Meet conch blowers from Pune who have been invited to Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya

“As a daughter of Bharat Mata, I am extremely happy,” says Kokane. She had never blown the conch until she found a pamphlet in 2017 about an initiative by Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak to teach the art.

Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak was set up in 2017 after its president Nitin Mahajan realised that the traditional art was disappearing in Maharashtra. It started with four members but today attracts between 450-500 people to the Omkareshwar temple for free training. They meet every second and fourth Saturday, except now when they meet every day, 5.30 pm-7.30 pm, to rehearse for Ayodhya.

Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak was set up in 2017 after its president Nitin Mahajan realised that the traditional art was disappearing in Maharashtra. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

The members are aged between 5 and 85 and come from all walks of life in pursuit of excellence in blowing the conch.

Ninety per cent of the members of Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak are women. Mahajan says that this has been an achievement in a culture that used to believe that women should not touch the conch. “I used to give them the example of Bengali women who blow the conch. Keshav Shankaaad Pathak’s aim is to inspire people so that the conch is blown in every Hindu home and our old rituals come alive again,” says Mahajan.

He adds that members are taught different ways of blowing the conch as well as its health benefits. “Blowing the shankh strengthens your lungs and other body parts in a way similar to anulom, vilom of pranayam,” he says.

Over the years, Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak has become integral to Pune’s festivals. Members perform at Ganeshotsav and other religious events. “When we blow the conch, the environment becomes purified,” says Mahajan.

Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak has inspired and impressed listeners, ranging from the crowds at Ganesh Visarjan to dignitaries, such as Home Minister Amit Shah and Champat Rai, international vice president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, during their visits to Pune.

Six months ago, Mahajan sent Rai a letter stating a desire for the conch players of Pune to represent Maharashtra in Ayodhya. They showed him videos of their performance and gave a demonstration. On December 18, they received a formal invitation.

Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak will play at 10-15 sites in Ayodhya on January 23 and 24, including the temple. “We selected the conch blowers based on their skills. Some have been with us for years, while a few joined us just six months ago but play very well. We selected people who could perform very well,” says Mahajan.

The group will blow the conch in different ways — brahma naad, omkar naad, chakra naad, among others. “Even dhwani activates a different part of the body,” he says.

Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak will play at 10-15 sites in Ayodhya on January 23 and 24, including the temple. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

Prof Dipika Jangam is one of the 72 women conch players preparing to travel to Ayodhya on January 18. She comes from a family of conch players, but it was at Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak that she properly honed her art.

“There are different ways to play a conch and it is nice to be in training. The conch plays an important role in our scriptures and spreads positivity,” she says.

“I take out two hours every day to attend practice and, then, I rehearse at home. This is an important moment in the history of India, and I feel proud to be representing Indian culture,” she adds.

In August, 2,100 members of Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak will attempt a world record. “This is to commemorate the century of our parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), 60 years of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and 350 years of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji,” says Mahajan, who is also head of Western Maharashtra Bajrang Dal. 2024 also marks eight years of Keshav Shankhnaad Pathak.