In Kenya's rich and diverse cultural tapestry, where traditions blend harmoniously within a variegated contemporary Africa, emerges a compelling narrative of heritage, spirituality, and music embodied by Harikanta Devi Dasi, a fourth-generation Indian Kenyan whose journey from spiritual seeker to enchanting musician has captivated hearts far and wide. Her debut Kirtan album, "Jambo Kirtan," is not just a collection of melodious hymns; it's a testament to her profound spiritual odyssey and her endeavor to infuse Krishna Consciousness into the vibrant cultural landscape of Kenya.
Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and contributor to ISKCON News, has recently received a Storytelling World Resource Award for his CD Sacred Voices. ISKCON News (IN) interview with Sankirtana Das (Skd) about the honor and his thoughts on art, theater, sacred storytelling, interfaith dialogue, and more.
Creative dramatic presentations have been part of the ISKCON culture since the earliest days, with devotees performing at Sunday Feasts beginning in the late 1960s. The Bhaktivedanta Players, the main drama group at the Manor, recently performed a Krishna-Conscious version of the classic 1939 film, "The Wizard of Oz." The parody pantomime, called "The Wizard of Om," was so popular that it was performed three times in a single day in the Manor's theatre and was especially appreciated by the youth. The performance was filmed on December 17, 2023, and was made available this week on YouTube.
In March 2023, ISKCON News reported on Inner Voice Production's latest initiative, the Srila Prabhupada's Film Restoration Project. The team is well-known for its transformative film "Hare Krishna- The Mantra, The Movement, and the Swami Who Started It All," which has been showcased around the world and is available on multiple digital platforms. The project has reached a new financial milestone in this crucial service to preserve the legacy and impact of Srila Prabhupada.
India's National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) presented a new exhibit entitled "Shakti: Fair & Fierce" in New Dehli, which celebrates feminine creativity and empowerment ahead of the upcoming International Day of Women on March 8, 2024. NGMA is one of the premier art institutions in India. Established in 1954, the gallery is located at Jaipur House near India Gate. MOSA is an international visual arts initiative dedicated to supporting art and artists from India as well as art and artists from the ISKCON community. It has branches in Belgium, Italy, and Spain.
The prestigious Columbia University Press has recently released a ground-breaking volume, the first-ever comprehensive concordance of the Bhagavad Gita, authored by Dr. Graham M. Schweig (Garuda Das), PhD. Entitled "Bhagavad Gita Concordance: A Comprehensive Word Reference with English and Sankrit Indexes," the new work has been hailed by scholars and students alike as a monumental achievement. It "fills a major lacuna in scholarship and will become a standard reference book and resource for millions of scholars and practitioners," said Dr. Gopal Gupta of Aurora University in Illinois.
Founded by Nityananda Ram Das, a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Radio Mayapur has grown from a modest vision to a thriving platform, connecting devotees worldwide through the power of Krishna Conscious music, podcasts, and positive spiritual discussions.
Gauranga Darshan Das, an educator, TEDx speaker, and spiritual author of over 32 books, has launched his fourth book in the series, Illustrated Bhagavatam Tales To Inspire Young Minds, published and printed by Tulsi Books, a division of Sri Tulsi Trust.
2024 marks the 16th annual Radhadesh Mellows Kirtan Festival, which is being held at the Radhadesh Temple in Belgium. The three-day kirtan event, going on January 25-28th, begins today. It's no surprise that the capacity for in-person participation filled quickly, as this event has nourished thousands of devotees for over 15 years. 2024 marks the 16th anniversary of the Radhadesh Mellows Kirtan Festival, which is held annually at the Radhadesh Temple in Belgium. The three-day kirtan event, going on January 25-28th, begins today. It's no surprise that the capacity for in-person participation filled quickly, as this event has nourished thousands of devotees for over 15 years.