Jyoshna - From Nothingness To Empowerment: Recent Episodes
Jyoshna La Trobe
In this interview we talk about how this new album came about, some mystical experiences with the album, about Gunatiita's working relationship with Sukhadeva, her feeling about Prabhat Samgiit, what kiirtan means to her and much more. It ends with her favourite kiirtan on the album,
A few of us came together to share our experiences of the first Sunrise Kiirtan Mela festival on Sept 30 till Oct 1st. Present in this podcast are Ashoka, Caitriona, Jiivan (Host), Gerry, Maetrii, Siobhan, and myself. The reactions were diverse: Ashoka said:"it was stunning" and Siobhan, "it was a glowing portal for the divine all weekend", and Kate said "it was such a rollercoaster, it opened up a whole new world for me", and Caitriona "the kiirtan shifted you into a higher consciousness.. I felt like I stepped out of time" among others. We start with some kiirtan and end the same way.
Jiivan Jack Mc Carthy speaks about his new research work on Sustainability including 'Frontline Bikes', a bike mechanic business that supports people moving from addiction to independent living. He talks about a circular economy really being about relationships and mutual benefits.
Gerard Madden is a native of Whitegate, County Clare, and is the author of numerous books dealing with local history and the ancestry of Irish families. He authored the histories of Holy Island, Scariff, Mountshannon and Tuamgraney. He is also editor and frequent author of the East Clare Heritage Sliabh Aughty Journal and a boatman of 32 years. This conversation was recorded while I was with my daughter Isabel of five years, after a boat tide to Holy Island recently. Gerard or 'Ger' as he is known around here is a prolific writer and historian as well as a boatman. He is suggesting in this interview that the Child Burial ground, the most sacred spot on Holy Island, be restored without delay and that the planned Interpretative Centre be forgone, as we have the most beautiful island right there in front of us. Wise words Gerry! I end with the song' If I could Swim the Ocean' written in East Clare and on my new album, 'Unity Hours IV". https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-could-swim-the-ocean
Ambika came to Sunrise farm about nine months ago and here she speaks about her experience in Ukraine, Poland and Ireland, about how the war has effected her, and how she moved from depression into learning kiirtan and meditation. Even though she still struggles with finding her connection with the divine she knows that she definitely wants to meditate and to help others. She ends with the beautiful song of Madalasa, in Sanskrit and English.
In this podcast I share a new recording of a kiirtan track being released soon with Unity Hours IV songs and discuss some thoughts and readings by P.R Sarkar on the duty of a government to support the arts and musicians. Cezanne could live on the smell of an oily rag but can we? hear the complete song album here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv
This is a brief update of events after a long time including: the music video "Consciousness" directed by #Shailaja Padindala; group performances at Evolve festival and Garnet station; coming together of Turiiya after decades; Cyclone Gabrielle and the Kiirtan Academy. I end the podcast with a new demo of the song, the Secret. Music video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXM47cvbCx0
In this podcast Shailaja speaks about her background in India, her creative exploration into sexuality, queerness and social activism. She also speaks about her experience 'coming out' to her parents, and her use of film and music as a tool for activism. Having been to L.V Prasad Film and TV Academy in Chennai she has wrote, directed and acted in her own short film called 'Memories of a Machine' (2016) which went viral as well as her feature film called 'Naanu Ladies' (2021) to be released this year. Her film song 'Vote Haaki' is an ironic look at Indian politics, a black comedy of sorts. Shailaja speaks about the musical influences in her life such as A.R Rehaman and Illayaraja and ends with a beautiful song 'Aaj Jane Ki Zid' by Faridha Khanum. Link to Memories ofa Machine: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NyudLUzDSl0&feature=youtu.be, Link to Naan Ladies Trailer: https://youtu.be/JYiL6DGGJ5Q. Link to `Vote Haaki: https://youtu.be/lHWnFfcnBQc
Amita and I discuss her experience as her mothers model, and about the painting itself. She also touches on her Jacqueline Fahey's involvement in movements for social change and justice, her feminism and her career. Lastly Amita talks about her own musical interests, her experience of samadhi and ends with a beautiful song in Te Reo.
Kapil's stories are quite humorous coming from someone who knew nothing about Baba previously to going to India. Kapil was there in 1970 just after Baba gave Baba Nam kevalam kiirtan. Heres a short excerpt from a casual conversation we had about kiirtan and Kapil's spiritual experiences in those very early days with Baba.Kapil will be coming to the Kiirtan Academy Monthlies to give a talk in the new year so he can give more details then. I leave you with the song 'We are not Alone' from Unity Hours IV. https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-not-alone
This week has been an incredible week in NZ for women's empowerment. First we had the Topp Twins Tribute Concert on the7th Nov then the Black Ferns win over England at the Rugby Women's World Cup on Saturday. Women are showing themselves as the vanguards of the revolution in all spheres of life, may it roll on! I finish with the song 'Sing a song Holiday' for all of those incredibly hard working women out there. This song is available on the album Unity Hours IV, here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv
In this podcast I interview Didi Ananda Arpana on this very significant day of 'Kiirtan Divas'. On October 8th in 1970 Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji gave the universal mantra Baba Nam Kevalam so that everyone could experience bliss and the feeling of being sheltered within the divine. Didiji shares her experience strengths and hope and then I end with a devotional song from Unity Hours IV and Baba Nam Kevalam. To check out Unity Hours IV, Click here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv
Moving can be an adventure as well as a challenge. I reflect on my move from the northern to the southern hemispheres and Sam Teliandis Sukhadeva from the city of Melbourne to the countryside of Queensland, Australia. I end with a new song/kiirtan in the making. To check out the new album Unity Hours IV, click here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-IV
The most fulfilling experience from launching the album Unity Hours IV was the opportunity to give back to my community through love and music. In this podcast I give thanks to those who supported me and share some thoughts about the album launch. Giving back to my community is something very important to me. Each of us has been given a gift of Dharma (innate characteristic or spirit) in our lives and to be able to express this, to give ones gift, whatever it may be, is the most soul nourishing experience. I end the podcast with a review and a new track from the album. Click here to check out the new album: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv
In this interview Jiivan describes his experience of being an ABBA fan, the bliss he felt when he could say 'I love you" to Agnetha and her amazing response at the ABBA Premiere in London. It was the concert that he always wanted to go to, but coudnt and now finally went. We end with an old kiirtan of mine that Jiivan loves to sing, called LFT Kiirtan.
In this podcast, I speak with Dayakar, about his background and the benefits of the kiirpa, an instrument he invented following the mystical instructions of his guru. He speaks about how the kiirpa benefits people musically and medically, especially those with neurological disorders. With this instrument you don't need to know how to read or even to play music to make your own riffs, you just need to hold it close to you and play what makes you feel good, its like a medicine. He ends the podcast with his own kiirpa improvisation. Check it out at https://kiirpa.com/
In this interview Bernadette talks about her background and the session of macaronic singing at the Mount Shannon Arts Festival recently that was very successful. She also speaks about the Irish Language movement that she is dedicated to. She ends with a macaronic song called One Morning in June, a love song from the 18th century.
Most of Unity Hours IV album was recorded in Malbay Studio, except the backing vocals which I recorded with Michael Lloyd in NZ. Recently I interviewed Martin O'Malley about the background of his studio. It's a wonderful studio in a rural area of Ireland, near to the beach, where we have begun to mix the album. I also share one rough mix of the song "Under Her Spell' a song about my daughter Isabel.
So much is happening over these two weeks at the Mount Shannon Arts Festival, with the Community Parade and Picnic last weekend, Macaronic Singing, Local and International Films (Wednesdy and Thursday) , Amazing Art and Photography (ongoing), the market (this weekend) and so much more. I end the podcast with two different versions of the song'Tiny Green Island', by P.R.Sarkar. Version 1 was recorded in the early 90s and version 2 was recorded more recently in Ireland in Irish and English, ending with Baba Nam Kevalam 'Love is all there Is' kiirtan or chant. Come and Enjoy Mount Shannon Festival this weekend see at: www.mountshannnon arts. To know more about Macaronic singing, see: https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0324/603788-sen-sochin-sings-a-macaronic-song/
In this podcast I talk about Pitr Yajina or Honouring our Ancestors aka the 'Bath Mantra', something which is very beneficial to our health and our happiness. It has immense value personally and collectively by recognising those who have paved the way for human progress. It also reminds us of our spiritual goal in life, that we are coming from Infinite Consciousness and will eventually merge back into Infinite Consciousness, once our work has been completed. I also talk about the upcoming events at the Kiirtan Academy and end with Ananda Sutram Kiirtan.
Giridhara or Tom Barefoot, was an amazing person, a role model to many of us, through his sadhana (meditation) and service. His work in creating the Srii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar Archives has served all of us around the world for decades, as well his many other social service projects. Giridhara and his wife Acarya Cirasmita, hosted me for over a year in the early 90's as I joined their community to sing songs and kiirtans together at their home in Vermont. This resulted in the 'Touched by the Sea' album recorded with the local Margiis and musicians, at a studio nearby in Montpellier. The love, compassion and friendship Giridhara gave me, will always remain in my heart and so I remain forever grateful. I end with a new song called Divine Fire and kiirtan.
After a time of reflection I have gathered together some highlights of my stay in Aotearoa, such as what happens when you take risks for something good, feeling gratitude for new and old connections and recording with Michael, ending with a brief description of the new courses we are offering at the Kiirtan Academy.and a new kiirtan called Divine Fire.
Dada Vedaprajinananda shares songs by the Indian composer Prabhat Ranjain Sarkar with a western slant in a new album he has produced from singers around the globe. In his interview he shares his inspirational work and musical experiences. Click the links below to listen to Dadas new albums and podcast:
For the Prabhat Samgiita album and the Songs for Social Change: https://rawamusic.bandcamp.com
For Dada's music (and new album too): https://dadaveda.bandcamp.com and also www.dadaveda.com
Dada's spiritual podcasts: www.dharmacast.com
Prout Podcasts: https://anchor.fm/prout-rev-podcast
Dadaji is very active in various social service projects in Aotearoa NZ. He leads the Feeding Programme, has been involved in promoting the sacred medicinal Neem tree internationally and is also part of the Prout party (Progressive Utilisation Theory), that brings new optimism to the political landscape. This interview took place almost a month ago, before I left NZ, but is still very valid and inspirational.
Maetreyii speaks about her brave move from Japan to the USA to study Psychology and how she uses it in her musical career today. She initiated a new business called Hands on Transformation in support of the National Disabilities Scheme (NDIS). Maetreyii lives in Australia with her family and has recorded her first album called New Beginnings. Her soaring, celestial vocals are unique and her instrumentation fits perfectly around them. I guarantee this album will leave a deep impression on you. In the interview she speaks about some research done on music and plants. I found areference to the first one following, and the second one was Masaro Emoto's photographic work. It reads "Dr. Singh, head of Botany at Annamalai University in India studied plants reactions to Classical and Rock music. While listening to Classical and Baroque music, the plants grew 72% more leaves and they grew 20% faster. The plants which were exposed to Rock music grew abnormally tall and died in 2 weeks. The plants which were exposed to Classical and Baroque music ended up leaning towards the speakers instead of the light and the closest plants began to wrap themselves around the speakers." For Links Please Click Below, thank you:
Maetreyii's Music Link: https://stanwith.me/MaetreyiiRelaxationMusic
For references See at: https://www.quora.com/search?q=research%20on%20the%20effect%20of%20classical%20music%20and%20heavy%20metal%20on%20plants)
Tonight I reminisce about my stay at Bethells Beach, Aotearoa and some things I am grateful for (even though its not over yet). I end with a beautiful Prabhat Samgiit sung by Didi Ananda Anuprabha and Tiny Green Island in Irish and English sung by the Sunrise Singers.
Gunatiita's new kiirtan album began more than seven years ago and its finally reached its completion. In this podcast she speaks about her background in alternative medicine, her work with wind power, her sustainable land project, and her new kiirtan album. This album was written in Sweden and recorded in Brazil whereas her Swedish song album was recorded in Norway, both newly released on all social media. https://share.amuse.io/album/gunatiita-hoping-you-will-come-kiirtan
Listen to Hoping You Will Come - Kiirtan by Gunatiita share.amuse.io
Album of Bhajans inspired by PS;
https://open.spotify.com/album/5ld1zmp1h26d8wdCbRwTjD?si=wusSJyWeR3mO94-I4e9ajQ
Alla Längtar Vi
Gerda Dufwa · Album · 2019 · 8 songs.
open.spotify.com
Both albums are now on SoundCloud; https://soundcloud.com/user300209038?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Gunatiita
Listen to Gunatiita | SoundCloud is an audio platform that lets you listen to what you love and share the sounds you create.
soundcloud.com
Regarding which PS was the inspiration to which bhajan, this is the PS inspiration to each song of the Bhajan album;
Alla längtar vi - PS 158, Du är vägen - PS 1017, Idag - PS 105, Stanna hos mig - PS 162, Vandrande Främling - PS 1698, Vem är Du - PS 1025
Vintervisa - PS 99
Emere, an animal activist and opera singer, works ceaselessly for PCAP (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Plants). In this podcast she speaks about the black back gulls of Aotearoa that are now endangered due to climate change and over fishing. She goes down every day to Aotea Centre to feed the birds, which in the past were pets. Emere also talks about how artists such as her mother, the renowned NZ painter Jacqueline Fahey have featured sea gulls in their paintings often. She ends with a beautiful waiata or NZ Maori song. If you can help please contact Emere at: https://www.facebook.com/emily.mcdonald.5245
Ini has faced a major life threatening illness recently and with a little help from her friends has risen above it to inspire us all with her deep heart wisdom and her amazing music. Listen here to her story and download Ini's Affirmation Album Click here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2BL0XZU40Z8EK9j41vJFSN
Six months ago, we lost Saskia, a beautiful creative woman from our community in Mount Shannon, Co Clare, Ireland. Our Community is small so it had a huge impact on all of us. I am in NZ at present so have time to write music. Here I offer a draft of a song, using her poem and my music.
'Golden Dawn' or Sonali bhor, and 'New year' or Ek Nutaner songs are the some of the most deeply mystical and empathetic songs ever written. Listen here.
Dada Daneshananda Fundraises only once a year for his "Every Life Counts' Project for women and babies in the rural areas on Nigeria. His generous sponsor, will match any amount given, so please let's give a little to help those in emergency situations. He speaks with excitement about the Health Cultural Rallies that are very entertaining as well as educational. On the other hand he also says a little about what it's like to see a child die of malnutrition in this area, something we in the west, can hardly imagine. Please give a little at: https://amurt.enthuse.com/cf/everylifecounts
Didi Ananda Gunamaya speaks about how being in Accra, Ghana is not too different from Brasil but how she has greater opportunity for spiritual growth and surrender here. She runs not only a Children's School "Lotus Children's Centre' but also leads mass feeding projects while Tapatii runs a very successful vegetarian cafe in the region and supports Babas quarters. From having to keep vegetarianism a secret, less they be called 'witches' to now being a very popular cafe, its a joy to listen to their stories. Didi and Tapatii sing three kiirtans and they are very contagious, so melodious and with very beautiful rhythms unique to the region. It's such a pleasure to listen and sing along to. Check out Didi's projects at: https://www.facebook.com/lotusaccra, and at http://www.lotuschildrencentre.org/about/. Please consider giving a donation at this difficult time. Thank you.!
Puspa shares some wonderful stories about her life and her inspiring projects, including Memory Cafe and Perculator for the Aged. She speaks about her involvement with Ageless Grace, a Body/Mind and Movement Exercise. Puspa also sings three beautiful songs with original lyrics written to some catchy kiirtan tunes, and ends with a brilliant Baba story. Check out the Memory Cafe website below https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/
Premratna aka Sarah Spence is an amazing woman- she is a classically trained vocalist who loves to sing kiirtan, has trained in many different healing modalities including dream work and Dalian Method for Health and Consciousness, works in IT and Learning, is into astrology and more. Musically she has recorded two solo albums so far and has been a founding member of the women's group called 'Shakti Sacred Music', offering NZ audiences a unique sound singing Devi kiirtan. In this interview we discuss her music, her inspiring podcast on Midlife Transitions and more. Check out her music and podcast via the links below. www.premratnamusic.net/podcast. www.sarahmarlowespence.com
Here it is, the edited video of Kiirtan from the Feminine. On the occasion of NZ Yoga Day some local women decided to get together and share some kiirtan to celebrate NZ Yoga Day 2021. They are, Group 1: Jyoshna LaTrobe (Guitar/singing) , Sarasvati Willis (Flute/Singing), Tonya Wyatt (singing) Emere McDonald (Piano, Singing); Angie Bao; Sarah Spence (Premratna (Guitar/Singing), Emma Skellern (Drum/Singing), Melanie Hight (Guitar/Singing), Fern Watson (Harmonium/Singing); Video Editor: by Aston Garratt. You Tube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHr0mwNPKbA
When I saw the line up for NZ Yoga day I was disappointed to see that there weren't any female kiirtan players. So I set about doing something to change that. I called old friends, from when I was here four years ago, Sarah, Mel and Fern from Shakti band. They were keen to do something and then Sarah contacted Rachel and Emma too and Mel called Angie. There were ten of us in the end who came forward with just a few days to record a kiirtan. Accompanying me were Sarasvati, Emere and Tapasii. The short 5 minute videos have been sent to the editor Aston Garret, in time for Saturday. The other exciting event is the Open Mic Kiirtan nite which is also happening on Saturday 8 pm Irish time or 9 am Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come and share a kiirtan if they like, in a very supportive environment. At the end I include the audio of the video we made of the song and kiirtan called Dharma.
