Customer Reviews

Kirtan: Great Mantra From the Himalayas 1

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I was challenged by the serious charges leveled by a reviewer below. So much so, that I wrote to Krishna Das himself before purchasing this recording. Much to my relief, KD answered each of them, which I quote here (without KD's permission or knowledge):

"First of all, the singers in the recordings
are not 'obviously very poor mountain people', they are or
were, since most of them are dead, Sadhakas, spiritual
practicioners, whose practice is the chanting of the
divine Name. This was the practice that they were
initiated by their Gurus and they spend their lives
singing it whenever and wherever they can.

"Second of all, he writes, 'what about the temple where
these chants were recorded? Surely they could use an
infusion of American dollars.' What does he know? Wrong
again. The temple where I recorded these chants is my
Guru's temple and they don't want or need any American
dollars. They don't accept money from us no matter how
may times we offer. My Guru would have the Kirtan-walas
come to His temple in the hills and spend the entire
summer and rainy season chanting the Name there. They
were compensated for their service to the Divine by the
temple and I recorded them with their full gracious
permission and loving blessings and encouragement as a
way of learning the chants. They were also given gifts
as was appropriate in THEIR eyes and in harmony with their
own spiritual goals in life. There was no thought at all
about ever releasing the poorly recorded Kirtan. It was
only recently that we thought to make it available to
people as chanting is becoming so popular. We wanted to
share the sweetness and simplicity and depth of emotion
with anyone who wanted to hear it.

"The reason that I am collecting the royalties is to
accomplish EXACTLY what our 'music fan' is accusing me
of NOT DOING. There is no one to do it except me. The
money will be distributed to needy children widows and
sadhakas in Brindavan as it comes in and some portion will
go to the Temple in Taos to further the very goals that
the chanters themselves honored and respected and
encouraged...the chanting of the Holy Name."

I can now say that I have purchased and thoroughly enjoyed this recording. Although the sound is not pristine, it has been lovingly restored and sounds just great to me. Plus, the spiritual power of these chants is truly heartfelt. This disc is heartily and without reservation recommended to all interested in chant.

Anyone old or new to chanting should hear this CD - chanting of this mantra has been inspirational to many over 100s of years. In reference to an earlier 'review' the slanderer is incorrect in all his statements and hasn't done his research well. As Krishna Das credits when he writes about the singers in his liner notes: "sitting and singing with these Kirtan Walas was one of the most inspiring and uplifting experiences of my life". Nowhere does he take credit for composing, only for recording the chants and producing the CD. As for supporting the temples and the kirtan walas, the reviewer is making assumptions with no basis.

This Kirtan album lifts the heart and mind to God, challenging the ego to relinquish some of its control. Thanks to those who made such a great album!

These chants sound beautiful to me. I don't think Krishna Das would exploit these musicians, but he can speak for himself if he chooses. The Hanuman Foundation is a worthwhile charitable organization. Don't be so quick to judge. As I said the chants are beautiful- that's what counts.

This CD is beautiful and uplifting. A must for your collection.

A previous rviewer has slandered the label that produces this CD

and I'm amazed that Amazon.com allows such utter rubbish to be published.

This raw recording is a perfect presentation of the devotional tradition in India of reciting God's name in song. Although Krishna Das is not on them, these were recorded by him and reflect the deepest inspiration of his life and art. The only mantra presented is the "Hare Krishna" mantra, but if your heart is in it, it will never bore you. This is the kind of music you would hear fleetingly in a documentary on India and think, "if only I could have a CD of that music!" Well, now you can.