New York Times On Kirtan

Two days ago, The New York Times published a front page article on the increasing interest in Kirtan. Read all about it here.

Surely Not!

There's a website where bloggers can go to discover what personality their blog has. Curiosity got the better of me, and I entered our blog in it. What came up is an amusing contrast to our logo of a peacefully absorbed chanter, yet methinks there may be some particles of truth to it. What do you think?


ESTP - The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities. The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Eighteenth Century Kirtan.

Here is a detail from an etching by 18thc. Flemish artist, Balthazar Solvyns, of a Calcutta kirtan. Apart from the garb, and the outdoorness, it could be an etching of our kirtans in Oxford! The same drums and hand-cymbals are there - although in the centre you can see someone holding a large trumpet; we don't have one of those yet.

It all goes to show that the ancient tradition of kirtan is alive and thriving, and that the vision of the Bengali chanter Sri Chaitanya over five hundred years ago, that kirtan would spread to every town and village of the world, is on it's way to fulfillment. At the time his vision must have seem far-fetched - his country was being overrun by the Moslems as he spoke and was soon to be dominated by the British... yet here we are.

The etching is included in an excellent book by Robert L. Hardgrave A Portrait of the Hindus which you can investigate here.

Kirtan by Candlelight.

January's candle-lit kirtan had a special quality. A strong spiritual atmosphere rose up as the large gathering sang out heartily. This was a happy ending to a near disaster! Mariola, who was to have been our lead singer for the day came down with 'flu that morning, and it was only thanks to Ranchor's stepping into the breach at the eleventh hour that we had a kirtan at all! Thank you Ranchor. And thanks to everyone who came and made it so good.

It seemed easier, somehow, to focus on the chanting in the softer lighting. The evening ended with delicious pizza, fudge and peppermint tea.

One chanter wrote to us: "That was a wonderful kirtan yesterday! I really liked the candle-lit atmosphere and the lovely mood. Ranchor is perfect for Oxford. And it was wonderful to see so many new faces. I thought the fir-cone decor was chic and seasonal and cosy and Cathedral-like all at the same time."

Mariola is better now and plans to be with us in February.

Many thanks to Claire for these rich, Rembrandtish photos! (They get bigger and better if you click on them) . Podcasts coming soon!

Crowd goes wild in Washington, D.C.

While crowds went wild yesterday, at Barrack Obama's inauguration ceremony, people danced and chanted "Obama, Obama!"

The previous day, thousands gathered at the Church of the Holy City, within sight of the White House, and burst into exuberant chanting and dancing to ancient, sacred mantras - "O Rama, O Rama"



The first "Inaugural" kirtan, Chant4change, was a huge success. Tickets were sold out days in advance, and to facilitate those who hadn't managed to get one, there was a live webcast. All the most famous American kirtaniyas appeared and sang, such as Jai Uttal, Krishna das, Gaura vani, Shiva Rea, David Stringer and more.

From the very young to the quite elderly, everyone there felt it to be a tremendous occasion. Gaura vani who conceived the idea and orchestrated the event is a young kirtaniya of extraordinary energy and dedication - he has a website here. from which you can buy his CD. I have it and it is excellent!

More Jahnavi...

Jahnavi chanting during her trip to the USA. (See previous post!)

Jahnavi

Jahnavi Harrison came to our Oxford Kirtan in November, with her sister Tulasi, and led us in rousing style. She's written a report of her visit to Oxford in her blog The Little Conch. You can read it here. Jahnavi has been taking part in kirtan since birth (and before!) and now, in her early twenties, has blossomed into a talented kirtaniya, in demand all over the world with her violin and singing. Most recently, she has toured in South Africa and the USA. Jahnavi's blog is worth reading for it's thoughtful posts about her life and her honest struggles for spirituality. If you're a blog reader you might like to check it out.

Rumour has it that we may have another visit from Jahnavi soon; we look forward to that...

The January Kirtan...

...is a Kirtan by Candle-light!