So the three greatest polluters on our planet are EAT or Energy Agriculture and Transport. Did you know that the temperature only has to increase by 1.5 degrees more and we will be at our tipping point? So what can we do? Jiivan has some great suggestions for the First world countries, who are causing havoc in the Third world countries. In technology alone there is 54 million tons of waste, in one year, hence the need for innovation, and individual responsibility to save our planet for future generations. Listen to Jiivan's repot on COP 26 here.
Narada Muni is an extraordinary person with a wealth of spiritual knowledge gained from experience, firm determination, courage and surrender. In the first half of the interview Narada talks the situation that lead to him being incarcerated at 18 years of age. He talks candidly about his experiences in jail, all the way through to when he was released. In the second half, Narada Muni talks about his spiritual journey, and a myriad of Baba stories that will amaze and inspire you. Narada Munis book Bombs Bliss and Baba is available on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.com/Bombs-Bliss-Baba-Spiritual-Autobiography/dp/0994402740
Tonight I share my experiences with my amazing sisters who came to help me get my stuff together, working as a team. It made me reflect on the power of collaboration even in so called solitary activities like meditation. I then share a demo of a new song/bhajan and kiirtan.
Hiranmaya Henryque Cunha is a young man with a mission. He seeks to share his experiences and to work collaboratively with other musicians. He's studying Music Therapy, connecting with others in RAWA (Renaissance Artists and Writers Association) Brasil, and experiencing the bliss from the songs that he's inspired to write since COVID. He says that morality, firm determination and surrender are what brought him the spiritual path. Click here to listen to more music:Rawa Braisl yt recordings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrFmPWbDMP-LkRMV8Ehyn5A/videos. Hiranmaya's personal page is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/henryquemc/featured
Sutapa shares her spiritual journey here with poignant humour: how she was so determined to get initiation, her astounding spiritual dreams, how she overcame her complexes in public; how she got the inspiration to sing online every day during the pandemic and much more. She ends with a mesmerising kiirtan from Prabhat Samgiit.
I rarely talk politics, its not my area of expertise, but tonight I want to express something about diversity, it being a natural, expression of identity that cant be denied. I end with a song that I wrote today, a draft only, called 'Respect'.
Didi Ananda Gaorii has been a worker in Ananda Marga for over 40 years and today she shares her experiences about her background, how she survived in India during the Emergency, and the work she does as a Didi, including her school in Laos, called Sunshine Schhol which has around 400 students. Didiji also speaks about the aesthetics of art and music, as well as her experiences writing bhajans poetry and making a Kiirtan album. She intersperses her talk with singing her bhajans, like 'the Sweetest Word,' and 'I love you Forever' and then ends with a beautiful Baba story. Here is the link to Didis free Kiirtan CD: Conversations and Bhajans: I'm just a little child http://onlyhisname.com/page3.html; Didi's Poetry books "On a Boat of Loneliness", "The Cosmic Artist" and "Dream Weaver" are @ http://onlyhisname.com/page2.html. To donate to Didi's Sunshine School, click here: https://donorbox.org/give-quality-education-to-lao-children. To write to didi and find out more about Sunshine School Click here: https://www.sunshinelaos.com/
So you have 5 links to add to the podcast text: 1. Donation campaign 2. School website 3. Poetry Blog 4. Kiirtan 'Conversations' and Bhajans "I'm just a little child" CD downloads 6.
Sukhadeva is wildly passionate about living life with sincerity, with the touch of the divine. In this podcast he talks about how he got onto the yogic path and the transformative experiences he has had. Sukhadeva sings a short kiirtan. I end with a song called 'Lift Her Higher,' which is dedicated to Suzanne Nelson, Sukhadeva's his mother-in-law, who has just been admitted to hospital.
Anirvan Deva's music is a genuine revolution of the heart. To get there, he went through being in a punk band, to DJ'ing, to breaking down, to kiirtan and meditation to Dj'ing again but in a new style. The sequence of events that happened transformed his life completely. He created a unique style of blended world music, deep beats and bass, sound textures, mantra and the spoken word, a kind of emotional story telling. With this he sends inspiration to his live and online audience. Anirvan shares some kiirtan stories and a remix at the end. Listen to his weekly session at Base FM here: https://basefm.co.nz/show/beneath-the-surface/ - Wed 2-4 NZ TIME how to listen in worldwide..Check out his music at: https://anirvandeva.wordpress.com/home and on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/anirvandeva/baba-nam-kevalam-sojha-ad-remix-01?in=anirvandeva/sets/multicultural-downtempo.
Today I honour and celebrate this immensely special day 'Kiirtan Divas', when 51 years ago in 1970, Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji gave the siddha 'empowered' mantra 'Baba Nam Kevalam'. I share five poignant kiirtans written over the past 5 decades, each one with a short story behind. Check out the Kiirtan Academy Video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We-Et-S62-8&t=737s
Tonya or Tapasii as I know her, is an educator and environmental scientist. She speaks about her longing to expand her life while growing up in Tasmania and her longing to become vegetarian and a yogii. These days she inspires youth to get to know and love their environment, to widen their perspectives and include indigenous knowledge, drawing on Maori mythology for example. I end with a kiirtan written in lockdown and recorded with Nina (drums), Sucitra and Liilavati in Waihi. Heres the link for my music video called 'Anything' in which Tapasii is sitting meditating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK0CEMVJUeM
Manasvinii is one of the new generation of kiirtaniyas. She started off with two kiirtans and now she knows so many and is composing her own. She's dedicated a year or more to working as a volunteer or LFT (Local Full time worker for Ananda Marga) service projects and kiirtan is her passion. She plays her own kiirtan at the end, with her rich melodious alto voice.
Dada Daneshanandaji has experienced the most heart wrenching births and deaths in Nigeria, yet he is full of hope and love for the African villagers where he works in reproductive health and emergency obstetric services. He has set up community owned and community Managed projects in these villages. In this podcast he speaks about his work, and also about his favourite musicians at present including Little Simz and Darren Hayman. I end the podcast with a Congo Kiirtan.
I have been friends with Michael and Sarah Lloyd since the nineties. We have done many recording projects together. Today Michael is working on a new album with Chris Banks (Ex Deep Obsession). In this podcast he is sharing his insights into the producers role as he navigates new musical arenas due to covid. He also speaks about his own new sitcom called 'Heaven', something of a radical tragic comedy. He ends with a demo of a song from Chris's new album, called 'Wherever You Are' that features Mike Garson (David Bowies pianist), guitarists Adam Fox and Dave Colquhoun (Bohemian Rhapsody film guitarist).
In this podcast Nina talks about her songwriting, her Maori 'way of being' and her collaborative experiences with people including making a CD in support of Karagahake Gorge to keep it free from mining. She covers themes such as the sacredness of the land in her songs, and describes her experience of the power of karakia. Nina shares a relevant song called 'Piece a Paper' at the end.
In this podcast, Kamala gives us an update on what happening at the River School in Maleny, their Olympics Day for example as well as their long standing connection with the aboriginal peoples' music culture at the school. She is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the very successful Food Coop in Maleny. As a musicians she is making progress in marketing her music globally while still pondering how to harness present day opportunities to highlight new artists and new material.
Thanks to the wonderful hotel workers here in QIF I shall emerge tomorrow from this time in quarantine with plenty to be thankful for as well as a few reservations. Some close strangers and some bird friends kept me company particularly one bird i named Jennifer Livingston Seagull. I end with a kiirtan that came to me here in QIF.
The music to Chapter 1 of Ananda Sutram by Shrii Shrii Anandumurti was composed in NZ last time I was here and now I embark on Chapt 2, this most amazing book that changed my life...
Its been five days now in Quarantine and tonight I share some of the benefits and the challenges. Uniting against Covid is a common theme for people and for me the word 'unity' is very significant. I decide to challenge myself and see if its possible to create some open communication with others. I end with the song'The First Time' from the album Unity Hours II.
In this podcast Didi shares her experience of how it happened that she wrote six new kiirtans one afternoon. Though it was amazing and beautiful, it wasn't really something of the blue, it was a life long process of discovery, love and inspiration. You listen to the draft recording here on Didis facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/didi.anandaarpana/posts/3951546094968357
I am in quarantine right now in Auckland hotel, having travelled from Ireland to NZ recently. I am noticing the utmost seriousness of NZ workers in their treatment of people coming into the country. My attitude is to follow the system until this period of isolation is over and I can be free again. In this podcast I share some recent experiences in Ireland that I am grateful for and some connections between Waterford in Ireland and NZ. The song 'Earths Heart Calling' is from the Children's CD I did with Vistara School children in Lismore, Australia. The Photo is the view from my hotel room in Auckland.
Tonight we discussed and shared some songs that empowered and inspired us as women and there was a huge diversity of songs: one in Hebrew, two in Maori, one in Latin, one in Bengali, and in English. It was brilliant. In this podcast I share some stories and songs that I have read about in P.R.Sarkar's books. One about a great Tantric woman called Bhaeravii, one about mermaids and one about Lily and the Moon.
Thank you to everyone who shared their warm wishes on my birthday a few days ago, it means the world to me. I end with a Birthday song by P.R.Sarkar, no 132, one I adore. Photo is by Jiivan.
We have been recording and its been going well, but theres always more to learn in every new situation, so I have discovered. I end with a kiirtan from an album I made with children from Vistara school a few years ago, the album is called Earth's Heart Calling and is available from Vistara school in Lismore, Australia. Click here for more info: https://www.vistara.nsw.edu.au/
In this podcast I comment on what makes for a smooth recording experience! So the last four days have been intense, we have been recording tracks on twelve songs for the upcoming song album Unity Hours IV. With such great local musicians Jantien Vandenberg (wind and cello), Adam Rowat (Electric and double bass), Paul Mahony (drums and percussion) and Kavita Neumannova (khol drum and Percussion), we have successfully put down the core instruments on these songs. We also had the help of the Brendan Treacy who gave so much support in everything we needed outside of the recording studio and of course Martin our sound engineer helping things move along so nicely at Malbay Studios. I end with an uplifting kiirtan track from Unity Ours III.
A Most Uplifting Time was had at the Ananda Marga Yoga/Meditation retreat at Ananda Putta Bhumi in Poland a few days ago. About 150 people gathered from all over Europe, to have spiritual satsaung and to do collective kiirtan and meditation together after two years. In the evening we had devotional and cultural presentations and in this podcast I interview Yashoda from Lithuania who sang Sutartinės, ancient form of folk songs followed by Arpan Kumar singing a beautiful, poignant song in Gaelic.
In this podcast I share three unexpected but very poignant experiences touched me deeply: How a horse shared his feelings with me.. how I received a poem of Saskia's at the perfect time... and how my fields recordings of kiirtan team lifted my spirits...click here to see at 8min the Rupapaita kiirtan team at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHsQBgcV5Js
Tonight's podcast is a bit of a catch up on what happened over the weekend with the Kiirtan Academy's second session with Balalkrishna, the Sisters Prout Conference and also whats going to be happening over the next few weeks and months. Theres some exciting new recordings and exciting new courses coming up on Musical Theory, Harmonium, Leadership and Rarhi Kiirtan at the Kiirtan Academy. I end with last night's kiirtan from Dada Danaviira and Balakrishna. The last kiirtan is called 'Womens Rising Kiirtan' by me in honour of the Prout sisters. Check out the New Courses here: www.kiirtanacademy.com
If you love to listen to kiirtan while you are working or quietly when meditating to going through the night when sleeping, then you could listen to Avarta Kiirtan I II and II. With the help of Jayadiip these three albums have been collated and are now on You Tube. As I have said previously they are a fundraiser also so if you are able a donation would be appreciated as all profits go to three different children's social service projects, one in Haiti, one is Afrika and one in Ireland. Heres the YouTube link; https://youtu.be/ZjiP1Ltb5k8
Balakrishna shares with us his experience of the supra aesthetic science of kiirtan. He talks about folk songs from his indigenous Bete language, and how the symbolism relates very much to his relationship with the Unknown Traveller. He says that the blues come from slavery and how it expresses pain but that it is offered to the Highest Entity, and therefore there is also hope, and underlying that, there is joy. So beneath the pain there is also joy. I end with a kiirtan of mine from Avarta Kiirtan II album. Click below for more info https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
At the Kiirtan Academy on Friday night Balakrishna tells the story of how he overcame shyness against all odds. He plays kiirtan with incredible ideation that came about from his many miraculous experiences. I start the podcast with him singing kiirtan and end with Anandii singing kiirtan as Balakrishna jams with her. www.kiirtanacademy.com
Lani lead the Dance of the Rainbow session in honour of Saskia on Sunday for the local community in Mount Shannon. As so many of us have disassociated ourselves from our bodies in this technological world, Lani speaks of how creativity can be expressed through ritual movement and particular music can bring you in touch with different parts of your body, and much more. The kiirtan at the end, called Surrender Kiirtan from Avarta Kiirtan 1 that Saskia sang on, can be purchased here: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c You can find Lanis Book here: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Rainbow-Holistic-Well-Being-Movement/dp/1856355462
It's wonderful to speak to Anandii again as she shares her experiences with being part of the organising committee for the upcoming ProutSisters Retreat July 17 - 18 online. With three speakers from the Navdanya 'Conserving diversity and reclaiming commons' and others, its likely to be a brilliant event. Anandii ends with a beautiful kiirtan she recently composed. Find out more:https://proutsisters.com/
Nkhil Creates Art with the intention of Truth and Service - and his paintings are being Exhibited at La Galleria, Pall Mall until the 14th of July. In this podcast he speaks about integration, simplicity, truth, honesty, falling in love with art, dropping vibrational bombs and his very exciting journey as an artist. He ends with a wonderful kiirtan he wrote during LFT (Local Full time training), yoga lifestyle training. See more here: https://www.royalartsprize.com/?fbclid=IwAR1cQEIp-H1CRNwhYUvpwRzd2DpseRoBp8xPlvcmOvmQvnHaid_ypt8r_fI
Aaron stayed at the farm recently and helped us record the third Avarta Kiirtan album, singing and playing oud and gembri (African bass instrument) on it. He and Saskia sang the vocal harmonies. Then he embarked on a whole new phase in his life by going to work in Sicily as a volunteer in an inspiring social service project for teenagers. He is so inspired that he decided to stay there and work as an LFT (Local Full time volunteer in Ananda Marga) in September. Meanwhile he is also writing beautiful songs and kiirtans. Listen to one here.
Govinda's spiritual/social journey is fascinating - from being a vegetarian at an early age, an engineer, climber, diver, being at the forefront of various service projects, such as the purchase of the jagriti (yoga Centre), "Food For all" (Health food shop), and soup kitchens in London. He is also a practitioner of microvita meditation given personally by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. In this podcast Govinda here recalls the history of Ananda Marga in London region and ends with some beautiful spiritual stories. I end with playing a kiirtan recording of the late Divyamshu, which Govinda loves.
The RAWA Global events (beginning in May 2020 to the present) bring a feeling of connection, of friendship, that we are not alone anywhere in the universe, says Dadao. This inspiration is so much needed these days. He started with encouraging his friends to just use their phones on this FB platform to perform and share all forms of art, dance, music and drama, etc, online in a very supportive environment. The last concert included Carolina Wajnerman, singer/song writer from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I end with a short kiirtan that Dadao sang but due to sound issues I cut it short, and added a recording of his kiirtan, we recorded together on my Brazil album in 2011 .
Tonight I opened the book Light Comes' at some random page and it opened at page 158 and so I read the quote. It was perfect, so I shared it. At the end I sing one kiirtan from Unity Hours II, called 'The Letter kiirtan' available on all music media platforms.
