The title for the longest officially released song belongs to Dr. Jagadeesh Pillai from India, who created an astonishing musical piece lasting 138 hours, 41 minutes, and 20 seconds. This record was achieved in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, on April 12, 2023, marking a monumental feat in music history.
Dr. Pillai, a multifaceted individual as a writer, researcher, and motivational speaker, dedicated over four years to the meticulous process of recording, editing, and mixing this record-breaking track. His creation is not just lengthy; it’s deeply rooted in Indian culture and spirituality.
The epic song is a rendition of the entire “Shri Ram Charit Manas,” a revered poetic work penned by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Goswami Tulsidas. This epic poem, written in Awadhi, a Hindi dialect, comprises more than 15,000 verses and is central to Hindu religious and cultural heritage.
The “Shri Ram Charit Manas” itself is based on the Ramayana, one of Hinduism’s most fundamental epic texts, alongside the Mahābhārata. The Ramayana narrates the saga of Prince Rama, considered the seventh avatar of Vishnu, a principal deity in Hinduism. Goswami Tulsidas, the poet behind “Shri Ram Charit Manas,” was deeply devoted to Rama and spent much of his life in Varanasi and Ayodhya, both significant locations in the epic and for Hindu devotees.
Varanasi, where Dr. Pillai accomplished this record, is known as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and holds immense spiritual importance in Hinduism. It is frequently mentioned in ancient Indian epics and is considered the spiritual capital of India, home to the holy Ganges River and numerous temples. It’s also near Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Dr. Pillai emphasizes the significance of Varanasi, stating, “This city is called the spiritual capital of India because of the holy river Ganges, house to thousands of temples, and also because of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha has given his first sermon to his five disciples after the illumination. This city has lots and lots to say and spread.” His record-breaking song not only sets a new benchmark in musical length but also highlights the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of India and the timeless epic of the Ramayana.
Read more about Dr Pillai’s record on Guinness World Records