Mariola from Poland and Meru from Sweden will lead us in a variety of chants and mantras, accompanied by harmonium, clay drums and kartals. Refreshments of a delicious kind will be served afterwards.

Join us if you can!

Sunday, January 18th. The Friends Meeting House, 43 St Giles. 4.00 p.m.

Chant For Change...

This jovial cartoon was designed for Chant4Change. Chant4Change, an intrepid group of chanters in Washington DC, have organised a prestigious kirtan event for the inauguration of the new president, next week. You can read about it and even buy a tee-shirt here. If any of our readers live in Washington, there are still some tickets left. And Mr Obama, if you are reading this - why not go along too! All proceeds to charity.

I like the way the cartoon shows chanting as transcending the differences between so many designations and bringing all into a consciousness of harmony and delight. And the inference in the name chant4change that the change so many people are hoping and longing for can only come from a purified heart, free from the negative qualities of greed and selfish desires.

The inspiration for the cartoon must surely have come from the episode pictured below of the medieval saint Sri Chaitanya, chanting and dancing with wild animals in Jarakhanda forest.

December Kirtan Report and Pics.

In December our Oxford kirtan group was joined by Ranchor Prime, who led us to a blissful kirtan experience. Ranchor gave a talk about the role the heart, mind and body take in the process of chanting. He described how chanting is not a mechanical process, it happens not on our tongues, but in our hearts. It is a transcendental inner experience. When we pronounce the syllables, the heart begins resonating with the sound.

Again we realised that there is nothing like the magic of chanting together with all kirtan participants adding their energy to the chant.

Many thanks to Irina for the report and to Pavel for the photos.

Vegetarian Mince Pies

We served mince-pies at last Sunday's kirtan and a couple of people asked for the mince-meat recipe, not having realised that most mince-pies are not vegetarian (they contain suet). So, it being the season, here it is. (It's very easy!):

350 g (3/4 lb) fairly sharp eating apples - peeled and finely chopped

25 g (1 oz) 1 tbls candied peel

2 tbls (50 g) 2 oz almonds - skinned, blanched and cut into fine slivers

125 g (1/4 lb) 2/3 cup green (seedless) grapes - halved

225 g (1/2 lb) 1 1/2 cups raisins

225 g (1/2 lb) 1 1/2 cups currants

125 g (1/4 lb) sultanas

grated rind and juice 1 lemon

2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) ground cinnamon

2.5 ml (1/4 tsp) cloves

little freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup (125 g) 1/4 lb Barbados brown sugar

2 tbsp (25 g) 1 oz butter

120 ml (8 tbls) 1/2 cup red grape juice

Method: Place apples, sugar and butter in a pot and cook, stirring, until apples are soft. Combine with all the other ingredients and leave to stand for a day or several hours.

The battle within

This is not a reflection of what happens at our kirtan sessions... but thought you might enjoy this one:



...or is this what happens in our hearts when we chant? :)

December Kirtan This Sunday.

Our good friend Ranchor Prime will be leading the chanting this month, for a heart-warming winter kirtan.

Ranchor has many years experience as a leader of kirtans - beginning as a choirboy at Westminster cathedral. He is the author of several books on spiritual life and Vedic texts, including his telling of the epic Ramayana, which he wrote in conjunction with a Channel Four series.

He is also an adviser on religion and conservation to the Worldwide Fund for Nature in Britain and India and responsible for organising the planting of hundreds of trees in the pilgrim town of Vrindavana.

Ranchor's kirtans are meditative and melodious - so come, if you can, and join the throng for resounding kirtan...like this!

Christian Kirtan...

Slightly old news by now - but befitting the Christmas season - is this CD brought out in May, by monks at an ancient monastery in the Vienna Woods. They sing Gregorian chant every day as part of their devotions and were 'discovered' by a recording company, when they posted a video of themselves on YouTube.

They say: "The chant opens our hearts. We hope it purifies our souls and helps us regain clarity, light, strength and peace. Where there is chaos, we hope to restore order. Where there is emptiness we find meaning, and where there is sadness, joy can return."

Here's a sample of their singing: Chant