Jiivan is always a joy to chat with, he really has a way with words, the gift of the gab you could say. So tonight we break some stereotypes people might have about Irish summer, then about how the first open Mic Kiirtan Night went, the new album coming up, the Covid situation in Ireland and much more. I end with the Irish Travelling Kiirtan, available on all music media and the collection at https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
Niitimayii works for Meditation Steps that is in Russian and English, a channel dedicated to revealing the essence of Yoga. She is passionate about Spreading Kiirtan all over the globe, and she is doing it! Listen her inspirational stories and kiirtan,
Didi Ananda Manika was in London from 2005 -the present day, when I was doing a PhD there. She is a very loving, humble and wise person with a very intimate relationship with Baba. We are inspired by her courage, caring nature and devotion in so many ways. In this podcast Didi shares her experiences as a child growing up in a Margii family during the Emergency when Baba was in jail. She also shares how she went for training to become a yogic nun at a very young age. The way she overcame so many challenges such as shyness, is deeply moving. I end with the song Tumi Kathay that we recorded together in London with the RAWA group around 2008.
What can anyone expect visiting the guru for the first time in India? No matter how high my expectations were, what I received exceeded anything I could have imagined. I had three transformational experiences, the last being, placing my first cassette, called Occen into Babas hands. I also want to welcome everyone to our first open Mic Kiirtan Nite on Saturday, at 8pm Irish time. I end by sharing a song from Occen called 'Weak for the Want of You' soon to be available on Spotify and presently available on Innersong.US
Listening to Kiirtan from Congo is awesome!. I first heard it on Online Kiirtan for the Universe FB page. The person behind all this is Ashok, a senior Margii, who writes Kiirtan and promotes it every day. I just found out that they often go to the villages ands record Baba Nam Kevalam kiirtan in traditional tunes and with local instruments. Ashok shares his unique perspective on the value of Kiirtan as well as other devotional gems. Theres also the RAWA group that has recorded over 20 albums. Listen here to one of his recordings from Congo.
The first two Unity Hours albums were written and recorded in London during my PhD years. Unity Hours III, was written and recorded in Aotearoa, NZ and the fourth or Unity Hours IV, will be recorded in Ireland, where I have been for the past three years or more. Tonight I talk a little about the songs in this upcoming album. I end with a demo of 'We are Not Alone"
The launch of Penelope Easten's new book titled The Alexander Technique - Twelve Fundamentals of Integrated Movement is a momentous occasion. It is also the most comprehensive book out there as well as a dream come true for Penelope. Yet it was not easy sailing, it is in fact, the result of a life times work of research, practice and experience in the Alexander Technique. I end the podcast with a gentle kiirtan called 'Gold from my 'Dancing Divinity' album available at www.innersong.com. Click below to find out more about Penelope's new book: https://www.handspringpublishing.com/product/the-alexander-technique/
Abdur was born in Mayanar and had to go to Bangladesh and now is in Ireland. Its been a long journey for him and here Abdur shares a little of his experience in Ireland. He ends by talking about the music he loves especially Lalan Giiti, songs that have a very significant message for him. I have recorded a bit of it here for you and am leaving a link to the song with English subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibQepZpG2ns
Nina is a language teacher and has been volunteering at the farm for about ten days. She talks about her background and her experience at the farm as well as her first experience of kiirtan. She ends by singing a lovely song.
Vinay Speaks about his experiences with Kiirtan, keeping the rhythm in your hands and how devotional associations with the kiirtan tunes has an uplifting effect. He gives the example of one of George Harrisons Kiirtans that he plays and sings the Baba Nam Kevalam mantra to. I end with my rendition of a kiirtan that he played, a golden oldie, from Australia or NZ in the 70s. Click below to join the Kiirtan Academy: https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
Vinay gives a condensed version of what is Performance Anxiety from a Gestalt Perspective with some examples from his own experience. He also talks about Space Bubbles, and the importance of growing your energetic presence in performance. Vinay shares some wonderful tips on how to create and expand it in performance. He ends with one of his favourite kiirtans. To check out the Kiirtan Academy click below: https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
Justine is the Director of St Ethelburgas, Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in London and an exceptional human being who lives her passion for the divine through dance, meditation and building bridges between people of different cultural backgrounds. Here Justine shares with insight and humour her own background, her experiences as a dancer, corporate banker and a Sufi - and how the ordinary and the ecstatic can come together. I end with a kiirtan called Ananda Sutram from the Dharmacakra album available through my website. www.jyoshnamusic.com. Find out more about Justines' work at St Ethelburgas at: www.https://stethelburgas.org/
Satya is an Engineer and lifelong Yogi, who was previously working in the Military but now in Leadership Coaching roles. With her skills and knowledge she works with people to help them overcome fears and in this way to discover and fulfil their highest purpose in life. She gives some practical examples of her work and also shares some kiirtan experiences especially in Heart Circles, a process instigated by the late Dada Pranakrishna from the USA. This podcast ends with a Kiirtan by Satya called 'Heart Drop Within'.
Didi gives some Meditation techniques that Bring out the Best in You and Create Opportunities For Release of Grief, Fostering Growth and Expansion. I end with the Kiirtan "If I would swim the Ocean kiirtan" from Avarta Kiirtan III that Saskia sang on. Click Below for More information. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
The shraddha ceremony (Yogic Funeral) was performed at Sunrise Farm on Sunday, led by Didi Ananda Prama, with about 50 people participating. Jiivan and I discuss this and he shares his understanding of Saskias passing. The podcast ends with a song or Blessing that Peneleapai sang. Click below to hear the kiirtan that Saskia liked very much called Children's Kiirtan March starts at 19:20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtzdQFAW6ac&t=3087ss
Mount Shannon Arts has dedicated this very significant festival to Saskia Byrne as she was a great supporter of the festival, and an artist, singer and dancer herself. This is the 25th anniversary of the the Mount Shannon Arts Festival and it's full of diverse, colourful, and inspiring events. A groups of us are singing there tomorrow by the lake, Check it out at www.mountshannonarts.ie. `
Tonight I reflect on a few blissful experiences singing with Saskia - We did three collaborative musical projects together in s group, over five years. The profits from each album go to different social service projects around the globe for children. Click here to see more about these kiirtan projects: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
Saskia Byrne was a beacon of light in so many peoples lives. Last night so many members of her local cmmunity came together at Adrainas house to honour her and share our love and experiences with her. Tonight a few of us also share our experiences with her, how she forged deep meaningful connections with people and between people. She was a lovely, welcoming person who inspired others through her warmth, kindness, her singing, art and other wonderful qualities. Some of John O'Donohue's poems were read and a few chants were sung: 'Tiny Green Island', 'Ami Tomake Bhalo Basi Baba' (I love you most beloved) and 'Ocean of my dreams'. Our love and support go out to her family, Jano, Tarka, Mum and Afrika at this painful time. We feel so much love and gratitude for the gifts she brought to all of us.
What a celebration of beauty and diversity from all around the globe this RAWA concert shares, just like the previous ones. Tonight I share our contribution. Check it out on FB and You Tube.
From my Understanding there are Five Primary Ways Baba has contributed to Kiirtan.. including Kiirtan dance or Laliita Marmika created by Parvati.. Then I sing the most popular Birthday song in Prabhat Samgiit no 135. If you want the musical notation just email me at jyoshna@jyoshnamusic.com.
Tonight I sing Janama Lagane, A Birthday song, less well known, but divine nevertheless. Do you want the musical scores of Janama Lagane (134), Janma Dine (135) and Tumi Jakhan Esechile (903)? I have transcribed these three songs from recordings by Dada Priyashivananda's recordings and had them checked by Madhumita in NZ with the Bengali notation. They are transcribed in western notation with guitar chords as close to the original as possible. So if you would like a copy just email me at: jyoshna@jyoshnamusic.com. Thanks.
Today is a momentous occasion, one that will not repeat on this earth, the celebration of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijis 100th Birthday. We are all overjoyed and singing kiirtan all over the planet, online and live. The Kiirtan Academy's gift to Baba was a collaborative video called Babas 100th Birthday Kiirtan which is on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYEAiu48Yyk&lc=UgwhBtCPP2YRtO-Biph4AaABAg
Anchal came from a Hindu family in India, and Pauls family are also from India, but he was born in the UK. Anchal and Paul's stories about how they both came to the spiritual path are fascinating, inspiring and informative I end with a song from Prabhat Samgiita called 'Pita Mata Bandhu Sakha', by Anjali and myself.
The Embodiment of Bliss documentary brought back some very poignant reminders of how it was for me, being with Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji (Baba) over 15 years on this planet. It also made me remember what it took to get to where we are today. I end with the song 'Light House on the Cliff' from 'Reign of Love' album.
From Famous Rock Star to Disillusionment to Kiirtaniya - Vasudeva is a true devotee and inspiration to all of us. Tonight he shares some amazing Baba stories and kiirtan experiences with us.
'When Will I' is a song off 'Longing', and was inspired by the Children's Nursery Rhyme 'Babes in the Woods'. Then I sing the 'Spring' song or Vasanteri Agamane by P.R.Sarkar and relish in the meaningful images of nature reflecting different nuances of devotional love. The image below is a rare and beautiful "Babes in Wood" 1890s edition (found at The Baldwin Library).
I am inspired to ponder the idea of spiritual ecology today and am singing a few original songs from the album 'Longing' that come to mind such as 'Never Doubt You' aka 'Kennedys Bay' and 'Do I Exist' aka 'Is there Moonlight Without Sunshine'
Jenny is new to Sunrise Farm but she is truly at one with the flow of the Irish landscape. Tonight Jenny speaks about some amazing spiritual ecology projects that she has initiated, such as a Seasonal Nature Wheel and Grief Circles. Check them out at www.primitivkollektiv.org and www.atreecalledlife.net. I end with a song from an early album Magnificence, called 'Pillars of Faith.
In this interview we hear how Lydia, who is a trained Teacher from Spain, came and set up Sunrise Kindy. She talks about how the children need the safety and freedom to develop their imagination. Lydia describes the beautiful natural surroundings at Sunrise and different activities she creates for them to explore and express themselves. Lastly she talks about how the profits from Avarta Kiirtan III can aid Sunrise by providing the much needed materials and resources for the new extension and playground. I end with a song by children at Vistara School in Lismore from the album Earths Heart Calling. To purchase the Avarat Kiirtan Collection click here: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
Tonight Dada Gunamuktanandaji speaks about the process of making the film of Babas life, the exhibition as well as the Puja Table Book that goes with it. For Dada and others of the P.R.Sarkar Institute its being four years of blissful and at times challenging work. Everyone is excited to see the new release on the 23rd, 26th and 30th May. Registration for the screenings is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embodiment-of-bliss-tickets-150313536835
The profits from Avarta Kiirtan II is contributing towards fighting malnutrition in Kenya by providing nutritious spirulina, a 'superfood' for children. It has so much protein and is excellent for boosting the immune system and increasing energy levels. By purchasing the Collection you are helping them to recover from disease and malnutrition. Click below to check it out, thank you:https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c.
All profits from Avarta Kiirtan I album go to help the children at the Children's home in Haiti. Its a miracle to hear about how the children's lives have been transformed by love, music, nutritious food and spirituality. They have come from very challenging backgrounds and circumstances and still have the feeling to look after each other as a family and to feel compassion for others.
The Launch of Avarta Kiirtan Collection is Today and its also the Birthday of Michael Lloyd, a dear friend and producer of many of my music albums. He mixed the latest Avarta Kiirtan III as well. As I have said before, when you buy this Kiirtan collection you are supporting three really amazing social service projects locally and globally. Truly a joyful day and something to celebrate. To check out the New Avarta Kiirtan Collection and the service projects it supports, click below. Thank you. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagef4j7tl4c
The Avarta Kiirtan Collection of three albums is due to be launched any day- and the beautiful thing is that each sale goes towards three different service Projects - The Children's Home in Haiti, The Spirulina Project in West Africa and the Sunrise Kindy at Ananda Bharatii in County Clare.
Is this subject close to the bone for you? as Being Vegan becomes more and more Prevalent Worldwide. Dave Sheahan has 25 years experience working with people of diverse backgrounds to realise their full potential in terms of health, fitness, diet, sleep, etc.
For those of you who would have liked to have been with us but couldnt, here is the recording of Tinku's shraddha ceremony, lead by Didi Anandaprama. The shraddha ceremony starts at 30 mins. At first there is with kiirtan, then samgaccadvam (Vedas) then meditation (cut out), then Guru Puja followed by the shraddha ceremony. Then there was time for sharing, first by me, then Shivanii and finally Didi Anandaprama ending with kiirtan. Present in the room were: Lydia, Rama Deva, Kavita, Isabel (for a short time), Brigunath, Didi Anandaprama and me. Shivanii Cameron was with us online from Australia.
In this podcast I am honouring my dear friend Sanjay Kumar Mahato (Tinku). It is a great loss to his family, friends, village, and the world. Below is the link to Tinkus Shraddha Ceremony on Sunday the 2nd May at 6.30 Irish time. All welcome!
https://zoom.us/j/91725757880?pwd=UFlmenZ3d01mZEsxc05kc2gvSWdHdz09
Meeting ID: 917 2575 7880. Passcode: 446484. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ab2gSe3xAd
Unity in Diversity - Being with Tinku, one can really grow in understanding of cultural diversity. Such amazing opportunities are priceless. The Zoom link for Tinkus shraddha (funeral) ceremony online is at 6.30 Irish time. Here it is below:
https://zoom.us/j/91725757880?pwd=UFlmenZ3d01mZEsxc05kc2gvSWdHdz09
Shivanii is a wonderful film maker and devotee and today she's sharing some incredible stories particularly about the disadvantaged people of Purulia and how she and Tinku were able to help them. Heres the zoom link for Tinku's Shraddha Ceremony or Funeral tomorrow night 6.30 pm Irish time. Time: May 2, 2021 06:30 PM Dublin https://zoom.us/j/91725757880?pwd=UFlmenZ3d01mZEsxc05kc2gvSWdHdz09
Tonight Madhumita and I talk about our experiences with Tinku, about his knowledge of Rarh, his kindness, broadmindedness and his love of his people and culture. She ends with a beautiful kiirtan of her own. Heres the zoom link to come to Tinku's Shraddha (Ananda Marga Funeral) Ceremony on Sunday night 6.30 pm Irish time. Everyone welcome! https://zoom.us/j/91725757880?pwd=UFlmenZ3d01mZEsxc05kc2gvSWdHdz09
I am sharing the beginnings of a song about friendship and what it means to me. As I have said, for me Tinku's expression of friendship was truly divine....I follow you and you follow me...
In this podcast Jiivan and I chat about his experiences that prompted feelings of gratitude and about our service projects that have inspired us to create new kiirtan albums. I end with the kiirtan that Jiivan mentioned called 'On the Way to Meetas' on Avarta Kiirtan II.
Gaotamii's new book is called My Little Trail of Crumbs to the Lotus Feet of the Lord.. The Beloved's Beloved. Gaotamii left this world recently and her husband Viveka, sent me this beautiful book. I remember her as someone who was a great inspiration to me and many others with her deep and unswerving devotion. She was also a very kind, honest and welcoming person. I will never forget her devotional zeal and her warm hospitality and her stories reflect that, they are a timeless treasure of a true devotee. I end with a kiirtan from my album Rarhi Dreams, called Moonlight Kiirtan.
This is Podcast no 265, and the first of the last 100 Podcasts, that I am counting down till I finish 100 days from now! I am relieved and excited. In this podcast Christina talks about the Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian Modes, demonstrating each one on the harp and giving the associative emotional and physical responses from her experience and research. This is priceless knowledge, and very applicable to the practice of kiirtan where we can devise a way to choose a particular tune to fit a certain situation and mood.
Heres a short and inspiring except from Christina Tourin's Presentation on Emotion and Modes at the Kiirtan Academy on Friday night. It was incredible, both for its content and its music. Here Christina gives an introduction to modes and demonstrates them on her beautiful harp.
Christina Tourin is someone I greatly admire as she is a woman who is living her dreams, sharing her knowledge, experience, research and her beautiful music. Over the past 28 years she has built up the International Harp Therapy programme that serves people in every continent of the world. Tonight I talk briefly about her amazing, informative and inspirational presentation at the Kiirtan Academy Monthly Satsaung session.
Tonight I speak a little about the books I have here for my three year old daughter from the library and how they reflect the inequality of gender roles in our society. Why is it that way? Having so few female characters in children's books who go on exciting mysterious adventures, that are strong leaders and have high aspirations is an indication of why women in society feel like minorities, and are still treated like second hand citizens. Not only girls need to see role models as leaders but boys too so that we can learn to work together. A bird cannot fly on one wing, so lets support girls empowerment.. its much more fun and progressive.
Shivanii is a very inspiring woman from South Africa now living in Australia. Today she shares some insights into her Indian background, and how to overcome dogma and judgement. She also shares her inspiration gained at the Kiirtan Course about how to include kiirtan in her Women's 8 Step Empowerment Programme. She ends with a kiirtan improvisation with a Middle eastern flavour.
