Kirtan, Ragas & Pastimes

Krishna Kirtan Music is a weekly Kirtan, Ragas and Pastimes class.  Each week is a compact mini workshop focusing on a different kirtan, its meaning, melodic raga and Divine pastimes infused within the mantra in focus. 

The class itself goes for approx 50-70mins (depending on each week's curriculum), then remaining longer on the Zoom call to go over any questions regarding the mantras, pastimes or ragas, and to connect and build community within the global Kirtan Family.

Sri and Joakin come from the rich bhakti and kirtan tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.  The practice of Kirtan as a sadhana or spiritual practice was famously promoted in the 15th century by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in West Bengal, and has since spread worldwide by ecstatic Saints, Sadhus and Kirtaniyas from many disciplic traditions - what a blessing! 

Personal bhajan is potent, but coming together in 'sanga' (association, assembly, company, community), this is Kirtan a.k.a. Sankirtan... the 'chant and dance' experience that has ignited a spiritual renaissance and awakened Love of God in our hearts.  This coming together to chant in community is recommeneded as especially powerful in this day and age of Kali Yuga. 

It's important we understand the meaning of the mantras, to have a mental, emotional focus for our kirtan meditation.  Then also, it is helpful to have potent melodies that facilitate the mood of the mantra.  Hence, study of the underlying melodic ragas is a potent tool to deepen our kirtan practice.  Finally it's important to learn more about the pastimes and Divine personalities that are the namesakes of our mantras.  This approach allows our kirtan practice to flourish and be a source of strength in our daily lives.

Sri Keshava dasi is a disciple of Hrdayananda Das Goswami, and grand disciple of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami within the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition, a lineage directly descending from Kirtaniya Chaitanya Maha Prabhu.  This lineage extends unbroken through earlier eons to Vyasa, Narada, Brahma and Krishna Himself.  Her Classical Indian music study of Hindustani owes great gratitude to Rangini School of Music and Guru Sanjukta Das Gupta, as well as other greats such as Tulika Gosh.  Sri is forever indebted to her Gurus. 

Joakin is an an accomplished musician and percussionist, graduating from Berklee School of Music, Boston MA.  He plays mrdgana and karatalas in kirtan, as well as instruments and rhythmns from around the world, in particular Ghana and Brazil.