KIRTAN - THE GREAT MANTRA FROM THE HIMALAYAS VOL 1
Various Artists
Price: £11.49 inc. VAT (£9.78 ex. VAT)
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Release Date: 11-05-2004
Label: Karuna / Triloka
Catalog Number: KARCD82036
Barcode: 801298203629
Musical Style: New Age
Reviews:
Produced by Mitchell Markus and the renowned American kirtan chanter Krishna Das, Kirtan: The Great Mantra From the Himalayas is a field recording that captures the hypnotic, transformative power of chanting the name of the divine. Kirtan, which simply means chanting the name of God, is a repetitive mantra that facilitates introspection and meditation. These very simple kirtans, sung by ordinary men who were moved to leave their everyday lives and dedicate themselves to chanting, are completely captivating. The kirtans alter the reality of listeners, infusing the air with a palpable sense of connection and joy. Not even the sound of coughing observers disturbs the experience!
In the liner notes, Das describes his experience of recording the voices of these men: 'Sitting and singing with these kirtan walas was one of the most inspiring and uplifting experiences of my life. They were simple people who had the faith that by chanting the (divine) name they would be able to cross over this ocean of sorrow and arrive in an inner world, where there was peace and love. It was with this longing that we sat and sang and watched the hours and days flow by.' Enough said. - Mara Applebaum/NewAgeRetailer - 09/04
Description:
Over the last 10 years as the Yoga movement in America - and the West - has grown, Kirtan or devotional chanting has emerged as a path for people to find their own inner voice and spiritual heart. The most well known of the artists performing Kirtan are Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Bhagavan Das, all of whom spent many years in India absorbing the culture, music and spiritual traditions. It was in the foothills of the Himalayas in a small temple that they sat with the Kirtan wallas (purveyors) who chanted the Maha Mantra (Great Chant) 18 hours a day. The field recordings presented here were recorded over 25 years ago and capture the source of their inspiration. Stark and emotive, these singers employ the simplest delivery. Accompanied by only harmonium, manjira (cymbals) and dholak (drums) they create a metronomic beat and underlying drone with truly trance inducing results. In its heartfelt expression chanting has been likened to modern American Gospel music; and like that devotional form and that of the qawaali sufis of Pakistan, the Kirtan practioner chants to arrive at an ecstatic state. The essence of Kirtan, of the mantra, is the essence of their path: a direct connection to the Divine without effort or embellishment.