Thanks to all the participants of the Third Kiirtan Academy Course for a wonderful evening of music and satsaung. Here I share briefly what happened on the last night and how each member contributed. At the end I share a kiirtan from the soon to be released Avarta Kiirtan III album. bnk
I talk briefly about all the children's books (for ages 3- 5) that I have gathered together from the library to read to Isabel. I am amazed how approx. 90 percent of these children's books have males as the main characters. This made me reflect on how this might impact on us as young girls and later as women, leading to feeling that we are a minority in society when in reality we are 50 percent or thereabouts in society. This is the 21st century and gender equality is still not reflected in our toddlers books.
Maetreyii says she has little musical experience but still she is creating kiirtan videos on You Tube to share with others her beautiful kiirtans. Listen here to Maetreyii and Anandii's enchanting sounds. Their You Tube Channel is at: https://youtu.be/46orw4iY-sk
I didn't know what to say tonight so I picked a booklet called "Light Comes" by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti and opened it up at this page and read it out. It's one fo the most optimistic, hopeful, quotations I have ever read and I want to share it with you.I end with an old bhajan I wrote years ago and a kiirtan.
I talk briefly about the gratitude I feel for each and everyone who has contributed to the Kiirtan Academy so far. I touch on what are some of the topics that we have covered and hows it all going? I end with 'Consciousness Kiirtan'
Didi gives some delicious recipes tonight for a healthy Easter egg treat for your children PlUS a delicious Vegan Burger recipe that is so tasty and is good for you!
I love being co-mother to Isabel, its amazing, its taught me so much about love, but It hasn't all been plain sailing. Tonight I talk about a few things Ive learnt over these past three years. I end with a song with lyrics by my mother Toni La Trobe. Check out the Kiirtan Course here: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagebfstu4s8
Tonight I share a couple fo excerpts of African Kiirtan from 'Online Kiirtan for The Universe' on FB - I love the sound of these two kiirtaniyas. Touhouri Bailley is from the Ivory Coast originally and has an amazing blues voice and guitar style. Eustache Otielli is from the Congo and has an incredible finger picking style and the vocal harmonies are wonderful! Listen here..
Brahmanii speaks about kiirtan as the most brilliant way to get into your most joyful, soulful side. She speaks abut her experience of kiirtan as something into which you can be absorbed, where all sense of judgement falls away so then the "kirtan plays me", not the other way around. Listen to her play violin on the recording of Women Rising Kiirtan.
Vinay has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with us, having practiced Ananda Marga kiirtan and meditation as well as Gestalt therapy well over 40 years. One of the questions I ask him is about how to deal with a common issues among performers and thats, performance anxiety. He makes some very compassionate and practical suggestions. Vinay will be giving a session at the Kiirtan academy Monthly sessions in June. Listen to his enlightening interview here.
Kamala shares with us her experiences doing Kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiit for Baba. She also talks about Collective Kiirtan at the Mela and how shifted the energy to an incredibly high vibration, where many healings occurred. Another thought provoking topic, related to recent events and Covid was about social discipline and how to see the bigger picture so that a country or region can stay safe, and have a sense of being united.
I ask the question because you may not have thought about it. I discuss some of the topics that we are going to share with you, our experiences and what you can expect from the Course. As its out third, its also the last of its kind, so would encourage you to just jump in. This Course will give you plenty of food for thought and experiences that you desire in order to really improve and expand your knowledge of kiirtan.
Its so fascinating to study the structure of Rarhi kiirtan (North east India) as it provides a model for anyone who want to adapt a devotional song to kiirtan. They take a devotional song and adapt it to their kiirtans using the traditional rhythms for example. To keep the original melody as well as the rhythms of the songs intact while adapting it to the kiirtan is very important I feel. But theres also scope for improvisation, elaboration and embellishment of the original melody in the kiirtan. I am at the very beginning stages adapting Prabhat Samgiit songs to Kiirtan but its very exciting, and I feel so blessed to have studied Rarhi Kiirtan as its so helpful. I end by singing Vasanteria agamane kiirtan. Check out the kiirtan academy Online Course on April 5th till 11th. Click here: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagebfstu4s8
Tinku has been a great support and inspiration to me over the years. He's the head man of his village, a very warm, generous person, with a great rapport with others. We unravelled the secret supra aesthetics science of Rarhi Kiirtan together, step by step over the years. Through endless hours of observations, interviews, and learning with the masters we enjoyed each others company. Working with him was one of the best collaborative experiences of my life. We also talk about the social service projects he is doing there including supporting those who have had leprosy, living in an ashram near his village. At the end I play a Baul song, from a concert Tinku sent me recently.
After a Transcendental Experience on Mayor Island, Viirabhadra was catapulted into a new way of Being- a Powerful feeling of Sacredness, Respect and Love for Nature, opening up doors of the mind to receive knowledge in different ways and to communicate with all of life. Click here to listen to his music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y06pMHe-w88
Mudita talks about the recent rape case in Australian Parliament, not just one incident either. According to news accounts, Australian parliamentary culture has a history of bullying women, just think of Julia Gillard for example. People are out in the streets protesting, saying.. Enough is Enough.. Mudita connects that with her own experiences of sexual abuse in the army. She then talks about the healing work that she does with women, healing the inner child with love and toning, a system of sounding musical tones.. that results in shifts of attention, awareness, and consciousness.
Part I- Viirabhadra was lead to Aotearoa to revive sacred knowledge of plants and animals of this native land. He started his work teaching Yoga, became a Homeopath and then embarked on this even more subtle creative journey. His art and music reflect his deep love, respect and intuitive understanding of many of its inherent healing qualities. Click the link below to listen to his beautiful music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZ3dFYeKeU
The Ten Don'ts of Kiirtan are a reminder of things that we DO want in Kiirtan, like an ecstatic flow, spiritual ideation, continuous harmonious sound, and sublime melodies. Listen here and send your voice message. I end with the Kiirtan called 'Finally' from the album Era Dynamic available on my website www.jyoshna@jyoshnamusic.com
Liilavati is sharing her life experiences and wisdom on this day before her birthday. Having had an amazing life amongst the stars, she also speaks about the hard times as well. Having suffered from depression she says "kiirtan just lifts me.... we do have to have those conversations about the hard stuff" and being a meditator she says, "We have to have something that we can turn to" and there are many more jewels in this podcast.....I end with a song I wrote called Lily and the Moon recorded in the 90's, with lyrics that reflect Liilavati's words.
240-241/365 The live launch of "Avarta Kiirtan III" has been a long time coming. But last night we pulled it off giving all of our hearts, minds and soul's into it. We were six musicians, one videographer, one sound man, one baby sitter, one speaker, two as our audience and everyone working together to make it happen. The online audience was from all over the globe, and much support was received for our new educational projects at Sunrise. Thank you very much for all your very generous donations. The names of the Kiirtans in order are: 1. Kiirtan from a Dream. 2. If I Would Swim the Ocean Kiirtan. 3. She Ain't Heavy Kiirtan. 4. Vaasanteri Agamane Kiirtan. 5. I love you Baba Kiirtan. 6 Neko Kiirtan. 7.Kiirtan for Meditation - Glorious Kiirtan.
Heres a very brief recap of our Kiirtan Academy session last night, making kiirtan from some diviine Prabhat Samgiit songs. And remember to come to our the Online Kiirtan Concert tomorrow night! all welcome! Click below for the link on my facebook event page. https://www.facebook.com/events/129911842381925
Kiirtan is a subtle science and there's a depth of musical thought, intuition and science that goes into creating a successful sequence. This is something we are doing now as we prepare for the Kiirtan concert on Saturday and the launch of Avarta Kiirtan III at Sunrise. I hope you get something out of this podcast and come to join us on Saturday.
This Saturday Night, we are having a Kiirtan Concert and live album launch for our new educational service projects at Sunrise. We are all getting involved to make this happen. We would love your support and your participation. In this podcast Aaron speaks about his musical instruments and we play a kiirtan that is included in the new kiirtan album. All welcome!
Aaron is nearby Sunrise Farm, Ireland yet his musical passions are far from local. He plays the Middle eastern Oud and African Bembri, as well as guitar. He also shares a love of kiirtan and tells of his experience when, one day, like the flick of a switch he could feel so much bliss. This also transformed his performance of the other music he plays such as Somali songs on his You Tube Channel. Click below to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu8bocuiMwmya_c-VWothuQ
Inga is a brilliant classically trained violinist, yet in her free time she listens only to Kiirtan. She talks about her musical background, her tough musical training and her innovative approach to violin in the entertainment industry. During lockdown she has set up her own studio for live streaming as well her own academy called Strings Academy Online. She gains inspiration from her favourite Kiirtan artists. I end with a track from Avarta Kiirtan II where she plays violin. You can find out more about her work at: https://strings-academy-online.business.site/ and FB @ingamarcel. Her Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ingamarcel/videos
How many times have you been saved by your HP? Personally I can't remember how many. Thats my point. Most of us don't remember often enough to connect with our HP. But when we do, its magical how it works in creating joy in our lives.
Mignon Mukti is from South Africa. Her life and songs have been about the struggle of all people's to gain equality. But this album is about bringing people together to experience kindness and unity. Check out this beautiful album on Bandcamp and spotify. https://mignonmukti.bandcamp.com/
Kiirtan aesthetics is something I never really thought about till I went to Rarh... thats where I learnt so much about this fascinating topic.
Liilamaya shares his extensive knowledge of herbs and the social and health benefits of alcohol free cocktails. He shares some innovative and delicious non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, such as Cosmopolitan (Cosmo), Margarita (Marga Sita), Pina Colada, and Momet- Um- Tea to stimulate our appetites. I then end with a kiirtan he requested called 'Children's Kiirtan March' from my 'Live in Brasil' album.
Anjali is a brilliant singer/songwriter from the US. We have been friends for many years and collaborators since 2005. Here I answer Anjali's questions about my background, music and what inspired me to instigate the kiirtan Academy. I end with a recording of 'Snow Leopard' as its one song that she quotes from.
Balakrishna is from the Bete tribe in Ivory Coast, a place that is renowned for its music-.culture. He infuses his kiirtan with his musical roots and his unique relationship with his guru. This interview is full of gems - he talks about having a conversation with the Beloved in kiirtan. The wisdom he shares is priceless. He ends with a beautiful kiirtan with a soulful blues feel to it.
Delicious to eat, simple to make and healthy for our bodies, what more could you want in a birthday meal.? It was Didi's birthday today so everyone contributed something to the meal including good vibes. Maetrii and Ramadevas recipe was both creative and traditional, so I asked them to share it with you. Here Metrii gives us the recipe. I end with a kiirtan that I feel goes with what Maetri said about food and love... Sweet Longing Kiirtan from Unity Hours III. To check it out click below.https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
Tonight Didi talks about three wonderful recipes using Chick Pea Flour as the main ingredient. They are simple and fast to make yet very tasty and nutritious. I end with her favourite kiirtan called Kiirtan for Dad.
on Saturday I could really feel the effects of ekadashi, I was feeling quite down, and it wasn't until I went to the Kiirtan Academy and had some beautiful satsaung and kiirtan that I noticed that those feelings ahd completely gone. The Net Course is on March 15th so if you feel that your kiirtan isnt what you want it to be, then come and enjoy this transformational experience. I end with a devotional song called The First Time. To find out more about the Kiirtan academy course check this out: https://youtu.be/tVhSKBTeuCk
Our musical session at the farm yesterday was a real expression of diversity in musical collaboration or diversity in unity. Listen here to the kiirtan we came up with, to create a joyful and loving atmosphere.
Up until just three years ago, after spending time as a gardener, an artist, singer in choirs, and yoga instructor, Latika found her self pouring out beautiful kiirtans. Listen to her tell her story. She ends with a gorgeous kiirtan that she wrote.
During COVID Acarya Chirainjivii has "no time to bake bread" as he's in the medical profession yet he still takes the time to nurture his, and others, spiritual and musical growth doing Kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita. He ends with singing a beautiful kiirtan by Bhagavan Das and himself.
Dada Danaviira is from the Phillippines and his love of kiirtan makes it a joy to listen to. His rock and reggae guitar influences mixed with his own style and plenty of devotion make his kiirtan very danceable and rich. Here we are talking about his musical background, his service programmes and his wonderful Baba dreams. He ends with a song and kiirtan that he wrote after his Baba dream.
Jiivan and I discuss what its like to see new buds springing up after a long cold winter, the joy of it all. We share a love of music and we discuss the new music video on Youtube of the Unity Hours II double album launch in December as well as the new Kiirtan Academy Course coming up on March 15th and much more. Check out the new Kiirtan Academy Course click this link: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagebfstu4s8 .To purchase "Unity Hours III" double albums at a great discount click this link: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj . For the Youtube music video click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEf2irqrN8I&t=959s
Emere McDonald and dedicated groups of people from Auckland, are serving the hungry every Sunday by collecting fruit and vegies kindly donated by the stall holders at Avondale market, for more than six years. They then distribute it to those who need it around Auckland. This project is lead by Dada Vimaleshvarananda or Dada V as he is called, some very committed Ananda Margiis and people in the community who go every Sunday afternoon to participate in the service project. I end with a recording of Tiny Green Island in Irish and English.
This is the day that Shrii P.R.Sarkar was poisoned in 1973 by the jail doctor. After more than 5 years of fasting in protest of his poisoning he came out of jail victorious. He stopped fasting only after all charges were dropped and he could again resume his missionary work. He had been imprisoned on false charges by Indhira Gandhi, during emergency rule. Today we celebrate by feeding hungry people, replacing the poison by giving nutritious food to others in need.
When Vimukti tells us about her last few days, how lovely its been and how terrible, you realise just how vulnerable animal lives are. Ultimately its about the survival and ecological balance of our planet- and its mostly down to human beings to change that. The department of Ananda Marga called PCAPL plays a huge part in her life (Prevention of Cruelty To Animals and Plants (managed by women)) Listen here to Vimukti's stories. for info about the Kiirtan Academy click the link below, thanks https://jyoshnaad5185-app.clickfunnels.com/pages/45844740/editor_v2?optin=true
As part of the Kiirtan Academy meetings I like to include some current research. Today I was fortunate enough to look into various sacred song, drum and dance traditions around the world, such as New Zealand Maori and Qwwalli music as well as Rarhi Kiirtan. I end with a song 'If not for You' written on Sunrise Farm a few years ago. Click on the link below to see Rarhi Kiirtan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TPdZOCa_4E&t=1033s
Lydia gives us more amazing recipes for very delicious vegan, gluten free dishes - Sweet and Savoury Tofu and Banofee Pie. I end with a Baba Nam Kevalam kiirtan called 'I want to Leave the Past Behind' from the album Crimson Dawn, sung by Tapasii and I and distributed on Innersong.us.
Whats the difference between a love and a devotional song? I give examples from various songs I have written and end with the love/devotional song 'When Will I, from the album 'Longing'
In this second part Dadaji talks more about the feminine perspective in Prabhat Samgiit as expressed through the nouns P. R. Sarkar uses to symbolise devotional expression, for example through the word balaka (see sculpture). He gives a very meaningful Baba story to illustrate this point. He says that the expression of love is everywhere in these songs - in fact its inescapable, so if you really want to learn about love, go to Prabhat Samgiit. I end with Dada Priyashivananda's recording of song no 9 Andharer Sei Hatasha.The photo is of the Balaka Chattar in Bangladesh courtesy of Wikipedia.
At the Launch of Episode 14 'At the Threshold of a New Era' Dadaji is here talking about how he felt the necessity to translate Prabhat Samgiit songs into English and their lyrical and melodic depth, richness and diversity. He also talks about a song written on Sur Das (a poet from the Agra Kiirtan gharana) and songs written from a feminine perspective in Prabhat Samgiit. I end this part with a Prabhat Samgiit sung by Prahla'd Nassim and I, called 'Dont you Know Lord How much I love you', or Tomay kata bhalo basi (no 221).
For Ini, Playing Music was Firstly an Unconscious Mechanism of Survival - That Developed Into a Life Long Love of Song, Affirmations and Mantra. In this podcast Ini tells us more about her background and keep us up to date with her original Musical that is going to be staged in Sept this year. Ini then sings us her beautiful 'Earth Mother' chant. I end with a song and kiirtan called 'When Will I' from my album 'Longing' recorded in Sydney many years ago with Ini singing deep resonant harmonies. You can find Ini on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ineke.veerkamp.
Clare Boland has been a social Worker most of her adult life. Here she shares some of her experiences, strengths and realisations on how to deal with some very difficult situations in life. These gems will inspire you deeply. She ends by singing with her husband Tom Boland called "You are higher than the Mountain Peaks, a kiirtan by Vimal.
Didi's wish is that everyone shall be free from hunger, especially on this very special day in Ireland. Didi loves to feed people and in this podcast she shares some of her amazing experiences with the children at the Ananda Marga Children's Home in Haiti. She also talks about the Spirulina Project in West Africa that feeds hundreds of malnourished children every day. Theres a short but beautiful kiirtan by the children in the Home before I end with 'Women's Rising Kiirtan' on this auspicious day.
