namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

This is an amazing clip available on youtube about association, well edited and put together, it’s a must to be checked out

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OK, so for the time being I'm calling my band "The Sitapati Project". After all, it's all about me,right? ;-)

Check it out on Reverb Nation or Facebook.

For western readers of this blog this song may be an acquired taste. It has a beautiful melody and rhythm though doesn't it?

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I like artists of all kinds who try to spread Krishna consciousness through their art. Our Vaishnava tradition is a very appealing one because Krishna Himself, His form, name, activities, and His messages, are endlessly attractive and always fresh. For thousands of years devotees have used dance, graphic art, sculpture, architecture, poetry and music to convey something of the beauty of Krishna.

The great saint and revivalist, Bhaktivinode Thakura, wrote that in the future the kirtan of the holy name of Krishna would be sung in local languages and according to local musical traditions. These days young Vaishnavas in particular try to share not only the name of the Lord but also an uplifting message in the lyrics of their songs. Often they have to be cryptic in order to do that, conveying a feeling rather than direct teaching. Still others write more directly. They are straightforward in their lyrical content, often quoting chunks of scripture.

Sita-pati demonstrates a simple melody for Damodarastakam in 3/4 time for the harmonium or other keyboard

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates how to play the mrdanga for the 3/4 time version of Damodarastakam. e tete tete ta e ki ki te dha dha e dha dha te dha dha e dha dha te dha dha

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

This is Vijay prabhu playing a dadra taal kirtan in Melbourne, Australia

Prahlad shows something on mrdanga

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates a more complex melody for Damodarastakam in 3/4 time for the harmonium or other keyboard.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

This demonstrates how the mrdanga and cartals go together.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati and Prahlad demonstrate how to play the cartals for the Damodarastakam melody in 3/4 time.

Prahlad shows something on mrdanga

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates how to play guitar to accompany the Damodarastakam in 3/4 time.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

I just found these cool videos of Bablu singing traditional gaudiya vaishnava bhajans and demonstrating the mrdanga beats. For the uninitiated he is the most prominent representative of the Mrdanga sampradaya started by Narottama Das Thakur. Most people in Iskcon who know how to play tradition gaudiya vaisnava mrdanga learned from him or from someone who learned from him. For many years he taught gurukulis in Mayapura, he currently lives and teaches in Vrindavan

Lessons and instructions how to play vaisnava music (bhajan, kirtan)

The Hang Drum [wikipedia article], a melodic percussion instrument developed in Switzerland in 2000. Reminiscent of a steel drum. Check out the videos below that demonstrate its potential.

The wikipedia article above has links to two articles by the inventors, describing the physics of the drum.

Carmella Baynie doing kirtan at Atma Yoga, Brisbane, Australia.

Carmella Baynie @ Atma Yoga April 2008 from vraja dhama das on Vimeo.

This

plus this

equals...

Carmella is in Brisbane to do a concert and workshop. Last night she came to Atma to do kirtan.

We started out with some breathing and warming up exercises. The very first time I turned up to a kirtan there were two people - me and the Swami (Chandrasekhara Swami). I thought I was going to slip in the back and spectate. Instead it was the two of us sitting face to face on the floor and he tells me: "Ok, now we're going to sing."

Those of you who know me know that now I have no problem singing in public, but back then the only time I would sing was in the shower. Certainly not in public! So it was a little challenging...

This is a very nice way to gradually introduce people to using their voice, so that they can unleash it in praise of the Supreme Lord.