Kirtan Phenomenon Gaura Mani Reaches 30 Million People a Week
Born in the Chicago ISKCON temple in the late 1970s and raised in ISKCON gurukulas, Gaura Mani spent much of her time singing kirtan and chanting Sanskrit verses. As she grew older, she developed a strong desire to take her training further and share it with everyone she met.
Srila Prabhupada called Krishna conscious art “Windows to the Spiritual World.” Every once in a while, an artist comes along who is truly blessed with the ability to open those windows for us.
Nitaipriya Dasi has to balance many responsibilities in life: she’s a mother of two, serves on the board of the ISKCON Philadelphia temple, and works as vice president of a reputed bank. However she’s found yet another sweet service to offer – making astonishingly beautiful and delicious cakes for Sri Sri Radha-Saradbihari and Their devotees.
When she saw the devastation, Barbara Sobel, a New York music promoter and CEO of Sobel Promotions felt she couldn’t sit by and do nothing. So she contacted an eclectic group of artists, including Jayadev and Gaurangi, asking for an unreleased song for a compilation charity album.
Vedic Stories for Children Volume 2, a CD produced by the world-renowned Bhaktivedanta Players, was launched during the Diwali and Annakut festivals at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England.
The giant book is funded by ISKCON Italy through donations and designed by the Mediterranean branch of the BBT, which claims it will be the largest sacred text in the world.
Awarded by the University Centre Grimsby, this annual competition receives thousands of entries from writers around the world. Janavi Held is one of 25 writers whose poems were chosen for worldwide publication in the annual Hammond House poetry anthology.
The work continues on the outside of the temple domes with blue tiles, stars and gold ribs being placed in beautiful designs that are appealing and beautiful to look at from all locations throughout Mayapur and the surrounding area.
The Stolen River, the multiple award-winning documentary about the River Yamuna has been released for public screening in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The film is now available in six languages: English, Italian, Hungarian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
Heartwood Soundstage, an intimate venue in Gainesville, Florida will come alive at 7pm on Wednesday November 7thwith the second annual kirtan dance party and fundraiser by non-profit Bhaktiland Inc.
The epic show of dance, theater, martial arts and live music has been touring Poland for 29 years to great success, and came to the U.S. for the first time last year under the name “Discover India.”
The Jaguar’s Story, a children’s book written by Kosa Ely (Kosarupa Dasi) and beautifully illustrated by Radhe Gendron, has received two prestigious awards this week.
“A writer is an individual who uses language to discover meaning in experience and communicate it.” Pranada certainly exemplifies this.
Balarama Tirtha Das of kirtan group The Mayapuris, better known as “Bali,” is set to release his first solo hip-hop single “Three Eyes Wide” on the well-chosen date of 10-08 (October 8th).
Performing arts company Natya Nectar is set to deliver the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to audiences across India – before going to Broadway in New York and beyond.
Radha Krishna Records – quite possibly the only record label owned by a temple – is nearing its tenth anniversary, which will be celebrated in July 2019 during the 50thanniversary of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara at the Radha Krishna Temple in London.
“Let’s go clean the toilets,” said Aindra Das, head of Krishna Balarama Mandir’s 24-Hour Kirtan Mandali in Vrindavana. “It will clean your heart. And when your heart is clean, you can actually chant Hare Krishna.” Eighteen-year-old Madhava Naidoo was taken aback. He was a hotshot mridanga player. He was in the 24 Hour Kirtan. Why should he do something so menial? “No way,” he retorted.
The specially commissioned sculpture was created for ISKCON’s 50thanniversary celebrations in 2016. Designed by Russian devotee Madan Mohan Das and sculpted by Ukranian artist Volodymyr Zhuravel, the beautifully detailed bronze piece depicts Srila Prabhupada disembarking from the Jaladuta cargo ship at Boston’s Commonwealth Pier.
Now, in time for the upcoming Janmasthami and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja festivals, ISKCON Communications Ministry offers centers around the globe the opportunity to entertain and inspire their congregation by screening the hour-long ‘The Joy of Devotion’ film. Now, the film also available in Spanish.
Prabhupada disciple and Gainesville Krishna House leader Kalakantha Das may not be your typical rapper. He is, after all, in his words “a sixty-four-year-old white guy.” But his new book “Bhagavad-gita: The Rap of God” is already getting rave reviews from contemporary audiences.
The internationally renowned street and fine artist Kardami Kapila Das, a former of the K. Art Collective recently visited St. Petersburg to paint a mural by invitation of ‘Fortunate People’ team - worldwide mantra flash-mob dedicated to spreading Love & Peace.
The documentary film Hare Krishna!, about the life and teachings of ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada, will be released on digital, DVD and Blu-Ray worldwide on August 21st– just two weeks before Prabhupada’s appearance day.
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is filled with extraordinary devotees continuing Srila Prabhupada’s legacy and bringing us the works of the acaryas. Translator Mukunda Datta Das is now working on the Sat-Sandarbhas and Bhakti-Rasamrita Sindhu.
Nandapriya Das, born Zaza Ujmajuridze, was born in Tbilisi, Georgia – a country beautifully set between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea with a culture as ancient as its language, came out with his new music album. Besides being a musician, he is a successful oncologist, working in Denmark.
Nearly every track’s lyrics comprise entirely of the Hare Krishna mantra, set to infectious tunes, uplifting beats and synths, and soaring backing vocals. Quite different from the usual big releases from the kirtan world, it’s an attempt by creator Chandrashekhara Acharya Das (Cyril Wohrer) to reach a broader audience and “dovetail” a lifelong dream into service.