Sometimes its goals that seem most important, but then an inner transformation can take place that changes your mind. This is what I pondered after watching the Nepali movie 'Karma', with Tsering Dolkar, Mithila Sharma and Jampa Kalsang. I end with a song called 'My Release'
Didiji went from renovating the jagriti, to weeding the garden, to planting spring bulbs, then to planting 1000s of plants (each tagged mind you) in Babas flower garden, full of rare plant species native to Croatia, that now attract so many pollinators, butterflies, bees as well as birds and insects.. She has created not just an amazing garden (and complete natural food chain) but a Garden of Love and Life. To donate to Babas garden click on the link below. below. https://www.facebook.com/didi.anandaarpana
Dadaji talks about the Feeling Gratitude for the Real Human Experience of Being So Close to Birth and Death every day and working together with such wonderful people. He also talks about his musical 'food' that creates empathy and understanding between people, opening up ways of respecting other people's different cultural expressions. To find out more click the link below: try this https://www.facebook.com/AMURT-West-Africa-225669570895951
Radha shares many beautiful stories and fascinating experiences, both as a devotee, and a homeopath in India, Ghana and elsewhere. She shares her knowledge, experiences and deep insights into the present situation. I was also delighted when she gave some remedies for musicians too. I end with a new kiirtan that I plan to record soon. To find out more about Radhas' homeopathic projects in Ghana please click on the link below. Thankyou. Ghana Homeopathy Project - www.ghanahomeopathyproject.org
Tonight Dada Abhidevananda Avadhuta talks about many fascinating topics: the meaning of 'Avadhuta'; his film 'At the Threshold of a New Era'; learning Bengali language through translating Prabhat Samgiit; and uncovering the devotional female perspective in these songs. He also shares some amazing Baba stories. I end with the song 'Manus Sabai Apan', (PS no. 1090) 'Everyone is Family' a neo humanism song, included in Episode 13 of his film. Click below to see Episode 13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ft4l4SnxY0
Dr. Brigunath gives an extensive list of his favourite songs from the 60's and 70's which I shall post on my Fb page. I end with the song Tiny Green Island by P.R.Sarkar.
Tonight I talk briefly about a kiirtan I wrote n the 70s' and how young players are discovering it and giving it new life, while for some of us, it represents a time in our lives long ago. Yet some of us who have been on the spiritual path for a long time are also discovering new things about ourselves and the world. I see us all as being on the same path, just at different points.
Tonight I speak with Madhumita, musician and naturopath, about homeoprophylaxis, something that many of us have not heard of. She speaks about the fascinating work done with homeoprophylaxis in Cuba and Brazil. To read more about this research click on the link: https://youtu.be/oyPvftE7Xh8. I end with a kiirtan that the Kiirtan Academy members are collaborating on. I call it January winter Kiirtan, as it came to me a few days ago on a cold January morning.
Kavita talks about the beauty and complexity of the Rarhi (North east India) khol drum tradition and its spiritual significance for the Rarhi drummer. She also talks about the role of women in Rarhi kiirtan and how she was inspired to perform. She ends by playing and saying the bols of the first ever khol pattern that she learnt.
The theme of todays podcast, is the three 'C's. Collaboration in a musical sense, connection in a very sacred sense and choice in a health sense. I end I sing the Wedding kiirtan that I played at Anandii and Aloka Devas wedding last night. Congratulations my dears! May you have many happy years together.
Tonights Kiirtan Academy Session was all about the Kiirtan rhythms -With the khol drum patterns demonstrated by Kavita and cymbals patterns by Latika. I end with a track called 'Going Out Theme' from the Film 'Stars in Her Eyes' produced by Athina Tsoulis, where the traditional khol bols have been adapted to western music. The Photo is of my kiirtan teacher, Sri Jagaranda Master Khol Player, Purulia, India
Tonight I interview Didi Ananda Acira, who is one of the guiding forces behind 'Online Kiirtan for the Universe' that has been connecting kiirtan players and appreciators all over the globe for over a year. I just want to show my appreciation for the service you have done for all of us who have gained so much connection, support and inspiration from this online kiirtan platform, I end with the song called 'miracle of my life'.
Dada Abhidevananda and team have published episode 13 of 'On the Threshold of a New Era', P.R.Sarkars life and work. Its available on You Tube - This episode focuses on Neo Humanism, love and respect for all beings, acknowledging the Oneness of Creation. Then I talk about the first 2021 Kiirtan Academy this Friday. Its going to be exciting as we explore the khol drum, cymbals and singing, how they interact and collaborate with each other to create a rich textured sound in kiirtan. Click the links below to see Episode 13. https://youtu.be/_ft4l4SnxY0
Tonight Didi Ananda Prama speaks about attracting what we want into our lives with the power of our positive thought and avoiding the opposite. She also shares her goals for this year, something very special to celebrate the 100th anniversary of P. R. Sarkar's birth.
A few friends at Sunrise were happy to share their goals for this year.. Listen to Jayadiip, Lidia, Ramadeva, Didi Ananda Prama and Kavita share their thoughts, I end with a couple of kiirtans from Sounds of Silence.
Prakash speaks of the connection between kiirtan, movement and community, about the work in overcoming economic disparities, inferiority, superiority complexes, self interest, etc, in creating a casteless/racist free society. Prakash also emphasises the fact that kiirtan can express all kinds of emotions, including grief and joy. It provides a direct link with the divine when travelling between one life changing experience and another.
Part I- The Cosmic Dancer Nataraj, captured Prakash when he was young, placed him on the spiritual path and never let go!. Thats the impression I get when talking to Prakash today about his creative spiritual journey through life. He continues to dance, DJ and inspire others even though he has been through a life threatening car accident, helped raise a family of 5 girls and worked on establishing Prout throughout his life. I end with a Kiirtan from Unity Hours III. Click below to check it out: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
Here I give a Brief Review of the goals I set for 2020 .. the ones I fulfilled and the others? well, they were so unrealistic especially in the circumstances. Though I didn't do 8 of 13 goals I set for 2020.. :) I did achieve others that I didn't know about at the time. This year was so very different to anything one could expect or have experienced before. I end with a kiirtan that just came to me tonight..I call it microvita kiirtan.:)
Sonali Bhor is my favourite song of the new year. Composed by P.R.Sarkar in November of 1982, it is an early song (130) but so beautiful one that I return to again and again. Its very personal message rings true no matter who is singing it.
Listen to this enlightening interview with Dr. Sucharit Khatyal on his enchanting experiences and insights into the power and beauty of micovita in Prabhat Samgiit. - The transformative songs by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. He ends with a performance of song no # 3654.
Listen to Jiivan recount some wonderful stories about his mother in his new booklet called 'Are you there Nan?' .. about being of service to others and many other gems. I end with Children's Kiirtan March, a joyful kiirtan for the coming of the new year.
The Reflections Begin during the week between Xmas and New Year... Tonight I begin the process of reviewing my year, one that I could never have imagined. I end with a song by Prabhat Ranjain Sarkar, 'Who Else Will' (Jhirna Vishirna) song no 3714 of Prabhat Samgiit. Click Below to see on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hWDRbafeo
Heres an interview I had with Dr Richard Gauthier who gave an enlightening presentation at the Neo Humanist Conference a few weeks ago. I asked him to come and speak to all of us about his brilliant research on Microvita. Click here for the links to his writings: https://richardgauthier.academia.edu/research and https://santarosa.academia.edu/RichardGauthier from which all articles can be downloaded free as PDF files. His book is titled Microvita: Cosmic Seeds of Life. There is also one powerpoint called Microvita and Kiirtan which he presented at the last Ananda Marga Summer Retreat. I end with a kiirtan from Unity Hours III, called Spirit Voices that has the sound of the sacred instruments of the Maori, the Taonga Puoro, which can be purchased here, thank you. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj.
Lydia here gives us the recipe for her delicious Vegan Meat Loaf.. a Real Hit at Xmas time or any other time when you are having a special meal. I then share a Kiirtan recording of my mothers song 'To Watch the Sky Smiling'. Click below to purchase the Kiirtan album Unity Hours III plus bonuses, thank you. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
Friends and Family at Xmas, I think its a beautiful thing... Here Lidia, Maetri and Ramadeva talk about their early experiences of kiirtan, meditation and Yoga..
What am I Mummy Jo? asks Isabel. So I run through a long list of different animals that she loves, or things that we talked about during the day, cause what she's really asking is 'Guess what I am thinking about Mummy Jo? Similarly with a mantra, it connects us to what we love the most... the divine within and without.. Heres the link to me new Kiirtan and song CD here. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
What do composers do under the influence of the planets?, they probably write music about it.. at least thats what Mozart did and Holst ,and possibly Schumann. And certainly I did. I wrote starlight a while ago too. I share starlight song and kiirtan with you at the end. Heres the link to purchase Unity Hours III songs and kiirtans. Please share it, thank you. https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
Jiivan gives his thoughts on the launch last night, it was awesome playing with Amitabha and Kavita as usual. Now its time for winding down! If you want to purchase the album (Double album, 2 for the price of one) Click Below
https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/launch-page-111o46ugj
and to hear the album launch on FB live, click here, thank you. https://www.facebook.com/1037540219/videos/10221763683814804/
Only one night to go till the album launch and mid way in my podcasts, that means tomorrow will be no 182 of 365! .And I am Inspired by a Baul verse, so I end with a Baul song 'Bandhu Amar by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. For Saturday nights launch come at 8.30 pm Irish time, its here: https://www.facebook.com/jyoshna.latrobe/ or https://www.facebook.com/RAWA-Renaissance-Artists-and-Writers-Association-Global-104543817911859
Working with Amitabha is a joy. His musicality, expertise, and all that he brings to the music makes it an adventure...one that can be a bit hairy at times but definitely exciting! So we are preparing for Saturday night performance on Facebook Live, the launch of Unity Hours III Songs and kiirtans. I end with some kiirtans from Unity Hours II, that we played yesterday from Online Kiirtan for the Universe.
Its great to be making plans for the Launch of the Unity Hours III Kiirtan Album with Dadao as he is so enthusiastic and encouraging. So the Launch is happening at 8.30 pm on Saturday the 19th at the Global RAWA. I shall be accompanied by Erik Azzopardi on piano and Kavita on Khol and percussion. Dadao shares his inspiration, and insight into the current affairs. We appreciate his service to artists and the public in providing such a wonderful venue to both the appreciators of art and the artists themselves. This coming weekend at the Global RAWA Concert will be not be a concert, it will be a two day long festival. Click here for more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/185295242454761
Having the Confidence to Take Risks and Dive fully into the Creative Process Truly Pays Off as you can hear in this interview with Morgan Davies, musician and ethnomusicologist from London, as he discusses the process of making his solo album "grey Matter'. The personal narrative that runs through this album takes one on a journey that ends with a universal message of love that permeates everything. Click below to hear Morgans wonderful new alum called 'Grey Matter' on Bandcamp. https://morgandaviesmusic.bandcamp.com/releases?fbclid=IwAR3XF9u8rjbJMMaaJS1I4a6AA_8-5S4JIh5J0fs2hRMDq6koJBTebhnDBHw
In this interview Vimukti tells us about how her animals are getting on and her fascinating Australian Cockatoo rescue story. She talks about the use of the pentatonic Reverie harp to be played to animals in need at the Animal Sanctuary and leaves us with some really good tips about what to do when you find an animal in distress on the road. I end with a kiirtan that she knows and everyone can sing along to.
Not only was it a divine night, but also a brilliant day at the Neo Humanist Conference. I managed to get to a few presentations by Liila Hass, Sohail Inayatulla and Erik Jacobson and they were all very thought provoking and inspiring. I end tonights podcast with a bhajan that I wrote in September, that I have added a few more verses to recently. Thanks for listening and I welcome any comments or feedback. BNK
Liila Hass will also be speaking at the Neo Humanist Conference on the weekend- on Gender Justice and Women's Leadership, it will be amazing. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/Gurukul.Conference.2020/
If you want something thought provoking and exciting to do this weekend, come along to the Neo Humanistic Education Conference online. Its free and it's going to be amazing. Theres such a diverse range of presentations being offered by over 70 presenters from all over the globe. My one is called Nourishing the Land, Touching the Heart and Raising the Spirit with the Supra Aesthetic Science of Kiirtan, which I talk briefly about. I end this podcast with a very old kiirtan of mine from NZ.
Emere, is a mezzo soprano from Aotearoa and volunteer in the Feeding Programme in Auckland. She embraces her spiritual connection with the Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous people of the land, and with her singing, weaves together a beautiful garland of songs and kiirtans to lead her weekly group meditation.
Late night kiirtan can be so peaceful and really help you connect spiritually and have a deep sleep. Listen and sing along to this avarta 'turning' kiirtan, six short kiirtans in a row..
Didi is an avadhutika, an amazing woman who helped to construct a Music School at Uma Nivas in India, a dhyan mandir 'meditation temple' in Brazil and is now working in Europe. In this interview she shares her different kiirtan experiences and sends out an encouraging message to others who are perhaps new to Kiirtan. Listen here to her interview and her original kiirtan.
In my second Avarta Kiirtan I speak briefly about the powerful ideation of this spiritual music practice, then sing some old kiirtans, popular in Australia and NZ in the 80s. Join in and sing these with me, and experience the blissful effects.
Turning kiirtan or Avarta Kiirtan is one of the hidden secrets of self transformation. Tonight I give a brief description of the ideation that goes with each of the six kiirtans in Avarta kiirtan a musical/spiritual practice given by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. There are two versions as far as I know, but I am giving the one I was taught many years ago. I then sing a short twelve minute avarta kiirtan in the hope that you will join with me. Its so incredibly beautiful and helpful to do before sleep.
Sadhana aka Lorraine Duttta has been an amazing artist and spiritualist all her life. Tonight we talk about her art and her spiritual experiences with Baba when he was giving spiritual demonstrations explaining life, death and ego in 1969 as well as kiirtan in 1970. It is an honour and a privilege to hear her about her experiences and deep insights into life and art. I end with an old kiirtan, that Anandii reminded me about today.
There is no place on earth like Rarh for kiirtan- its powerfully ecstatic, its transcendental and a a supra aesthetic science according to Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. Today I talk a little about my own experience of it and Caitanya Mahaprabhu's saying.. to the words of Rarh, to the tunes of Rarh I shall sing kiirtan.. as he would travel through Rarh on his way to Puri. I end by singing Hari Bolo in Daspera Rag, a traditional Rarhi kiirtan sung at the beginning. Click below to get the link to see it on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJvLcXs7yh8
This is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Motto and very profound guidance for a kiirtaniya. He was an example of what he preached and included everyone into his spiritual community no matter what caste or background, though it was very controversial at the time. I then sing a bhajan i heard many years ago, called I love you till the Day I die, although I don't know who wrote it.
Anandii Shares her Experiences of Dance, Singing, Creative Writing and more recently.. Kiirtan. Coming from a supportive creative background growing up, Anandii finds new meaning and motivation in her creative expression through the Yogic path of meditation. Anandii was one of the younger participants in the Kiirtan Course and brought such a joy and enthusiasm to the sessions. She ends by singing her own kiirtan acapella style.
How to Cook Delicious Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes the Alternative Way ..Just imagine.. Candied Sweet Potatoes, Baked Nut Loaf with Vegan Gravy, Corn Bread Stuffing as a Main. Then for Dessert - Pumpkin Pie and Pekan Pie with Vegan cream - Were we in Heaven?? Really... Just get out your pens and scribble these scrumptious recipes down for your next Thanksgiving dinner, you wont regret it! Join Didi Ananda Prama, our expert chef in Sentient vegan gluten free cooking, as she shares these nuggets with you today! To end this podcast I sing a kiirtan I wrote in the Canaries, I think...
Listen to MIirabaii speak about here childhood experiences with music - how so many of us are thwarted in our musical development when we are growing up by insensitive comments. But, it doesn't stop us, the music and dance, it lives on! She also speaks about, how inspiring the local Women's Chorus she joined is, that it's like a village or Big Family, where the participants always find something supportive to say to each other. Lastly she peaks about her experience at the Kiirtan academy and also a very blissful experience she had doing kiirtan.
Tonight we talk briefly about Maetri's inspiring experiences at LFT Yogic Training and the Kiirtan Academy Week long Kiirtan Course. Maetri is from Newfoundland in Canada and is now living at Sunrise and involved in lots of activities on the farm including her film projects. We end by singing a newish kiirtan that I wrote at Sunrise and called Longing Heart Kiirtan.
Kavita talks briefly about the use of drums in western kiirtan, about the sacred connection between a drummer and her drum, and playing together with the singer, not just as an accompanist but as a collaborator. She also plays the three basic kiirtan rhythms for us, then I play a gentle kiirtan to end the session.
