Kirtan Course

Dates: 02/07/2018 - 12/08/2018
Mode of Delivery: Onsite

• Course Summary
• Aims of the course
• Learning Outcomes
• Programme modules
• Daily Schedule
• Prices
• Calendar
• Registration and bookings
• FAQ Kirtan Course
• Contact

•  
  The Yuga-Dharma for this age is non other than kirtanad eva krsnasya (SB. 12.3.51): kirtan of Krishna’s holy names. Understanding this brings forward the fact that one should as much as possible nurture their comprehension and understanding of kirtan. For this reason we have developed a systematic course for ISKCON members and Gaudiya Vaisnavas which will introduce any enthusiastic soul into the many depths of congregational chanting. 

  Over the period of two months the course will uncover the basics of kirtan practice by the facilitation of experienced kirtaniyas, chanters, and teachers such as Sacinandana Swami, Jahnavi Harrison and others. The course covers historical, theoretical and practical aspects of kirtan, which includes an in-depth beginners study in singing, harmonium, karatals and mrdanga playing.

  Vision statement

  Our Kirtan Course prepares students for a genuine kirtan experience, giving them the opportunity to enrich themselves in their chanting to the point of having no other desire than to share the knowledge with others.

•  

  Course aims are to empower students to deepen their understanding of kirtan and to offer practical lessons in kirtan. It is done via three broader aims of education:

  Aim 1) The philosophy, moods and skills for chanting the holy names

  

  Narottam dasa Thakur and Srinivas Acarya

  By teaching participants to chant with the proper understanding (sambandha) and in the proper way (abhideya), we wish to empower them to chant with a genuine taste.

  Sambandha: The knowledge of who the object of kirtan is (Krishna) and who the person doing kirtan is (a soul, part of Krishna). This is the foundation of Krishna kirtan. When properly engaging in kirtan, one will taste love of Godhead on increasing levels.

  Abhideya: The means to attain the goal (prayojana) works only when properly executed. Therefore the first module will place a lot of emphasis on the right execution of kirtan.

  The taste for chanting is most important, so that the devotees continue to chant the holy names throughout their lives with increasing appreciation. The kirtan course aims to succeed by addressing this need to chant with genuine devotional taste. To this end it will hold workshops, scheduled kirtans before the Deities at Radhadesh, instructions on good japa, and talks (katha) about Krsna.

  Aim 2) The history and tradition of kirtan

  Students will learn some history of kirtan and how kirtan was done by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. For this, extensive research has been going on about the early writings of Mahaprabhu’s kirtaniyas and about the tradition of kirtan (e.g., the kirtans of the three Ghosh brothers, Narottam dasa Thakur, Srinivas Acarya, etc.)

  Aim 3) The practice of kirtan: voice and instruments

  To train students in skillful singing and playing of instruments in the mood of glorifying the Lord, we will help them develop favorable attitudes for leading or taking part in kirtans.

• 

  Students learn how to chant the holy names with a relationship to Krishna. They learn about the art of kirtan done in the time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and learn prayers of Vaisnava Acaryas. They learn proper conduct – such as humility, both through discussions and in practical application. They practice instruments and learn a set number of melodies on harmonium and a set number of mantras on the mridanga. Students will receive a deeper understanding of yuga-dharma, both in terms of their own practice and in terms of sharing kirtan in a spirit of Vaisnava compassion.

  In terms of their own practice, students will be given the opportunity to:

  

  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s kirtan

  • gain a much deeper appreciation for chanting the holy names in japa and kirtan;
  • develop the right intention (sankalpa) for doing kirtan, which is to please Krishna
  • imbibe Vaisnava values such as a service attitude in both general and kirtan-specific ways
  • learn about Sri Caitanya and His associates’ ways of doing kirtan and their kirtan pastimes
  • deepen their knowledge of the history and philosophy of kirtan
  • practice the instruments with the experienced teachers
  • become inspired to spread kirtan through events like harinams, nama yajnas & large festival public kirtans
  • get an overview of kirtan projects throughout Europe

• 

  

