If extraterrestrial beings ever groove to an earthly tune, chances are they’ll be nodding along to a Hindustani classical raga straight out of Goa. Yes, you read that right—while most of us struggle to get our Spotify Wrapped just right, a song by legendary Goan vocalist Surshri Kesarbai Kerkar has been vibing its way through interstellar space for over four decades!
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in 1977, when disco balls ruled the Earth and Star Wars first hit theatres, NASA had a bright idea. They decided to send a mixtape into space—except this one wasn’t curated by a moody teenager but by the scientific genius Carl Sagan. Dubbed the Voyager Golden Record, this cosmic playlist was meant to represent the best of humanity, just in case some curious aliens happened to intercept it. Among the many cultural treasures aboard? Kerkar’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of Jaat Kahan Ho in Raag Bhairavi.
Now, if you know anything about Indian classical music, you’ll understand that a Bhairavi can stir up emotions ranging from nostalgia to an existential crisis about why you never took those singing lessons seriously. But imagine how it sounds to an alien life form—perhaps floating through the rings of Saturn, completely unprepared for the sheer depth of Kerkar’s voice. If nothing else, they’d at least wonder why Earthlings have so much soul.
For Goa, this is a moment of interstellar pride. The land of sun, sand, and feni has given the universe more than just pristine beaches and rave parties—it has gifted it a melody that is literally out of this world. While most Goans dream of their music reaching Mumbai or even London, Kerkar aimed straight for the cosmos.
And let’s be real—if aliens ever make contact, they’ll probably request an encore. Hopefully, by then, we’ll have figured out how to send a live Goan music festival into space.
Until then, Surshri Kesarbai Kerkar’s Jaat Kahan Ho will continue its infinite journey, proving that while the universe may be vast and mysterious, great music is truly universal.
reference for this article has been taken by jagran.com