Talking tonight about Kiirtan Sequences -the internal story line going on inside when singing kiirtan and secret associations that no one could ever guess. I am singing the sequence- Kiirtan for Dad, Do I Exist and Ananda Sutram Kiirtan- because they tell stories about NZ for me. Why don't you create a kiirtan sequence too and share it with me?
Its been four days now of connecting with people from different part of the world to share the experiences on a subject very dear to our hearts - Kiirtan. We are exploring new and traditional ways of developing the voice, dance and instrumental music from within a tradition that is so rich we could go on forever! AT the end I share a kiirtan for someone in our community who passed away recently. BNK
Madhumita and I speak her transformational experiences recently in her life and music. These experiences have her feeling empowered and in a spiritual flow. WE end with her playing a kiirtan on piano and singing 'Baba Nam kevalam 'Love is all there is'.
I talk briefly about the First session of the Second Online Kiirtan Course. There is so much diversity at the Kiirtan Academy, or should I say, diversity in Unity, and something there for everyone! I end the talk with an old kiirtan I wrote at Yoga Training in Australia years ago. Dada Nabhaniilananda recorded it not knowing I wrote it, so here it is, the original!.
Listening to my Unity Hours III Kiirtan album I feel very happy with it. I am very grateful for the opportunity to share it with you all soon and want to say thank you to Michael Lloyd for mixing it and his family for being so amazing!. Thanks also to the musicians who played on it, Kapil for the photos, Kavita for the artwork, my dear family, and friends who contributed in many significant ways, and of course, Baba my Spiritual teacher for so much inspiration. I could never have done it alone!
Tonight Didi Ananda Prama shares her wonderful recipes for Diipavali.. One of the favourites from West Africa is the delicious and very nutritious Peanut Soup. Then I sing the Diiipavali song from Prabhat Samgiit.
Listen to More amazing stories from Anandam about Vimal, Jai Uttala and others experiences with Baba in India. Anandam is a wonderful story teller and singer with his partner Kirana. He tells the story about Vimal's clothes that Baba did some experiment with, about the boy who sang to Baba on the Fire escape, and Jai Uttal's first guru.
My mother was a great inspiration and support to me in my life, and little did I know, she was also a poet. We only discovered her poetry book after she passed way. I loved this poem she wrote, it encapsulates her, so I put music to it. The song is called 'To Watch the Sky smiling' and it's on Unity Hours III. Please leave any comments about how your mother inspired you too, via a voice message. Thank you!
Tonight I'm Singing the song 'Lightning in me' from Unity Hours III, and kiirtan, a song written at Bethells Beach in NZ, to give an example of how I use metaphor for expressing feelings that are difficult to express in other ways.
In this episode I share a song I wrote in 2012 called 'Home is in the Heart', when I was part of the 'Culture Clash performance project with other hugely enthusiastic performers. Based at Tapac, it was a community theatre project, showing the multicultural face of Auckland under the guidance of Kaye Hayes and Margaret Mary Hollins. I end with a kiirtan. For more info on the Kiirtan Academy click below thank you: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/home-page7ov7i7dw
Shivanii is an incredibly vibrant and knowledgeable woman, who shares her experiences relating to attracting true love into her lIfe through journalling, confront past fears, intuitive healing, and much more.
Part I: Shivanii Devi is an inspiring woman who speaks about Kiirtan, her work as a Coach for Women's Empowerment (and Struggle against Domestic Violence) and Manifesting Love in Life. Contact Shivanii for Coaching, mentioning this podcast at: https://www.facebook.com/shivanii.outstanding. To find out more about the Kiirtan Academy Course coming soon click the link below: https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagebfstu4s8
If so, listen to our brilliant researcher Liilamaya aka Luke Behan shares more of his findings on the medical science behind kiirtan and meditation. His stories are riveting and provides more impetus for us to do our spiritual practice with determination and devotion. Check out his new venture here: www.noetichealth.co.uk. Click below for the link to join the Kiirtan Academy Kiirtan Course https://jyoshnaad5185.clickfunnels.com/sales-pagebfstu4s8
When I was living in London I met Kari Grete-Alstad of NRK Norwegian TV when she came to film musicians auditioning for their Buskers License in the London Underground. Some years later May Holmes the producer from NRK asked me to write some music for a programme on Historical Towns in Norway. 'Sweet Longing' kiirtan started out as a short piece of music for this programme. I included this kiirtan in Unity Hours III and then extended it for the Kiirtan album soon to be released. In this episode I describe how I constructed Sweet Longing Kiirtan. Click below to see the programme on NRK about my experience as a London Busker during my stay in London. days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsRoomIyJRk
Its always a great inspiration to share the creative process with other creative people. It can be like working with a stream of consciousness or something that comes intact spontaneously, there are so many ways to be deliver your creative expression, whether it be in a song or piece of writing or sculpture or whatever. So if you relate to my experience around writing the song 'Wonderful' let me know, thanks
Today is a bit of a catch up as I share some feedback by Gaorii on Ferron's music, and then continue with the song I shared with you on Sept 10th with a new or second version of it.
Tonight I sing the song 'Dare I say' off Unity Hours III with kiirtan at the end because its been coming to my mind lately to share it. Its a very personal song about a break up that happened more than 12 years ago now, and the chorus is about wanting to end the silence between us. As I have said before my songs are like a musical diary of my life, so it all goes into the music.
Saint Francis of Assisi is the Saint that comes to my mind for his love and respect for all of creation especially animals and his compassion for people with leprosy and the poor. The Chorus of this song called 'Ray of Divine Light' came to me when I visited the cave just outside of Assisi where he slept and prayed.
Ferron's song Testimony was so hauntingly beautiful it inspired me to put a kiirtan to it. I was fortunate enough to meet her in 1980 and she was a role model for me because she was such an amazing singer songwriter and a strong charismatic lesbian woman. Listen to her song and kiirtan here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynkuRxh5azk
The Dark and the Light - Tonight I talk briefly with Peneleapai from our local community around Scariff in Ireland, about the significance of Halloween or Samhain from her perspective. I then sing Diipavalli a song in Bengali from P.R.Sarkar, about the festival of light also sung in November, related to harvest and moving into the dark, wintery part of the year.
Tonight Jiivan and I discuss his serendipitous experience of this song, at a time when Vimal was leaving this world. This song inspired him so much and brought back feelings of his deep connectedness with that Infinite One and reminders of his mission in life. We end by singing "You are Higher than the Mountain Peaks' by Vimal. Bon Voyage dear Vimal, the world will not forget you or your Beautiful music!.
its not easy to put into words.. but I have shared a few experiences of blissful collective kiirtan to keep you inspired during these challenging days! I end with a Kiirtan melody from Rarh.
Lead by Ramon Sosa, aks Rajatakrishna aka Dado, the RAWA Global Concert was live for 12 hours, with over 30 performers, musicians, poets, actors, DJ's, dancers and singers from all over the world. They came together to celebrate the art of service and spirituality. that light that is within us all was lit with an effulgent flame and the darkness that sometimes threatens to engulf us, just vanished in the blue skies. There is real hope in the world, when you listen and connect with their message of unity.
The Second Online Kiirtan Course is coming up in two weeks Because the first one was so blissful we decided to have a second, starting Nov 9th. We want to invite anyone who wants to develop their kiirtan playing, singing, dance as well as appreciation of Kiirtan to join us. Whatever issues you are having with your kirtan we are here to help you explore your deep musical potential, to inspire your creativity, to empower you and provide a platform for you to connect with other kiirtaniyas world wide, This global kiirtan community will support and sustain you on your onward spiritual music journey.
Film maker, Writer, Producer Arani Cuthbert, of Diva Productions is a very successful music, film and TV producer from Aotearoa New Zealand. She also manages NZ's very own and much loved, Topp Twins. Listen to Arani's insightful perspective on whats been happening in Aotearoa New Zealand and life in general. I end with 'Angel' a song, I wrote in the Topp Twins Caravan, in Grey Lynn, Auckland, years ago.
Bethells Beach on the West Coast of New Zealand, is one of my most Favourite places on Earth- this song was written there, but it also symbolises a soul wards journey of love and freedom and too. listen here.
After a lovely visit with Brendan today before we go into lock down again, I am singing a few sutras from Ananda Sutram Part one - its all about the Cycle of Creation. Click here to hear all of it with a video by Kavita Neumannova at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NcPFYc_gmU&t=23s
Tonight I interview Jayanta or Jonathan McCullumn, the initiator of the new Innersong Radio App that plays kiirtan from all over the globe 24 hours. His Journey began when he decided to leave college to follow his heart leading him to the yogic path and then to be a dedicated nurse and in his spare time create the Kiirtan Radio. Kiirtanyas get in touch with him.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/innersong-radio/id1510502554
Tonight I start with a song "in the Early Morning" dedicated to Hambi aka Vimal, and then talk with Amal aka Anandam originally from Liverpool, who shares his experiences with Vimal and his own music with his partner Kiirana. Vimal was music loved and appreciated as someone who was always of service to others, and as a great singer/songwriters of devotional/social songs in Ananda Marga and worldwide. He wrote the famous song "You are higher than the Mountain Peaks" for example.
My friend Amitabha- classical Pianist, Composer, Kiirtaniya, and I discuss his inspiring regime during this lockdown period - of exercise, healthy smoothies, creative expression and composing as well as promoting his new website. We touch on our favourite classical composers, Bach, Chopin, Scrabin as well as Prabhat Samgiit. His story is so empowering, I encourage everyone to listen to it.
If so, listen here. In this podcast by the brilliant Liilamaya from Manchester aka Luke Behan, he talks about his personal transformation from rebelling against God to a complete turn around. Liilamaya shares his research on the medical science behind kiirtan and meditation. His explanation is fascinating and provides a great incentive to do it more each day and with gusto. Check out his new venture here: www.noetichealth.co.uk. Click below for the link to join the Kiirtan Academy Monthly session 2- https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
Tumi Nikata Hayite, is a kiirtan song in Bengali from Prabhat Samgiit (no 181). Today I sing it again after a very long time and tell a story about it.
Its the sixth session of the RAWA Global Movement online concert., that means it been going on for six month now since it began online, thanks to Ramon Sosa, aka Rajatakrishna, aka Dadao! Each event features artists from all over the globe and goes on all day, it's just brilliant. If you want to see humanity represented in all it colourful splendour, then come on the 24th for the next online event. Dadao ends by singing a kiirtan he wrote in Mexico.
Harp Therapist, Animal Lover, Kiirtaniya - Vimukti - When we want to be close to another sentient being, to give them love and care, through massage and music. Thats what Vimukti does with animals of all shapes, sizes and temperaments, and they really respond- Listen to our interview! We end with a short Sanskrit bhajan, a golden oldie called 'Jai Baba, Parama Purusa, Taraka Brahma, sadguru..
Baul 'Mystic' songs permeates Rarh, 'Red Earth' in North East India. It is the foundation upon which Rarhii Kiirtan is built. Listen to an amazing field recording of Devi Das Baul from Purulia.
Tonight I interview Mudita who has just returned from an Angelic Voices Retreat in Australia with Crow, an amazing artist and shaman. She shares a beautiful haunting North American Indian chant, a Baba Nam Kevalam Kiirtan and a Halelluya chant - all different expressions of the world's kiirtan traditions.
Today there is kiirtan going on all around the wold on so many different online platforms in so many continents. So I talk briefly about how the mantra Baba Nam kevalam came into being. It's a fascinating story and reminds me of how subtle our hearing can be, to be able to pick up the sound vibrations in nature, that are there already.
Today I talk with Saskia about her creative life, growing up, her art, love of kiirtan and her herbalism. Saskia is like Queen Bee to me, a central figure in our local community, a great networker, writer, singer and artist.
Richard Nunns is a legendary figure in New Zealand music scene, a player of taonga puoro or 'sacred instruments of the Maori'. He is renowned for his seminal research work on the subject and unique playing of the instruments, both in NZ and overseas. He was also a very generous person with a love for the traditional ways of learning. Here I play a track called 'Spirit Voices' where Richard Nunns plays taonga puoro, that I have included on Unity Hours III Kiirtan album soon to be released.
Karun is a writer, a yogi and, as he says, a want to be architect. Tonight I am speaking with him about his vision of the future, his inspired writings, and his conversations with friends in the park. I include a comment sent by by Gaorii and end with a kiirtan I wrote while flatting together in Theobalds Road, London.
121/365 Starlight kiirtan is the first track on Unity Hours III Kiirtan album, to be launched very soon. Here I give a brief account of where the idea came from for the kiirtan, the chords and the different tunes inside that kiirtan. Theres also the MP3 of 'Starlight Kiirtan'. Be the first to review it!
Brigunath who is an active supporter of Sunrise and a scientist talks briefly about his research into singing plants and trees, and how stinging nettle seems to be the loudest. I end out session with a song I wrote about NZ bush, called the Tree song. .
119/365 Tonight I talk briefly with Ratna Dyer - NZ Writer, Therapist, Mother and Musician - about her inspirational writings on Facebook. She shares with us one of her amazing poems. Listen here and you can find her on Facebook: Ratna-Dyer and Instagram:@ratnadyer.
118/365 Tonight I talk briefly about Avarta Kiirtan, a very unique and powerful spiritual practice, that can deeply transform your life..
Jiivan and I talk about Sunrise Farm, a charity and a place run by women of Ananda Marga 'Path of Bliss'. The name is metaphorical - as its where you can shin a light on life, uplift your spirits, and gain a sense of well being. Its where you can eat healthy organic food grown right here, take care of animals, and be supported in doing yoga, kiirtan, meditation and other spiritual practises. It can be a place of transformation of body mind and spirit, especially for women and children.
116/365 Somehow the recordings of the Mount Shannon Culture Night didn't work out the first time, so we all went back to do it again. It was just as much a pleasure as the first time. So thanks to Stephen who organised it and to all the performers, on both nights. Listen to Denise (on fiddle) and Terence (guitar and vocals) and another great local singer, then Denise and I playing 'Dharma Amari sathi' (a Bengali song with a Celtic influence) and Tiny Green Island (which I dedicated to the children), both by P.R.Sarkar.
A Woman of the Heart- Mother, Healer, Writer, Kiirtan Leader and much more. I was speaking briefly to Liila this morning while she is in Quarantine in Sydney, and on her way to Tasmania. Liila is a woman with a revolutionary spirit and instrumental in bringing progressive women together worldwide. Listen here to what she says...
Today I failed my spiritual test but after realising it, I will remember not to be overwhelmed by the pain of darkness but keep that deep inner light that exists inside of me and everyone, always alight and effulgent! The I sing the song 'For Grace', written here at the farm in Ireland..
Singing today or Didi Ananda Mitra at Visao Fuuro, in Brazil, who is a legend, I was brought back not only to the amazing time I had there in 2011 but also to India when we were there together with Baba.. such deep feelings of indescribable bliss.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLPNyADV0T8
Jemma - Our 'Workaway' volunteer shares a bit about her Creative life with us and her experience of Kiirtan Jemma is a young woman from Belfast, has been a volunteer at Sunrise farm for a month. She's been working outside on the farm, planting, weeding, etc, and also doing kiirtan and meditation together. Jemma plays ukulele and also sings wonderfully. It's been great to have her join us, and before she leaves on Monday I asked her to share with us about her experiences here.
Today I talk briefly with Shivanii Devi to congratulate her and the group called 'Australian Kiirtan for Connection' who have been playing kiirtan online every day for 6 months. Shivanii is a mother of three, a Coach for Women who are suffering from domestic violence, a writer and a Senior Leader for Tony Robbins and today she shares her message and sings a kiirtan for us.
110/365 - Ini and I have known each other a long time - although we live in different countries. She has a wonderful deep voice and is a prolific composer of songs and kiirtans. Today she talks about her inner world and her passionate drive to compose and perform.
It's also the anniversary of my Personal Contact with Baba, the first time I sat with him, when he spoke to me, laughed with me, and gave me his blessing. It's a day I will remember for the rest of my life. .
Brendan left a message in response to the previous episode on struggle or effort being the essence of life. I respond to that through a song written in Vancouver, 'Child of Humanity' .
Everyone has huge challenges in life but we can overcome them with a couple of very powerful tools.....
Thanks to you all for being there with me over these 106 days! I am very grateful. I am singing a favourite Kiirtan tune that we sang today on the Beach at Strandhill in Sligo, Ireland. Thanks to Graham Double for sharing his experiences in India with Baba, and the massage that this tune has attached to it. Thanks to Ashrava for inspiring me with her beautiful music when I first embarked on the meditation yoga path. Watch Los Jaivas sing that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYMDreaaDfo
Gaorii talks about how music has formed a part of her life from an early age, starting with her family background, being in a Church choir followed by her love of kiirtan and bhajans over many decades. We also talk briefly about the state of the indigenous people in British Columbia and their homelessness which is tragic considering its their own land that has been stolen from them. In life... music is one thing we do to keep ourselves and others inspired especially during this time of separation from our loved ones. I end with a short song called Diipabali, no 62 of Prabhat Samgiit.
