The first time I went to a Kirtan, it was an event held at a yoga studio. Knowing that I was a musician, the studio owner suggested that I attend.

 

When I walked into the room, I saw a small musical band seated on the floor holding exotic instruments ready to be played. Attendees were seated on the floor, as well as in chairs. 

 

The Kirtan leader mentioned that we would be chanting Sanskrit Mantra and after a few meditative breaths, the music began. I remember feeling a bit suspect as attendees closed their eyes, totally unselfconscious of what that might look like to anyone outside themselves. 

 

And then the chanting started. Back and forth, the lead artist would sing a short phrase to the slow rhythmic music, and the attendees would then sing it back. Although I was a stranger to this language that I had only minimally been introduced to through yoga classes, somehow the sounds were easy to grasp and imitate. 

 

On and on it went, until I too closed my eyes and entered in …

 

Needless to say, that night I could not sleep. My body seemed to float above my bed until the music and the mantras I had sung earlier that evening, slowly lulled me to sleep. 

 

The next day, I drove to New York, about a 2 ½ hour drive and bought my first harmonium.

 

This was 18 years ago and I have been recording, chanting and sharing the sacred art of Kirtan ever since.