  Surabhi Kunja leading Kirtan

  Modules taught by residential teachers

  1. Harmonium by Krishangi-lila
  2. Karatals by Surabhi Kunja
  3. Mridanga by Madhva
  4. Vocal by Krishangi-lila
  5. Residental teachers assistant by Sundari

  Modules taught by visiting teachers

  5. The Theology of the Holy Name Based on Harinam Cintamani by Sacinandana Swami – CONFIRMED
  6. The experience of kirtan in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, a historical prospective by Kadamba Kanana Swami – CONFIRMED
  7. Kirtana as Sadhana and Sadhya by Mahendra – CONFIRMED
  8. Prayers of Bhaktivinoda Thakura by Jahnavi Harrison – CONFIRMED
  9. Humility by Bhuta Bhavana

  
  

  • The Theology of the Holy Name Based on Harinam Cintamani by Sacinandana Swami

    
    

    Subjects include:

    • The best type of sadhana and how to perform it for best results
    • The secrets of attentive chanting
    • Shadow chanting (namabhasa) and how to move on to the next stage
    • Entering a substantial relationship with the Holy Name and the Holy Named
    • The eigth offense and its remedy
    • The difference between belief and faith
    • Tasting ecstasy – a guideline to ecstatic nama-bhajan
    • Srila Prabhupada’s amazing relationship with the Holy Name and lessons we can learn from that

  • The experience of kirtan in Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes, a historical prospective by Kadamba Kanana Swami (not confirmed, depends on health)

    
    

    We will follow descriptions of kirtan in excerpts from Lord Caitanya’s biographies and read from Bhakti Ratnakara about Narottama Dasa Thakur in Kethuri, with the aim of penetrating into the depths of their experience doing kirtan, with the hope of deepening our experience of kirtan.
    

  • Kirtana as sadhana and sadhya by Mahendra Dasa

    

    Mahendra Dasa

    When instructing Tapana Misra about the goal of life (sadhya) and the process to attain it (sadhana), Lord Caitanya explained that the basic principle of success is to chant the holy name (nama sankirtana). In this module we will review the usage of “kirtana” and related words in the core Gaudiya Vaisnava scriptures (Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta) with the aim of understanding the theological underpinnings for the essential practice of chanting the holy names of Krsna. The goal will be to enrich the students’ personal appreciation of and commitment to kirtana, and to enable them to comprehensively present the method of chanting to a broad audience. Additional resources will be the Vaisnava acaryas’ commentaries and related articles from the Journal of Vaisnava Studies.
    

  • Sounding Out Devotional Traditions by Krishna Kshetra Swami

    In this module we will explore the broad Indic world of sound and music to see how devotional musical traditions have both expressed and thought about music and its components, from ancient to recent times. Our twofold aim is to see how our Caitanya Vaisnava musical tradition may be located in the wider Indic world, and to help equip students to be able to intelligently articulate this rich tradition to their future audiences. Our main resources will be writings of Prof. Guy L. Beck, ethnomusicologist and author of Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound, and Sonic Liturgy: Ritual and Music in Hindu Tradition. As much as possible, we will hear and discuss recorded samples of relevant chanting and musical performance.

  
  

  • Prayers of Bhaktivinoda Thakura by Jahnavi Harrison

    

    Jahnavi Harrison

    The songs of Bhaktivinoda Thakura are a wellspring for thirsty travellers on the spiritual quest. Though he worked full time as an Indian high court judge during the time of the British Raj, he was a prolific writer, composing hundreds of songs – many of which have become standard prayers in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Srila Prabhupada said of the power of these songs: “…there is no need of understanding the language. It is just like a thunderburst. Everyone can hear the sound of thunder-there is no misunderstanding. Similarly, these songs are above the material platform, and they crack like thunder within your heart.

    In this module, we will connect with Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura through prayer, through studying his life, and most importantly, by learning and singing some of his most powerful songs. This experience can be a revelation for any aspiring kirtaniya. In a short time, you will discover how his devotional prayers are like both the road map, the food and the best friends on the journey of the spiritual seeker – providing guidance, nourishment and hope. They also enrich every kirtan experience, revealing a whole new dimension to chanting the maha mantra.
    

