Shiv Shuffler has become an icon in the Bollywood music scene.
Image: Supplied
Shiv Shuffler has marked a defining moment in South Africa’s music scene after drawing thousands to a groundbreaking Bhajan clubbing launch in Durban, blending devotion with dance in a way not seen at this scale before.
The DJ and producer, born Shiv Ramsander, in partnership with the Festival of Chariots, has brought the concept “Ras Lila - A Bhajans Reimagined” to life on April 4, at the Durban Beachfront.
The event attracted more than 4,000 people, setting a new benchmark as the country’s largest Bhajan clubbing experience to date.
“Thank you, Durban, for your incredible support on the launch of our Bhajan clubbing experience. We made history last night with 4000 of you. Making this South Africa’s biggest Bhajan clubbing event,” said Shuffler.
In the days leading up to the event, he shared his vision for the show and the movement behind it.
“We cannot contain our excitement as we are officially launching our first-ever Bhajan clubbing experience at the Festival of Chariots, Durban. We could not have asked for a bigger stage to launch this movement as we have a massive outdoor setup built to host over 3,000 people, making this one of South Africa’s biggest bhajan clubbing events,” he said.
He explained that the performance would be split into two parts, starting with a reimagined Bhajan set before transitioning into a second high-energy segment.
“We are all about pushing boundaries and creating new concepts, which is the reason why we are calling this Bhajans reimagined. We are going to take the traditional aspect of bhajans and combine it with our signature sound. What we are doing is going to be the first of its kind in South Africa,” he said.
Looking ahead, Shuffler hinted at expanding the concept further.
“If this goes well, for the next phase, I will be putting together a live band, and we will be trying to emulate Bhajan clubbing just like how it is done in India, but with our signature South African flavour,” he added.
Shuffler’s rise to prominence has been shaped by a lifelong connection to music. He began playing the tabla at the age of three after receiving his first set from his father.
Growing up in a family deeply rooted in music, with a grandfather who was a band player and relatives involved in Bollywood performance, his path into sound was set early.
“DJing came to me at 19, fresh out of high school, as I was looking for a fun way to earn some money,” he said.
Early opportunities, supported by contacts he built as a dancer and model, helped him secure his first nightclub booking. With support from his mother, he invested in his first DJ equipment and began building his career.
Although he briefly stepped away to study mechanical engineering, he later returned to music with a renewed direction. Inspired by global trends in Bollywood DJ culture, particularly the use of live dhol players, he developed a distinctive sound that merged electronic music with traditional percussion.
This led to the formation of “Shiv Shuffler and the Dhol Army”, a performance concept that quickly gained traction across the country.
Today, Shuffler is recognised for creating immersive experiences that go beyond the dance floor. “I do not like to make people dance, I like to make them jump,” he said, describing the energy he aims to bring to every performance.