For over 15 years, Premkishor Das has been a pivotal force in organizing the Festival of India (FOI) and the Festival of Colors in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In addition to his role as a physician and manager of temple services at ISKCON Thunder Bay, Premkishor has made notable strides in creating a centralized platform for Krishna Conscious artists globally.

In a recent interview, Premkishor recounted his journey of establishing an ISKCON artist database, a project born from his deep appreciation for cultural expression and devotion to Lord Krishna. “I saw a need,” he said. “There were many talented artists within our movement, but they weren’t connected. They needed a platform where they could unite, showcase their skills, and contribute more meaningfully to our festivals and outreach programs.”

Premkishor’s initiative began with his experience organizing the FOI and the Festival of Colors, which highlighted the difficulty in locating Krishna Conscious artists—musicians, dancers, painters, and others—who could enrich these events. “Every time we hosted an event, it felt like starting from scratch,” he explained. “We didn’t know where to find the right people.”

Premkishor Das.

This challenge inspired him to create a centralized artist database within the ISKCON community. His objective was straightforward: to establish a network where devotees who are artists could register, gain recognition, and be easily accessible for festivals, programs, and preaching efforts. Premkishor spent months reaching out to artists, collecting information, and gradually building the list. “It started with just a few names,” he recalled. “But as word spread, the database expanded. Now we have artists from around the world, and the potential is immense.”

Building the database was not without its obstacles. Balancing his demanding career with his voluntary services posed a significant challenge. “I’m a full-time physician, so time was always a concern. But this project was close to my heart. Every evening after work, I would spend time reaching out to artists and organizing their information,” he said.

A significant development in this initiative was the creation of an online registration platform for artists. “We aimed to make it as easy as possible for artists to sign up,” he shared. “The website is simple, user-friendly, and allows artists to describe their skills, share portfolios, and indicate their availability for events.” Premkishor also expressed his satisfaction in seeing artists collaborate after connecting through the database. “Many devotees have met one another through this platform, and it’s inspiring to see how their art has enhanced our festivals.”

Premkishor’s efforts have noticeably enriched the quality and diversity of ISKCON festivals in Thunder Bay and beyond. Artists from various regions of Canada and even internationally have contributed to the Thunder Bay FOI, enhancing the cultural experience for attendees. “Our festivals have become more vibrant and spiritually uplifting because we can now include artists who resonate with the devotional mood,” he said. “Their creativity allows us to present Krishna Consciousness in a beautifully artistic way, which is a cherished part of our tradition.”

Despite these achievements, Premkishor sees ample room for growth. “This is just the beginning,” he stated. “There are many more artists out there who haven’t yet registered. I hope we can expand this database so that any temple or festival organizer, anywhere in the world, can access this resource and feature Krishna Conscious artists at their events.”

Looking ahead, Premkishor plans to expand the database further and hopes to host international artist showcases at future ISKCON festivals. “The goal is to create a vibrant artistic hub within the Krishna Consciousness movement, where devotees feel supported and encouraged in their creative endeavors,” he emphasized, “Please share the registration link widely to help us!”

To support this vision, Premkishor invites all Krishna Conscious artists, event organizers, and devotees to visit the official Festival of India (FOI) Artist Registration link and join this expanding global network. By registering, artists can showcase their talents and contribute to ISKCON’s dynamic cultural and spiritual outreach.

Premkishor welcomes collaboration and is eager to connect with those interested in advancing this effort. For more information or to support this effort, please get in touch with Premkishor via email or WhatsApp at +1 (807) 251-9700.