Geetha Patil
CAMBRIDGE: Khichdi Kirtan (KK) of Cambridge is committed to start its individual and collective new beginnings with strong and clear vision with the energy of the universe.
Tamalkrisna Das and his wife Shakti hosted the open mic Kitchari Kirtan on Friday January 25 at their residence, near Harvard Square Hall, full of people gathered to enjoy the evening with heartfelt signing.
The devotees were welcomed by Tamal and Shakti. They spent their lovely hour in greeting others, meeting special guest singers and enjoyed homemade Khichdi, a savory meal of rice and beans from India, along with chai tea. Tamal and Shakti started the event with their beautiful singing and made everyone rejoice together in the majesty of the Divine names.
KK is an offering, inspired by a group of musicians and friends who delight in raising their collective voices together in the singing of the names –  Sankirtan. Kampa VaShi Deva, a special guest musician of the evening, provided his best percussion. Carl Wolfe on clarinet and Louise Ross on flute, Jaya Madhava Dason on a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, John on guitar made everyone completely immersed in the sound and the magic of the chants that carried devotees deep within. Later, the microphone was passed on to other Kirtan wallahs to lead the Kirtan.
Kirtan lovers consider the sacred sound vibration of the mantras as the bridge of love. Many of the songs at KK are done in a responsive fashion where devotees can participate and experience the purifying pleasure of the chanting and singing. KK does not have any hard and fast rules for chanting besides opening hearts and letting souls reach out to the Divine. KK provides an opening for the spontaneous fulfillment of our collective desires.