Culture Night was a brilliant night, and gave me immense hope for the present and future situations in Ireland. I was playing so was only able to record a few segments of it. However it will be on Clare TV and the podcast will also be available on the Mount Shannon Arts festival website. https://www.mountshannonarts.net/
Tonight I speak with Eavan Brennan, an amazing writer, actor, and midwife from Mount Shannon, who is introducing Mount Shannon Arts Festival 'Culture Night' tomorrow. Eavan shares some deep insights into the situation in Ireland with Direct Provision ( asylum seekers in Ireland) and other pertinent social topics.
Tonight I am speaking with Latika about how its been for her in Italy over this period of time, and about her creative connections, her beautiful kiirtan, and her experience of the Kiirtan Academy.
In our small community here in Mount Shannon we are having a Culture Night on Friday to uplift one and all. Tomorrow night Eaven Brennan is coming along to my podcast to talk about the Culture Night and also about Direct Provision in Ireland.
Prabhat Samgiit are songs 'drawn with ink of the heart' says Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. They are so varied and deeply devotional, socially progressive and profound songs, covering a multitude of themes and incorporating many different genres. They are my medicine and my nourishment, always.
This song I wrote for Isabel, says it all. "Don't cry for me, don't sigh for me, don't sing me songs of love, cos I will send them back to you, with ribbons and white doves. The birds that sing, the moon and stars, twinkling high above, they all can see that I am with the embodiment of love..."
On the 14th September admirers and devotees of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar celebrate the anniversary of Prabhat Samgiit, a collection of over 5000 songs written and composed by P.R Sarkar between the years 1982- 1990. Today I gave a short presentation on kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiit at the Midwest (USA) Regional Fall Seminar orgnaised by Dada Jyotiriishananda and team and then sing my favourite Kiirtan song 'Ami Jedeke Takai' no 138.
I am really happy after tonights Kiirtan Academy Monthly session on Prabhat Samgiit songs and kiirtan. By the end of it, we were all laughing, even though there were some pretty awful technical issues...i have determined to make it work, and so am repeating the session next Friday night, same time.
Tonight I visited Denise Glass and recorded the two of us playing Dharma Amari Sathe, 'Dharma is my friend' . I then recorded Alexanders interview with me, as I wanted to share information about kiirtan in case its still a mystery to anyone who doesn't know whats going on with the Kiirtan Academy.
Theres no pain greater than love. If I could swim the ocean, I would swim to your side, not a single motion, would be a waste of time, and I wont give in, like a gentle dove, cos theres no pain greater than love....
Its my Dads birthday today, he passed away in 1996. I owe him so much and I am remembering what he said to me, the last thing he said actually.... I love you Dad, and I miss eating rice pudding with you.. but heres an Indian birthday song for you... Janma titiithe... by P.R Sarkar..
Being and Teaching Teenagers is on the one hand very exciting, and on the other hand quite challenging, would you agree? I am digging down deep now to remember what it was like being a teenager again :)
Jens is a musician friend of mine, living in Kilkenny. His enthusiasm for music is contagious and his willingness to play anything with anyone makes him the life of the party. Here we are having a chat about his background and his love of music. We end with a short jam on 'Starlight' kiirtan.
Today I realised how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to share my experience, strength and intuition in my teaching practice. I also drove 5 hours in total to visit the Hot Seaweed Baths and walk around the coastline of Strandhill in Sligo, Ireland, and it was worth it. Overall I am feeling very tired but grateful! https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
Tonight I talk with my dear friend Jiivan about our mothers and what was their most memorable characteristic. For Jiivan it was his mothers service to others, the way she loved to make food for those in need and was always contributing, helping at funerals and hospitals for example. My Mum, Toni Latrobe as she liked to be called, was a mother of five children, four of which survived. She was a stay at home Mum, as most were in those days, with a huge potential for communication. She embodies devotion for me -.in the way she sang, in the way she spoke about others and the way she listened to them with love and an open heart, in the way she understood God from the inside, in the way she laughed and was present for others, never a bad word to say, always with a smile, and encouraging of my music... she was my biggest fan :).
89/365 Tiny Green Island- One of the most popular songs at Yoga Gatherings around the world. On Prabhat Samgiita net you will find the original recorded versions of Prabhat Samgiita songs. But what do you do when here are two original versions?, as it is with 'Tiny Green Island', a beautiful English song in Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's Collection, recorded by Dada Priiyashivananda. . Here I sing the second version, the one not commonly heard, but more celestial i think.
Tonight I sing Raktim Kishalay or Reddish Leaf. My daughter has wanted to listen to the album 'Reddish Blossom' for the past six months. Shes only two and a half and she just loves Prabhat Samgiit songs. They seem to have a very soothing and uplifting effect on her. Click below to check out the Kiirtan Academy https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
I talk briefly about a few reasons from my experience why people exploit LBGT people and anyone who is more vulnerable in our society and then I sing a Bengali song called Manke Kono (Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar), which saved me from feeling overwhelmed by heavy energies in the London Underground when I was busking there in the past. I found it was really powerful in shifting that dark energy and bringing light again. Click below to see NRTVs episode on my music in the LU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsRoomIyJRk&t=1422s
In this podcast I sing a song called 'We are Not alone', a song dedicated to those of us who feel that 'different' through no fault of our own. Maybe we're Third gender, black, white, green, whatever it may be!, we know that diversity is the law of nature and in essence we are one universal family.
Mudita and friends are holding the torch with their 'Australian Kiirtan for Connection' going every day for 5 months. In this interview Mudita shares her experiences as a sound therapist and kiiirtaniya in Australia with all the isolation during Covid 19. I end with a kiirtan recorded today at Fanora beach in the Burren, with the sound of lapping waves in front of us. Please click here to check out the Kiiran Academy Monthly Sessions https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2
During the Kiirtan Academy Course recently Sharala would always amaze us with her cat stories, so I thought i wold invite her to come and share them with you all. and her beautiful kiirtan. Actually, everyone who participated in the first Online Kiirtan Academy Course, sang beautifully, with heart and soul and had their very own unique style. Listen to Sharala here: https://soundcloud.com/sarala-devi
Tonight I talk briefly about a wonderful kiirtan session we had with just the three of us, we were sharing and then we really got down to the nuts and bolts of kiirtan practice. I then sing a little improv kiirtan just to relax at the end of a long week. Just a reminder, who not come and join us in the next Kiirtan Academy Session on Friday the 4th. I have no doubt that you will get plenty of information, good connections and personal transformation out of it! If not, I will guarantee your money back! Heres the link: https://www.kiirtanacademy.com/sales-pageup9kdkx2semy
Tonight I was playing different songs and this one seemed to fit with my mood. Its E Gan Thamibe na by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, a song about social justice and equality, also called the Prout song, which stands for Progressive Utilisation Theory. You can check Prout out on https://prout.info/ and Wikipedia.
I am speaking to Vimukti Warr this evening, an old friend, musician and healer from Australia. As she talks about playing therapeutic music to animals I feel inspired to play outside more to the neighbours horses, as well as the domestic animals. on the farm. Vimukti speaks about her life, how she she started with little confidence and then developed musically so that now she plays harp and sings kiirtan for animals that are traumatised, and works with the International Harp Therapy Programme.
Tonight I talk briefly about a music school and kiirtan festivals I was fortunate enough to initiate in New Zealand previously and now the Kiirtan Academy which is the most exciting one to date. I also sing a kiirtan from the Philippines, which is one of my favourites, and one I sang often for Baba when visiting India.
Being in the Aran Islands this weekend was really amazing and while I was there, this song was just going over and over in my heart. So here it is, Lighthouse on the Cliff, written in the 80s, and sung for the first time in a very long time. It really sums up how I felt in the Aran Islands.
My first trip to the Aran Islands the western most tip of Europe we visit the oldest Ringfort in Europe, 3500 years old. Even though we were told there wasn’t any traditional music on the island cos of Covid we managed to find some. Listen here ...
I was asking myself the question how would Chopin feel, when the song Angel came to me, a song about unrequited love. But after singing Baba Nam Kevalam Kiirtan to it yesterday, I now see it in a completely different light. Its also a song about divine love, ideal love as well as human love, where the little soul wants to merge into the Cosmic Soul. The image is of a sculpture by Brendan Rawlings.
Jyotsna (the Bengali spelling) Dile.The other night, during the storm here in Co Clare, I was singing a kiirtan from the song Jyotsna (the Bengali spelling) Dile. When a song has your name in it, then of course you take it personally. Thats how I feel about this song, no 3069 of Prabhat Samgiit. The tune from this song is my Default Kiirtan that I sing when I really need to calm myself or just happily going about my day. Here I am singing it for you.
When our volunteer on the farm asked me today asked me what is "your nearest and dearest one"?, in relation to the meaning of the universal mantra Baba Nam kevalam. I had to really think about what to say...So here's a song Occen.. that relates to my feeling about it, a little story about fearful love becoming fearless love.
Sometimes its hard to feel whats going on in the world right now, especially with people feeling the deep sadness of loosing loved ones, we all feel it. Thats the bad news. But the good news is that in places like Rarh, in India, they believe that kiirtan carries the soul to the Supreme Soul, to its final destination, so thats a very beautiful thought. I am singing a song I wrote for my Dad when he passed away in 1996, followed by a kiirtan. Then I talk briefly about the Course feedback given by some participants today, which I am very grateful for, thats more good news :).
I wasn't into public speaking at all when I was young, music was the way I expressed myself, luckily. I learnt meditation when I was 18, and I remember how difficult it was to sit for a long time in those early days, 15 mins was my max. When I was asked to speak after group meditation one day, I thought no way! So i went outside and I wrote my first bhajan called 'You're New to me' and sang it after Dharmacakra, 'group meditation'. Here I sing it for you after many years.
Spending time singing Daspera Raginii with Tinkuda on the back of the motorbike, was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. This was while doing my fieldwork in Rarh, north east India, a region that is rich in music culture and spirituality. Today I am singing Daspera Raginii melody for you, which is just a small segment of the actual raginii that is performed with the khol drum tals. The two are interwoven so perfectly in Rarhi kiirtan. To hear the Kostuka group sing Daspera, with the khol drums and cymbals is something else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQdZLj7Uj6g
71/365 Tiny Green Island by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar has been sung all over the world. It has been translated into many languages including Spanish, Portuguese and Irish. Its still one of my favourites and I have recorded it twice (on Touched by the Sea album in 1994 and Avarta Kiirtan II album in Ireland in 2018) and could keep on recoding it, again and again with different arrangements. Click below to hear it in Irish and English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8xBNtXo1qE
Today on -Ekadashi (fast day)- I talk about what its like to fast every two weeks. I also saw a facebook post about George Stinney Jnr. When I read about terrible injustices done to innocent people, plants, animals, whatever, it makes me so sad, to put it mildly. It reminds of the song by P.R Sarkar called Manus Sabai Apan (no 1040 Prabhat Samgiit Collection). So today I am singing this song to keep in mind, that actually racism or any kind of 'ism' blinds us to the realitythat we have so more in common with each other than not, as the songs says, We all eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, love to see the smiling faces of our loved ones., we love the earth, the sun and moon....
With everyone facing Covid, I think this song is so pertinent and relevant in the present situation. Jhirnu Vishirnu, or song of service is still one of my favourites of the Prabhat Samgiit Collection, written with ink of the heart by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, the greatest Indian composer of the 20th century. Click here to listen to the album 'Who Else Will' version. The beautiful painting on the cover of the album is by George Azzopardi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hWDRbafeo
68/365 I left NZ in 1979 on a trip to the UK. On the way I stopped in Los Angeles. After a week or two I heard Baba was coming to Jamaica, so I hopped on a plane to Jamaica. There I got to Meet Baba physically for the first time. I sang a song for Baba, called Woman, the lyrics are by Rabindranath Tagore. Click below to see that video on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDDEdYxPn4&t=1106s
67/365 My friend Tina Tourin wrote.. "I know what its like to hold soft innocence in your arms", which is exactly what I felt when I held my little one again after three weeks. It was a lovely day, with great company, great food, and high spirits.
What else to say.. Im getting the best present ever! Isabel, my daughter, is coming home tomorrow on my birthday! They have been away for three weeks in Czech visiting family. Click below to listen to Isabels song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrF9mQXROFw&feature=youtu.be
The End of our First Online Kiirtan Course - was really awesome, thanks to everyone who shared their sounds, their voice, their soul. Maybe in future we will have a Kiirtan version of the Global Talent Show). Click below to listen to Unity Hours. thank you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bbd8or9C8Q&list=OLAK5uy_noW_l--_dcIphic45x_XaWcNzh8kif7oc.
In this sixth session of the Online Kiirtan Academy Course, we were sharing stories and experiences about kiirtan, it was really lovely. Sometimes when doing something new, boundaries within are broken, and its possible to recognise that, yes, we are growing beyond what we've previously thought possible, its painful yet at the same time, painfully beautiful! Click here to listen to Cascading Tears Kiirtan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lrxw78y5-E
Tonight I talk a little about what can you do with the emotion that comes up when we are making and playing kiirtan and what is devotion? What goes into making a kiirtan sequence? Although I am talking about a new concept, it's old in the sense that kiirtaniyas do it whenever they choose kiirtans to play for half an hour or more in a row. Kiirtan sequences help us to choose which kiirtans to play that can weave together different strands of the dramatic devotional story. Click here to listen to Pradiip and me singing his divine kiirtan in Brazil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkGnN5PVAas&t=86s
What to do when someone joins the kiirtan playing drums or tambourine and is in their own flow? Drumming is so important in kiirtan and in Rarh kiirtan groups have made one whole section just for the drum solo. Its called katan and its amazing!. Check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJvLcXs7yh8
Many times we lose our voices when singing kiirtan because its quite strenuous if you are singing, dancing and playing the guitar continuously for over half an hour. But my training with Jagaranda was another incredible lesson in kiirtan voice training. Listen to the strength and beauty of Shiva Ranjani Raga off Red Earth Fusion, to hear a traditional Rarhi Kiirtan raga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoL1Hrx9sa4
So tonight we gathered again, people from many different parts of the world to discuss the fundamentals of kiirtan and how we can improve our practice. I talked about the basic kiirtan rhythms of kiirtan that distinguishes it from other music genres, and about the ideation for lalita marmika kiirtan dance. We also had fun finding where to step on the first beat of the bar in time with different kiirtan tunes. Lalita showed us a very beautiful dance step based on Rarhi kiirtan, so that in future we can develop the dance form of kiirtan along with the music and singing. Amitabha gave us insight into the basics of pulse, beats, rhythms etc, it was all very interesting. One of the videos we watched showed some Kiirtan dancers (young girls) dancing very beautifully, at 5:22 mins. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1413869748806804/
It was wonderful to see people from different parts of the globe and to hear their kiirtans. I talked about Beliefs, Benefits and History of kiirtan and Amitabha talked about the many different voice ranges, its was fascinating. Click below to hear a very old recording of a kiirtan song I wrote in the 80'.s, thank you. https://youtu.be/Y4XG7i2saok
In this podcast Didi Ananda Prama from Sunrise Education Trust and I speak about the Whys of Launching the Kiirtan Academy and the Online Course starting tomorrow. Click here to hear Tiny Green Island in three langauages: Portuguese, Spanish and English. Filmed in Brazil in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5XH1YJ3yFA
Tonight Jiivan and I sing a song which could describe either Ireland or New Zealand or any small island. But in fact it has a much deeper meaning. Listen here. Thanks so much.
Today I talk with Yuktesha from Taiwan, pronounced Juktesh who one day, out of the blue on FB, offered to design my CD covers for me. We talk bout his experience as a visual artist, a painter of mandalas, composer of kiirtans, and how it has been in Taiwan during COVID.
