When Raag Bhairavi Touched the Stars: Kesarbai Kerkar on Voyager 1

In 1977, NASA launched a spacecraft called Voyager 1 into space to explore the outer edges of our solar system. But they didn’t just load it with scientific instruments. They also included a Golden Record. Think of it like a mixtape from Earth, filled with music, greetings in different languages, and sounds from nature, just in case someone out there ever finds it. Among the 27 songs on that record, there’s one very special Indian track: “Jaat Kahan Ho” by Kesarbai Kerkar, a legendary classical singer. It’s the only Indian song on board, and it’s been travelling through space for over 45 years now. Imagine that, a voice from 1935, still floating among the stars. But who was Kesarbai Kerkar? And why was this particular song chosen? If you are curious too, then give this article a good read!

From Vinyl to Voyager 

Surshri Kesarbai Kerkar was born in 1892 in Keri, Goa, and later became one of the most respected figures in Indian classical music. She trained under Ustad Alladiya Khan of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana and was known for her powerful voice and mastery over complex ragas. Her singing style was deep, emotional, and technically brilliant. She didn’t record a lot of music during her lifetime, but whatever little exists is considered gold among classical music lovers. One of her most iconic recordings is “Jaat Kahan Ho”, a song she recorded in 1935. That very track is the one that NASA chose to include on the Golden Record.

The Golden Record was a project led by scientist Carl Sagan and his team. Their idea was to create a time capsule that would tell any alien civilisation who we are and what life on Earth sounds like. The record contains greetings in 55 languages, sounds like laughter, a baby crying, birds chirping, and a collection of music from around the world. The music list is incredibly diverse. It includes Western classical composers like Bach and Beethoven, traditional songs from China and Peru, and even Aboriginal songs from Australia. Among these tracks, there’s just one from India, by Kerkar. But, the question arises, who would put an Indian classical song amongst the stars?

The person who recommended this particular track was Dr. Robert E. Brown, an American ethnomusicologist who had studied Indian music closely. When NASA asked for a piece that truly represented Indian classical music, he chose this one.

A Song that Transcends Space and Time

“Jaat Kahan Ho” is based on Raag Bhairavi, a morning raga known for its emotional depth. The song is in Braj Bhasha (mainly spoken in the Braj region of India, encompassing Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana) and roughly translates to “Where are you going?” It’s filled with a sense of longing, devotion, and introspection. What’s also special is that the recording used on the Golden Record was made way back in 1935.

Kesarbai’s achievements were recognised in her lifetime. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1953 and the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in 1969. After her passing on September 16, 1977, the same year her voice was launched into space, her legacy continued to inspire generations of musicians. The Kesarbai Kerkar Scholarship was instituted to support young artists, and a music festival, the Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet Samaroh, is held in her memory by the Kala Academy in Goa.

Her commitment to discipline and musical purity earned her the title “Gaan Tapasvini”, or one who worships music through deep devotion. Her voice has been described as rich, bold, and unmistakably Indian. Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar once remarked, “When she sang, it was as though the raga itself was singing.” Her music continues to be studied, celebrated, and cherished, a symbol of India’s deep-rooted classical tradition.

Voyager 1 is now the most distant human-made object from Earth. It has crossed our solar system and is now travelling through interstellar space. It moves at over 17 kilometres per second and has already travelled more than 14 billion miles. And with it, Kesarbai Kerkar’s voice continues its journey. Out there, far beyond planets and stars, a song recorded in a small, makeshift studio in 1935 India is still playing. 

Kesarbai Kerkar’s voice is not just a piece of music travelling through the stars. It is a part of India's cultural soul, chosen to speak on behalf of a billion people and an ancient tradition.