Khichid Kirtan hosted in Cambridge

Geetha Patil

CAMBRIDGE, MA: Khichadi Kirtan (KK) of Cambridge was hosted by Tamal Lena and his wife Shakti Lena at their residence in Cambridge on February 15. Both warmly welcomed a hall full of Kirtan lovers to open their hearts for experiencing this healing experience.

Everyone enjoyed tasty Khichadi-savory meal of rice and beans from India, along with chai tea which was prepared by Shakti and others. After eating and greeting, most of them sat on the floor

KK invited Santosha Kirtan, a Massachusetts-based group of musicians and friends as a featuring team of the event. Santosha Kirtan team sang a mix of traditional and original kirtan chants and some songs in English in a relaxed and interactive call and response manner with the audience. The music was upbeat and rejuvenating as well as soothing and meditative.

The Santosha Kirtan team presented to the audience Naomi Edelman as a lead vocal on harmonium; Emily Jawadekar as a lead vocal with kartals and on harmonium; Joe Johnson as a lead vocal on cello; Paul Erlich on guitar and piano; Lauren Angelone, djembe, percussion and harmony vocal. Kirtan singers experienced a deep connection with the musicians, the other audience members. And when the music stopped, their mind felt peace and quietness.

Kirtan is considered as a sing-along music concert.The leadsinger sings the mantra, and the audience sings it back. It is a very simple and powerful way to meditate. Kirtan lovers chant Sanskrit sacred mantra and sacred names of the deities which can quiet the mind if listened to with intention. The vibration of sacred sound of the mantras yields love and connects with the Divine as everything and everyone of us are connected. Many of the Kirtan songs are done in a responsive fashion where everyone can participate and experience the purifying pleasure of the chanting.

One of the Kirtan singers said that “I love Kirtan concerts because all voices merge together and become one voice. It helps us reconnect with the Divinity that resides within all of us.”