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"Few chant leaders of today have the vocal range and flexibility of Vaiyasaki Das. A kirtan extraordinaire, Vaiyasaki Das’ music evokes the ancient and timeless experience of chanting and carries you to soul of India. With a powerful combination of classical vocals, traditional instrumentation, and bhav (devotion), Vaiyasaki delivers an unmistakable presence to his music. In short, his bhajans and kirtan capture the mind and heart."
-Ragani, founder of the International Kirtan Foundation
"In today's world of 'McYoga' and 'pop kirtan,' Vaiyasaki's bhajans & kirtan are welcome relief for those who are serious about the vibrational and devotional qualities of classical sankirtan. When I listen to Vaiyasaki, I feel connected to India's spiritual roots and her Bhakti Yoga traditions. These bhajans uplift the spirit, refresh the soul, like a trip to Vrindaban, without the jet lag." -Rev. Prem Anjali, Ph.D. Editor, Integral Yoga Magazine
"Like alchemy the music of Vaiyasaki has the right caliber of love and energy to reach you through the peepholes to your soul, no matter how fractured and tiny, transforming it into something innocent and free. It contains the effortless devotion of a child; it is traveling to India free of charge. It is a meditative ride through the Himalayas, it is the boundless joy that comes for no reason surprising you every time, it is the very fragrance of one's heart opening, the one true blessing. Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih..."
-Shivani Loka-Laksmi, producer of the upcoming film Temple of Bagan
"Vaiyasaki Das's kirtan music is imported from the spiritual world. His voice is a gift from the gods, a blessing from Lord Krishna. When one hears his otherworldly vocals, the heart opens and the mind becomes soothed. He transports listeners to a divine realm, wherein every word is a song and every step is a dance. Making use of prodigious recording skills and his innate musical talents, his CDs reflect this spiritual phenomenon, enabling listeners to experience sonic bliss."
-Steven J. Rosen, author, Yoga of Kirtan
"It’s not easy to lead good kirtan, to create that experience. And Vaiyasaki Das does good kirtan.”
-Swami Rama - Himalayan Institute.
"Vaiyasaki Das' voice, his interpretation of mantras, and his impressive ability to play harmonium touches deep within our heart. His chanting gives peace to the mind, allowing us to connect with our soul, our true self." -Renata Sumar Gaertner Integral Yoga - Jai Vida!, Brazil
"Thank you so much, master kirtan-kara Sri Vaiyasaki Das for giving us the ladder of melodies to climb to the songs of the stars..."
-Swami Veda Bharati. Rishikesh, India.
"It is really a pleasure to listen to Vaiyasaki Das' sacred music. These powerful vibrations enter deep within each of our cells and open our hearts to unconditional love." -Márcia DeLuca, Ciymam - São Paulo Brazil.
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VAIYASAKI DAS:
Internationally recognized for his musical abilities to perform the ancient art form of Kirtan & Bhajan, Vaiyasaki Das provides a rare opportunity to experience a taste of authentic devotional music from the Vedic tradition.
Though born in London, England, Vaiyasaki Das came of age in Winnipeg, Canada. After many years in the music business - and a personal search for the divine -- he is now one of the premier singers on the kirtan circuit. Starting out as a rock and blues guitarist with a penchant for singing, his taste for Indian culture came at an early age.
By 1970, he found himself back in London and enamored by Krishna devotion. Soon, in 1973, he was committed to the path of devotion, or bhakti-yoga, and, just two years later, he received formal initiation from His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
On his Guru’s request he journeyed to India in 1975, both for personal purification and to proclaim the renaissance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's bhakti movement. He travelled the entire subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, serving the mission of bhakti-yoga.
By 1978, he arrived in Bangladesh, where he imbibed the culture through his pores, becoming fluent in Bengali and learning the ways of the local people. On a boat trip down the Meghna River, he chanced upon a local kirtan band on their way to a festival. Deciding to follow these happy minstrels and their soulful kirtan music, he would also attend that same festival, changing his life forever. It was there that he discovered the ancient Bengali art of raga-kirtan, which touched his soul in the deepest possible way. Never before had he heard such angelic singing, and he resolved to use his own considerable vocal talents to spread this technique around the world. He returned to London with his own style of kirtan, a blend of ancient Bengali and modern contemporary music.
His first album was released in 1982 followed by numerous CDs, which are now considered seminal in the yoga/kirtan/world music universe.
Today Vaiyasaki Das is a much sought-after performer, conducting workshops, doing concerts, and leading yoga festivals and retreats worldwide. Sharing his heart through music and chanting is the basis of his life. He has delighted audiences and taught Bhakti-yoga in 64 countries with people from all walks of life and cultures, and performs his music with a mission to uplift the consciousness of the planet.
His considerable knowledge of the vast repertoire of Indian bhajans and kirtans has provided the foundation for a new generation of artists, in the flourishing genre of music for yoga and mantra meditation.
Vaiyasaki Das's CDs include: The Way of Love, Charana Kamal, Kirtan Rasa, Hari-Nam-Ananda, Transcendence, Vrindavan Chandra, Chaitanya Chandra, Ratha-Yatra USA, The Turning Point, Best of Vaiyasaki, Sri Krishna Divya Nam -the beautiful divine name, & Kirtan Explosion -high energy kirtans.
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"I discovered the ancient Bengali art of raga kirtan and was moved like never before. Never before had I heard such singing!"
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jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer
viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam
kathamapi sakrdattam muktidam praninam yat
paramam-amrtam-ekam jivanam bhusanam me All glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure.
-Brhad-Bhagavatamrta 1.9 |
namany anantasya hata-trapah pathan
guhyani bhadrani krtani ca smaran
gam paryatams tusta-mana gata-sprhah
kalam pratiksan vimado vimatsarah Thus, I began chanting the holy name and fame of the Lord by repeated recitation, ignoring all formalities of the material world. Such chanting and remembering of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord are benedictory. So doing, I travelled all over the earth, fully satisfied, humble and unenvious.
-Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.6.26 |
naham tisthami vaikunthe yoginam hrdayesu va
mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada My dear Narada, actually I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I reside in the heart of the yogis, but I reside in that place where My pure devotees chant My holy name and discuss My form, pastimes and qualities.
-Padma Purana |
sraddhaya helaya nama ratanti mama jantavah
tesam nama sada partha vartate hrdaye mama
O Arjuna, listen attentively! When the living entity chants My name, whether out of devotion or indifference, then his name will remain forever in My heart. I will never forget such a soul.
-Adi Purana |
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