• 

  There are usually two types of schedules for the duration of the kirtan course. One for the time without visiting teachers and another when a visiting teacher is present. Both of these schedules are revised and sometimes fully modified up to the weekend before the week itself for the benefit of the students. Although this might seem quite last minute, the reality is that we cannot in advance schedule weeks with precision as we are not aware until then of the advancement of each individual student and the necessities they might have. Therefore, and if necessary according to the students and teachers needs, we revise the schedule in a way that the best can be configured for the benefit of all involved. 

  Knowing this, here is a tentative Daily schedule when visiting teachers are present:

  

  Krishna Kshetra Swami, Kadamba Kanana Swami, Sacinandana Swami, Jahnavi, and Mahendra are some of the visiting teachers

  • 04:30-07.45 Temple program
  • 07:45-08:45 Bhagavatam class (regularly given by the visiting teachers on related topics)
  • 09:00-10:00 Breakfast
  • 10:00-11:00 Ensemble Class (Mandatory group kirtan which serves as practice session and during which resident teachers guide the students in properly doing kirtan) and/or group classes with the instruments teachers and/or private classes with instruments teachers
  • 11:00-13:30 Main Session with the visiting teacher
  • 13:30-15:00 Lunch break
  • 15:00-18:00 Ensemble Class and/or group classes with the instruments teachers and/or private classes with instruments teachers
  • 18:00-20:15 Free time (if required, time for services or practice)
  • 20:15-21:15 Evening kirtan in the temple ( students are expected to join in these daily evening sessions)

  Daily Schedule without visiting teachers:

  

  Krishangi-lila is one of the residential teachers

  • 04:30-07:45 Temple program
  • 07:45-08:45 Bhagavatam class
  • 09:00-10:00 Breakfast
  • 10:00-13:30 Ensemble Class (Mandatory group kirtan which serves as practice session and during which resident teachers guide the students in properly doing kirtan) and/or group classes with the instruments teachers and/or private classes with instruments teachers
  • 13:30-15:00 Lunch break
  • 15:00-18:00 Ensemble Class and/or group classes with the instruments teachers and/or private classes with instruments teachers
  • 18:00-20:15 Free time (if required, time for services or practice)
  • 20:15-21:15 Evening kirtan in the temple ( students are expected to join in these daily evening sessions)
  

  Sacinandana Swami provides the students with a week long intensive retreat on the topic of the Holy Nam

  *Furthermore, please note the important facts that the first week, the week with Sacinandana Swami, and the last week, will all look quite different to the presented schedule as these are key weeks during which we offer a different and much more adapted program to the participants

• 1) Accommodation (full course)

  

  Room in the College Building

  1. Temple ashram (room with two beds, shared bathroom): €250
  2. Shared room in Radhadesh Community: €330
  3. Single room in Radhadesh Community: €450

  2) Food (full course)

  Radhadesh temple kitchen (breakfast, lunch and light dinner): €300

  3) Tuition (full course)

  Fee for the whole course is: €800

  Two additional days are included. Every extra day should be paid €20 more (food included).

• Kirtan Course 2017 Google Calendar (tentative)

• You can submit your Kirtan Course 2018 application using the link below. Applications will be reviewed immediately. The total number of students is limited to a maximum of 16.

  Kirtan Course Application Form

• FAQ Kirtan Course

• 

  Manu Magnin

  Manu is a festival organizer at Radhadesh, where he was born and grew up. After completing his public education as a teenager, he earned a B.A. in Vaisnava Theology (Bhaktivedanta College/Chester University) and is now a fulltime member of the Radhadesh community. He has spent lots of time on spiritual tours in India, North America and European countries. He takes part every evening, along with other young devotees, in the last evening kirtan in the Radhadesh temple.

  Manu will be happy to answer all of your questions, but before emailing him please be sure you have read through all Kirtan Course texts, as most of the questions are answered there. Manu’s email is: manu@radhadesh.com

  Videos, articles, stories… all related to the Kirtan you can read here Kirtan Blog

  If you want to be informed about the development of the program, please join the Kirtan Course Mailing List