About Kirtan Salon
Kirtan Salon is a musical project in Ojai started by Kelly Luscombe Bea in 2013.
It's purpose is two-fold:
To highlight kirtan musicians, kirtan bands, Indian classical and related folk music at Ananda Verandah and select venues in Ojai;
and
To encourage collaboration and cross-fertilization of musical idioms (vocal and instrumental) amongst musicians related to the kirtan call and response experience.
Kirtan is a form of call and response devotional chanting with roots in India. It is a form of yoga called Bhakti (yoga of devotion) and has the power to open the heart. The singing is accompanied by musical instruments and rhythmic drumming and the audience is encouraged to participate by singing, clapping and dancing. In it's heartfelt expression, kirtan can induce profound states of meditation, bliss and ecstasy. There is a sweet sound vibration that permeates all and that sound vibration is kirtan and it's mysterious connection draws people and all life forms together.
Kirtan has been described as the beating of the heart of the soul. Through the chanting of the names of God from many spiritual traditions, kirtan awakens the soul to its natural position and clears the heart of all the distractions that can stress one living in this modern-day age. Kirtan is not exclusive to those only in Indian attire or those who practice yoga. Anyone can join in at any time and joyfully sing along, clap their hands and become a key musician in the making of it.
It's purpose is two-fold:
To highlight kirtan musicians, kirtan bands, Indian classical and related folk music at Ananda Verandah and select venues in Ojai;
and
To encourage collaboration and cross-fertilization of musical idioms (vocal and instrumental) amongst musicians related to the kirtan call and response experience.
Kirtan is a form of call and response devotional chanting with roots in India. It is a form of yoga called Bhakti (yoga of devotion) and has the power to open the heart. The singing is accompanied by musical instruments and rhythmic drumming and the audience is encouraged to participate by singing, clapping and dancing. In it's heartfelt expression, kirtan can induce profound states of meditation, bliss and ecstasy. There is a sweet sound vibration that permeates all and that sound vibration is kirtan and it's mysterious connection draws people and all life forms together.
Kirtan has been described as the beating of the heart of the soul. Through the chanting of the names of God from many spiritual traditions, kirtan awakens the soul to its natural position and clears the heart of all the distractions that can stress one living in this modern-day age. Kirtan is not exclusive to those only in Indian attire or those who practice yoga. Anyone can join in at any time and joyfully sing along, clap their hands and become a key musician in the making of it.