. Keep up your good work.
dearest vikram sir
jgd
first of all , happy holi:>
i must mention that your singing is truely magical dat slyly and easily takes me to the heaven of peace n happiness and satisfies my soul and makes my day..
in fact d aol is a colourless magic without ur voice…thanks a lot for being a part of it..
eagerly waiting fr ur response
jyoti thakur
as i said that d aol is a colourless magic without ur voice ………….and so was d mahasatsang of 28thmarch
[bangaluru]….
we r waiting to hear you sir…you are fabbb!!!;>
if its you…vikram sir’s manager ie mr ajay kadam …
den pls let him know how much he is being loved by his fans …obvsly including me,
…….waiting for him in d ncr…..
sir ..do cum soon….
jai gurudev
jyoti_thakur
jgd vikramji.. from where i can details of your live concerts?
Hello Vikram ji, When are you next likely to visit Singapore, anytime in 2012.. pls keep me informed. Regards, Santosh
Dear Vikram ji,
Any chance of you visiting Singapore soon in Year 2012.
Anyplace I could get an idea of your venue for Live Concerts AOL or private..
Regards
Santosh
ok,im thinking how to start,….hmmmmm,lost in your sdivine,heavenly voice…..
first time i ever heard you was at a satsang in shrimad rajchandra..at the time when Bapaji got few couples married.i wasnt present there.but i saw the dvd wnen it was aired in one of the satsangs later in mumbai.i couldnt take my eyes off seeing your expressive eyes n the most charming smile in the world….after that when i heard the song ,achyutam keshavam…i was dancing with joy….and the beautiful way to start it,the rhythm in your voice,taking the crowd along with ur command over words…. i mean you are awesome….tumse o jori,and the way you sang-saason ki sargam,dhadkan ki veena, i love dese songs…they are my most favourite…..im in love with you after i heard all of those songs….seriously u can make anyone dance to your beautiful,melodious,soothing,vibrant,fresh,heavenly,graceful,sweet,divine,charming voice…..im a big big admirer of you….you know its said,HTERE ARE FEW PEOPLE,THINGS U LOOK AT THEM,FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST GLANCE…YOU are that kind of human…you are a beautiful soul,you have that gift in you of uplifting every soul to get rejoice n dance in gods love with your mesmerising truthful,hart touching bhakti….i have never seen you of attended any of ur musical evenings….can you please let me know whn you have your next performance?kinjal
Gopala Radha lola is one of my fave bhajans, you have an incredible voice..the kind that gives you goosebumps in a good way 🙂 hope you’re going to be in joberg soon , saving up for a trip already trisha
Jai Gurudev! Bhaiyya could you please put up a post if and when you are be in the ashram for satsang? I am just left over-whelmed after listening to you!
Going to be*
Hi Vikram,
I was sad and surprissed when I heard that you are not singing anymore for AOL. Thanks for your frank and honest clarification.
Looking forward to hear you more…
Jai Gurudev
Kalyani Sengupta
Jgd ,Bhaiyya .Being in your satsang is a devine experience .I had left all the hopes to listen to you as things were appearing really difficult ,finacially and otherise also. Thanks, really thank you for this clarification . we may get another chance to be in your satsang . I am really happy . wish you all the best for everything
Dear Ms Sengupta, I continue to serve as Program Director for AOL and constantly teach courses etc. in addition I do a number of Satsangs for AOL each month, not only for free but in fact the AOL centres are able to raise funds for seva activities through my programs. My private programs are arranged separately
Bhaiya , a very good move.
Ur DSN and satsang at Deoghar still remains one of d best experiences for me 🙂