Daily Tune On - Krishna Das a “Pilgrim Heart”
I’m about to go to a yoga class in a little bit, but wanted to get some writing done before leaving my apartment and I was thinking about who I would want to write about today or what I’m in the mood to listen to or research. Then it hit me, even though this is a departure from my usual rock, jazz, blues, folk “Daily Tune On,” today I decided I wanted to write about the Sanskrit singer Krishna Das who performs and records Indian chants called “Kirtans.”
Having been a yogi for many years Krishna Das has been a favorite of mine when listening to that vein of music, to which I have to confess I don’t listen to a lot. I’m not really big into “New Age” and most “Spiritual” music. Musically I like some of it OK, but I don’t go out of my way to listen to it or buy it. But I’ve always been drawn by the sound of Krishna Das’ voice and find myself playing his music and listening to it even when I’m not in class. His music falls into a different category. It’s one of devotional music, but one that I can relate to and do, and I really enjoy it. There’s one chant he does where he intertwines “Amazing Grace” into the chant and it is just beautiful. I have bought several of his CD’s including “Pilgrim Heart” and “Door of Faith,” and if they were vinyl they would be well worn.
There’s a sort of deep drone to his voice that is very musical, almost like another instrument and very hypnotic. I use to teach yoga and I would play his CD during my class. Then I’d have to hold myself back from singing along. Sometimes I was successful and sometimes not. My students use to find it funny. They knew that I worked in music, use to sing, and was drawn to vocals. And on occasion I just couldn’t help myself and the chants would roll off my tongue and I would be humming and singing while aligning students and instructing my class, but somehow it all flowed together. I also use to open class with a call and response chant, many times using a Krishna Das like arrangement, as in my minds eye he was the “chant” guru. I have to say it was really beautiful and I loved doing it.
Krishna Das as many would think is not Indian. He was actually born on Long Island, but found himself getting involved with eastern philosophy and spirituality when he lived with “Ram Das” after Ram Das’ return from his first trip to India. This led to Krishna Das going to India himself where he stayed and studied for three years with guru, Maharaj-ji. It was here where he learned the many chants he sings and all about the custom of “Kirtans.” But it was through his many subsequent years of study and multiple pilgrimages back to India, where he met teachers from many traditions, that these teachings were absorbed in his person. And that is what one feels when he sings, the culmination of all those years, the depth of his life journey. It is within this context that his voice reaches out and draws you in with its big warm seductive tone blending with the harmonium in one big pool of spirit.
To learn more about Krishna Das I suggest going to his website. I’ve included the link below. And if you want to hear a cut from the Krishna Das CD “Pilgrim Heart,” I’ve included a link to a chant he sings with “Sting” called “Mountain Hare,” but I have to warn you it’s long. For easy reference cut and paste either of these links into your browser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpdSh8VYd4
http://www.krishnadas.com/
November 12th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I’m currently reading Eat, Pray, Love and just started the second section on India, ashrams, sanskrit, prayer so found this piece interesting. I may even have to buy some of this ‘music’. Thanks for this piece.