‘Hey Bhole Baba, Manwa Ke Hamra Banaras Bana Da’: Bhojpuri Devotional Song Released on Sawan

On the auspicious occasion of the holy month of Sawan, the Bhojpuri devotional song “Hey Bhole Baba, Manwa Ke Hamra Banaras Bana Da”, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the spiritual glory of Kashi, has been released on the official YouTube channel of Bhojpuri IT Cell.

Lyricist Manoj Bhawuk said that this is not merely a devotional song for him, but a musical expression of his faith, devotion, and philosophy of life inspired by Banaras. Through the song, Banaras is portrayed not just as a city, but as a symbol of devotion, liberation, and inner awakening.

The song opens with the refrain:
“Hey Bhole Baba, Hey Shambhu Baba, Manwa Ke Hamra Banaras Bana Da,
Whether life brings joy or sorrow, keep us immersed in divine bliss and guide our life’s boat safely across.”

According to Manoj Bhawuk, the song is essentially a prayer to Lord Shiva- to transform the human heart into a “Banaras,” a state of mind where one rises above the dualities of happiness and sorrow and experiences Shiva’s bliss, compassion, balance, and inner peace.
The verses beautifully weave together spiritual symbols such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, the four goals of life- Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha – and the famous Lanka chauraha, presenting profound philosophical ideas in simple and soulful Bhojpuri.

Manoj Bhawuk believes that Banaras is not merely a geographical location but a spiritual state where devotion, compassion, detachment, and inner peace coexist. This, he says, is the central message of the song. He also noted that very few Bhojpuri songs have explored the spiritual grandeur of Banaras, and expressed confidence that this composition will touch not only devotees of Lord Shiva but also lovers of music and literature.

The song has been sung by renowned vocalist Surbhi Kashyap and singer Arjun Pandey. The music has been composed by acclaimed Bhojpuri film composer Rajnish Mishra, who has delivered numerous popular songs over the years. The concept has been developed by Aastha Dwivedi. The music video is directed by Sumit Tiwari, cinematographed by Sudhanshu Singh, produced by One Shot Films, and produced by Shailendra Dwivedi.

The creative partnership of lyricist Manoj Bhawuk and composer Rajnish Mishra has earlier produced several memorable songs, including Tor Baurahwa Re Maai, Aapan Kahaye Wala Ke Ba, Dulhiniya Naach Nachawe, and Mere Ram.

Speaking about the song, Manoj Bhawuk said:
“Today’s music industry is driven by the race for views. However, I believe that creating songs rooted in our culture, faith, and spiritual heritage is far more important than chasing numbers. If this song inspires even one listener to carry the spirit of Banaras within and deepens their devotion to Lord Shiva, I will consider my effort truly successful.”