For a short while, he was actually part of the newly-forming Blue Oyster Cult – a massively popular rock band. Krishna DasĪnother artist of note in this sphere is Krishna Das, another American musician well known for his vocal performances of Kirtan. Some of his biggest songs / tracks are Govinda, Gopala and Mahadeva from his 2003 album “Music for Yoga and Other Joys”. He describes himself as a Kirtan artist and a sacred music composer. It has led to him being nominated for a Grammy. He is an American artist who has reached critical acclaim with his merging of Eastern and Western musical sounds, techniques and forms. While new Western audiences and followers have been receptive to practicing yoga and listening to kirtan music from South Asia, they have also added their own musical stylings to this ancient practice and its songs.Ī great contemporary example of an artist that has taken in the music associated with Kirtan and has integrated it with his own music (and culture to produce something new) is Jai Uttal. Kirtan in the WestĪs forms of yoga – including Hatha and Bhakti Yoga – spread around the world, it took the practice of Kirtan with it. The Guru Granth Sahib also says that Sikhs should aim to listen to Kirtan as often as possible to maintain a connection with God and cultivate devotion in their hearts. The Guru Granth Sahib says that followers and believers should “Become Gurmukh, chant and focus your meditation.” Kirtan chants and meditation prescribed in the Guru Granth Sahib are a way to keep the soul of people spiritual and pure during a dark age, or difficult times, by focusing the mind on the divine. The Guru Granth Sahib contains a multitude of ragas and talas – over 50 in total – which are used in Kirtan performances. In other words, the lyrics of a Sikh Kirtan are directly from the Guru Granth Sahib. In Sikhism, Kirtan involves singing sacred hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtan holds a position of huge importance in Sikhism. She is likely one of the most well-known singers from the Indian subcontinent, and has performed and popularized many bhajans in her lifetime – including a 1974 performance at the Royal Albert Hall, which was the first time anybody from India had performed there. Lata Mangeshakar, sometimes known as the Nightingale of India, has earned global acclaim and recognition for her performances in film soundtracks, as well as holding political office during her life. Bhajans in the Modern DayĪlthough an ancient art form, the genre has popular trend-setting bhajan singers, including Anup Jalota (who is credited with a many popular bhajans), and Narendra Chanchal who was important in popularizing the bhajans (songs) for Vaishno Mata and other Hindi devotional music world-wide. In a Bhajan Kirtan (satsang), there is a lead kirtaniya who leads the rest of the procession through the composition. Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Hanuman, Durga Ma, Lakshmi Ma, Saraswati Ma etc). Many bhajans prominently feature the names of dieties that they’re honoring (i.e. Bhajans focus on expressing love and devotion towards a deity. Photo by Vageesh sewa / CC BY Bhajan Kirtan in HinduismĪ bhajan is a devotional or spiritual song found in Hinduism. This is an expression (through chants, mantras or bhajans) of deep love and devotion to the divine. The sound of everyone’s voices coming together in song or chanting can generate healing energy for people, and which is the aim of the Kirtan. A chant with a number of voices contributing to it can be a powerful religious experience for everybody present. The repetition of a mantra in a group can bring people together spiritually. The power of Kirtan chants and meditation in Bhakti yoga is undeniable. As opposed to gyan or hatha yoga, it is the form (path) of yoga that emphasizes forming a loving and dedicated relationship to the Divine (God) through the arts, which helps to gain self-improvement and realization. Bhakti Yogaīhakti yoga (or bhakti marga) is the form of yoga associated with Kirtan (as opposed to the other forms of yoga). The meditation involves chanting or singing in a call and response style in various languages – including Sanskrit – in order to show devotion and love.
SHABAD KIRTAN LYRICS IN HINDI SERIES
Kirtan is a form of meditation focused on chanting a series of mantras to honor the divine, and worshipping God. Importantly, it has been a mainstay of devotional practice across many religions and belief systems throughout the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. It has spread internationally alongside the rise in the various forms of yoga that have reached the Western world.