Tonight I talk briefly about a few of my favourite Kiirtan songs (Pada Kiirtan), one in particular Ami Jedeke Takai. It is on the Dancing Divinity album recorded in 1999 after our performance at Sweetwaters Festival near Auckland. Click Below to Hear the Kiirtan on Sounds of Silence at 24:41. Thank you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlh53Toi9T8&t=1261s
I spent some time with Ashoka Dhar, a renowned Dhrpad singer living in Kolkata in 2005. We used to sit for over an hour and sing Sa... to the sound of the tamboura. Its mystical effect still woks today.. To Celebrate the 55th day I sing 'Who Else Will' a Prabhat Samgiit song. Click below, thanks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hWDRbafeo
Today I talk briefly about What goes into making a blissful recording of Kiirtan Chants.. is it the Experiences.. the People? or the greater purpose?. Click Here to see the Avarta Kiirtan I Album Launch in Whitegate, Co Clare, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_V_u0io14c&t=791s
Today I talk about the fascinating structure beneath Rarhi Kiirtan that Tinku and I delved into, in our research into Rarhi Kiirtan... It was unknown to anyone outside the tradition until we managed to unravel its amazing secrets. Click below to see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJvLcXs7yh8
Today I talk briefly about blind spots and find the beauty and intensity of Rarhi Kiirtan again. Click below to see it near the end of the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFBNsnnWjto
Tinku (Sanjay Kumar Mahato) talks about Kiirtan and Covid- Tinku is my friend and has been my research partner since 1997 in India. I stay with his family whenever I go there to research kiirtan together. Today he talks about how it is believed that kiirtan can bring rain, cleanse the environment and heal heart and mind. The recorded sound is not good but I think you will get the good vibes if you listen to it and I try to give a few summaries. Click below (at 2;47) in this video you can see the landscape around Tinkus village. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BKkV6-Y3xk
50/365 Kiirtan Rhythms and Ecstatic Dance In this podcast I talk about the amazing khol drum rhythms and sounds in Rarhi Kiirtan. How this musical goldmine gave me the material and inspiration to prove absolutely that kiirtan is a music genre in its own right with its own central corpus of compositions/composers/and a very unique infrastructure. Click Below to see the most amazing Rarhi kiirtan group perform, a very senior kiirtan team, recorded during the Rarhi Kiirtan Competition that Sanjay Mahato and I organised from 2016-18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TPdZOCa_4E&t=136s
Today I talk briefly about kiirtan literature - how incredibly subtle and sensual it is at the same time as you can hear in the Gitagovinda by Jayadeva for example, (11th century), how it reflects the potential within each of us to experience infinite love for the divine. Click below to listen to a song I write in this bhava or 'mood', called 'I Kiss Your Fingers' on Longing album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhR_SEDBThI&t=605s
In this interview I talk to Amitabha (Erik Azzopardi) as we prepare to teach the Kiirtan Course together. We have been friends since 2004 when we both arrived in London. Now we are embarking on a new venture, one we are very excited abou. oClick Below to LIsten to' Mermaid', a song on UNity Hours II album, with Amitabha playing a beautful piano part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUIwDMoCGg
the Mermaid Kiirtan is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMmamKgD60
How to manifest a dream without giving up - its been a dream of mine to have a Kiirtan Academy but it could only happen after huge personal struggle and transformation
Jiivan and I talk about how we recorded Avarta Kiirtan 1 at sunrise Farm in County Clare, Ireland. It was a very collective /collaborative project!
Kiirtan Dance is not as common in the west as it is in the East. But how many of us have fallen in love watching someone dance...how important is it to be able to be in the Flow and feeling Bliss. Click the link to see Rarhi Kiirtan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJvLcXs7yh8
Today I interview Christina Tourin, Celtic Harp player, composer and leader of the International Harp Therapy Programme. We talk about her vision and how she started manifesting it firstly in one small city in Vermont, then watching it grow exponentially year after year to become the most successful harp Therapy programme in the world. WE also talk about her experience playing on the album Touched by The Sea together in Vermont. Expand the Dialogue Box and click the link to hear Tina and I play together. Thanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0zCPy5nxE
What Qualification do I think I have to be giving this Kiirtan Course?. Today I share an experience I had with my guru and the events in my life that happened after that. To hear the music click on the link below. It's of a friend, Dharma singing 'You are Mine' in Portuguese, but its really about sharing the spiritual journey with others and meaningful collaborations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr3WFtCuqus
I am excited and can't wait for it to begin. I am so looking forward to sharing with you my research and experience, so am launching my Online Kiirtan Course, Transform Your Kiirtan- Transform Your life..in a few days.. Are you Ready? Will you Come? I am definitely going to be there :) Expan he dialogue box to click the link below on the Shiva Gajan festival - rare footage of a Tantric Devotional Ceremony of Rarh, dedicated to Shiva. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXw8YKMpUp0&t=78s
Today I talk with Acarya Cirasmita from Vermont, USA, about her work with AMURTEL. She talks about the children in the AMURTEL CHildrens home. stories that will break your heart but stitch it up again full of love when you hear what she has to say.. Plus a little reminiscing about recording 'Touched by The Sea' album together in Vermont. Expand the Dialogue Box to Listen to 'How Can I say Goodbye' song. thank you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5W33HGT0yg
Today I share one very personal experience with my spiritual teacher, (who I call affectionately, Baba) when Baba said something very profound to me..Please click the link below to listen to Dharma Kiirtan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqwilnQEhpE
Today I interview Rajatakrishna, a superb musician and friend from Argentina. We have worked together on four major projects, 'Red Earth Fusion' album (Rajatakrishna was the sound engineer), two Brazilian performance tours and 'Kiirtan Live in Brazil' (recorded together). He is also spearheading the RAWA movement (Renaissance Artists and Writers Association) in Argentina and Brazil with his Online Global Concerts that feature a diverse range of artists from all around the world. Expand the dialogue box to listen to 'Oh Divine Mother' recorded in Brazil, in 2011. Thank you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbtqH2y6OU4
39/365 Sometimes it takes some creative thinking to satisfy others needs and yet not compromise ones own. So in making a diverse kiirtan concert I found I could stitch together 'Threads of Bliss' in a kiirtan style and hence sing only one mantra. Click the link below t Listen to Anand Sutram Part 1. The Creation Cycle, the Tantric philosophy of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. Expand the Dialogue Box and Click Below to listen to Ananda Sutram.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NcPFYc_gmU&t=260s
My special guest today is Anjali Silva, a brilliant singer/songwriter/kiirtaniya living in Olympia Washington, USA. We discuss Anjali's background in Latin American music, her kiirtan protection story and her experiences recording 'Red Earth Fusion Kiirtan' album together, among other things. click below for links of us playing together in 2008 and a track from Red Earth Fusion titled Shiva Ranjani Rarg kiirtan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsSTVY_X76g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoL1Hrx9sa4&list=OLAK5uy_mjPKRaWH3cFXMQ8wDmlYMcx7jk73Z2_-s
Three Big Mistakes a Kiirtaniya should Avoid at All Costs but which taught me some very important lessons.
Surrender Kiirtan: written in the early days in Australia at Yoga Lifestyle Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYnp1cVV1v0
36/365 I am now surrounded by deep red poppies when it used to be Japanese knotweed. In this process of moving from grief to motivation or nothingness to empowerment I find myself at a bit of a plateau at least for the moment. Click below to listen to Plateau (at 6:30), written in Vermont, USA at Cirasmita and Giridhara's place many years ago. Click below to listen to Plateau (6:30 mins).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhR_SEDBThI&t=2102s
How friends become family when you love what you are doing together - Michael Lloyd and I. Michael and I have known each other since the late 90s. Michael is a musician, writer and producer, and presently works for TVNZ on 'Shortland Street', among other things. His family, Sarah, Amelie and Sofia, and mine are very close and I am god -mother to his daughter Amelie. We have made more than 7 albums together. Today we chat about his musical tastes, his new play 'Small Town' showing in Paekakariki on the 15th July and about recording and mixing the album 'Sounds of Silence' at More FM studio, with Christoper Banks (keyboards), Jimi Dale (percussion), John Highsted (percussion), Jaochim Neupert (violin) and chorus singers, that features on the Kiirtan Guitar Album Collection being launched this month. Expand the dialogue box and click the link below to listen to Sounds of Silence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YmQE8aFzRQ
33/365 During this time, I find myself using Three very Powerful Tools to Protect myself and others during Covid. Listen to some uplifting kiirtan at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmP_FbypLRc&list=PLOk7i-zvC-Es8GmgP6AT4R9ysWjqR7BSN
Really excited about sharing my kiirtan collection with you..very soon! Coming from a serious rock bottom, to getting motivated again and finding my directions again is what its all about for me now. Click below to hear Puri Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynaVgxbXx-8&list=OLAK5uy_kGVYr2eSvO5_1gWic1nJ5VcH8Zyit1kj8
Love- Consciousness what is it? Today I talk briefly about my experience with the three biggest misconceptions Ive heard about people who meditate? and whats the role of music and kiirtan for a meditator? Expand the dialogue box and click below to hear the song Consciousness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1cQQjHgPIU
30/365 - Three Gigs in one day - I recount my very busy, but fulfilling day today- its been non stop, so I ask myself is it too much? probably but I am very grateful for the opportunity to connect with others. Expand the Dialogue Box and Click Link Below to Listen to Sohni Raga Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFn__tKaVYs&list=OLAK5uy_mjPKRaWH3cFXMQ8wDmlYMcx7jk73Z2_-s
What Kiirtan Expresses and How it's About Sharing that Specialness thats in each of us, and the world's Just is waiting for. Click Below to listen to: Cascading Tears Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lrxw78y5-E
28/365. So I have been working on a Kiirtan Presentation for the Path Of Bliss Online Retreat and heres some conclusions, some Kiirtan Juicy Bits, so you don't have to wait! Expand the Dialogue Box and Click the link Below to Hear Tiny Green Island in Irish and English:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8xBNtXo1qE
Kiirtan leaders are often stereotyped as being spaced out hippies. But if you look back at history you can see that the kiirtan leaders of the 11th to 16th centuries like Jayadeva, Chandidas and Caitanya.. were really radical!
Click here to hear a Kiirtan from Era Dynamic (2001) .. with scratching.. full drum kit and lots of other effects. (9.19)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXYI8hNVtA&t=558s
26/365 Today I briefly discuss my connection with indigenous peoples music - Richard Nunns, Hirini Melbourne, James Webster, Horomona Horo and many others, are Taonga Puoro Experts (sacred Instruments of the Maori). Their sounds resonate with spirituality of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and send out reminders of where we all come from, the one earth and spiritual homeland that we all share. Click the link below to listen to Spirit Voices (from Unity Hours III). I would really appreciate it if you would leave comments and feedback, thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV7gaixQheQ
25/365 Serial Kiirtan or Non Serial Kiirtan, which is it to be? A controversial subject for some.
Heres Grace Kiirtan, that came to me when Didi was away and her loving dog Grace became very unwell.
Click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV5GlBC_g9M
This kiirtan is on the Kiirtan Guitar Booklet, available on Amazon.
24/365 I am talking about the Online Global RAWA Concert I performed at this evening (Kavita joined me on Percussion) And Something I am very Excited about -A new Course I am giving 21 Days from now, Called 'Transform Your Kiirtan- Transform Your Life!' Click the Link Below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMwFsU_XOA4
How Victory Kiirtan was written and How I missed my Busking Pitch one day in the London Underground.. the very place and time when the London Bombing took place. Click the Link Below to listen to Victory Kiirtan. Thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbP2N-NWsao
22/365 Today I talk about my friend Brendan and busking down in the London Underground. I share a song that has been going round and round in my head the past few days, called 'In My Life I am Yours', dedicated to my Divine Friend
21/365 The Three Biggest Misconceptions about Kiirtan? Many people think that kiirtan is just some spontaneous devotional expression for example but if you ever go to Rarh and experience a traditional Kiirtan group perform you may be very surprised with what you discover.
Click the Link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxDAWI9b1kU
20/365 Kiirtan Blues - In todays podcast I am talking about how its possible to hear different styles and expressions in Kiirtan, some soulful, some very deep, some light, some joyful some soulful, so why is that?
Click here for Jhorchuta Raga Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=droh0fE5o-U
19/365 Here I briefly tell the story of how the song 'You are Mine' came about one day in London walking up the stairs at Morley Train station. It didnt take days or even hours to write.. it literally took about 5 minutes..
Listen to it here Live in Brazil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_UroWfA1A
And Especially Those of You Whose Father is not Present at this time. I tell the story of how, when I went to India to visit my spiritual teacher, affectionately called Baba, with my friend Kumudinii and her son who was only three years old, Babas response was very surprising!
Click this link to listen to Anand Sutram Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dydUUHDODMY&feature=youtu.be
17/365 Today I talk briefly about How Kiirtan can benefit your meditation, or 'concentrated thinking'. I realise that some people do kiirtan only and some only meditation, but whatever you do, kiirtan will bring profound benefits to your life. Here I share three powerful ways that kiirtan can aid your meditation.
Click here for 'You are Not Alone Kiirtan'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOczI36N--Q
Artwork By Yuktesha
16/365. Today I talk about our venture out to the Beach (after being 2 months in Lockdown) and Realising ON the Way, Oh NO! I have Kiirtan commitment But Had Forgotten To Bring My guitar! What to Do?
Click Here to Listen to the Irish Kiirtans we were singing today (In My Kiirtan Guitar Booklet)
Irish Travelling Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvXn4lN1VH4
For Grace Kiirtan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV5GlBC_g9M
The Shiva Song Vajra Kathora - This amazing song from Prabhat Samgiita Collection was written by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. I love the unusual rhythms of it and the enchanting melody, and the powerful effect that this raga has on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxcNvXSOl7M
Today I am reading a mystical story by Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar about the music of Shiva who played the vina in the palash Forest. One day while Prabhat was walking he could hear someone playing the vina so beautifully in the distance.. he searched and found the unknown musician and the two of them had a conversation.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoL1Hrx9sa4
Shiva Ranjani Raga by Jyoshna and Sisters (Red Earth Fusion Album)
13/365 In this Episode I talk about my experience in Rarh at Ananda Nagar the "city of Bliss' How when sitting and mediating on one Tantra Pith, 'Seat Where someone had attained Realisation', I saw in my minds eye a group of travelling musicians singing this particular melody. This melody became the Kiirtan 'Tantra Pith I', on the' Sounds of Silence' Album and is included in the Kiirtan Guitar Booklet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LRixErSHLc Tantra Pith I Kiirtan
In This Podcast I talk about how the Kiirtan Devii KIirtan came about, when I was on a Ten Day Meditation Retreat in India. Its a story about Love and Loss and how I realised what I felt deep down, after a very tragic event in my life. Its about how that feeling was expressed and Transformed Through a Song and Kiirtan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDZXHcW1YRk Devii Kiirtan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daqIjqybhPM - Busking in the London Underground
Today I talk Briefly about My Experiences Recording 'Touched By The Sea' Kiirtan Album in Vermont, USA in the 90's. Feeling a little bit of Culture Clash coming from NZ, I eventually managed to Feel At Home There When I Realised What the term 'Gods Own Country' Meant to Them, and With The Loving Support of My Hosts Giridhara and Cirasmita.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BTMl6CSBEU
In this episode I talk briefly about me New Kiirtan Course, called Transform your Kiirtan- Transform Your Life. Joining me is Didi Ananda Prama, Who is the Director of Sunrise Farm, an Organic Farm in Co Clare. She speaks about How Singing Kiirtan to Plants and the Happiness It Brings.
In This Podcast I talk briefly about the three different kind of Kiirtan styles. One in particular is Marai Kiirtan, the word marai has double entendre, it literally means 'circle' but the inner meaning is 'grind' for 'if you grind the name of Hari, you will become nectar to be drunk by the Divine' says Jagaran Mahato, Kiirtan expert, who transformed the lives of a group of young men from criminals to being a winning Kiirtan group.
This podcast tells the story of how I got my very own personal affirmation from my spiritual teacher, while singing the song 'Touched By The Sea" or 'Tiny Green Island' and was completely absorbed in bliss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5XH1YJ3yFA
In this Podcast I talk about while stacking turf I remembered how one amazing song taught me how to see the world differently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4hWDRbafe
In this Episode I tell the story of Grace, the Beautiful Dog at Sunrise Farm, and how the Kiirtan and Song (Bhajan) came to me.
Travelling home from Cork in Ireland one day with some friends after a harrowing day recording in a Dungeon like studio, this amazing Kiirtan came out!
It just goes to Prove that you Don't have to have a Guitar to Create Your Best Kiirtans and Songs. This is how it Really Happened!
Today I am very excited and moved because Michael sent me the Masters for my New Kiirtan Album -'Unity Hours III Kiirtan' that will go along with the Songs.
I feel very grateful to him for all the time and work he has put into it. I also feel moved as it represents the completion not only of this album but also of this phase of my life and the beginning of a new one.
All Kiirtan players desire to Feel Bliss and Be in the Flow when they are doing kiirtan, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. So Why is That?
Here I am sharing briefly something my kiirtan Teacher Sri Jagaran Mahato told me, so you can improve your kiirtan experience if you feel like you are missing out sometimes!
In my Origin story I talked about Kiirtan (aka Mantra Music or Kirtan), but I realised that some people have never heard of it! I describe briefly what it is, my first experience of Collective Kirtan, what I realised from it, and how one phrase from my Kiirtan Teacher Changed my life.
More About that Tomorrow!
From Nothingness to Reality to Empowerment -
From the view point of a Spiritualist/Musician/ LBGT/ Co Parent
This is a very brief yet honest story about how I came to be where I am today, what I've been through to get here, and what I am excited about right now.