The Susquehanna Art Museum hosted members of Stress Free Harrisburg, the community arm of ISKCON Harrisburg at their monthly Art Moves Class. The collaboration was in conjunction with the museum’s “Creating Joy: Art Inspired by Music” exhibit. The Susquehanna Art Museum is interested in how artists find joy at the intersection of music and art. Works were selected for this exhibition by juror Melissa Feldman. They provide unique perspectives on the joyful relationship between music and art, both visually and conceptually.

Kirtan is a Sanskrit word for ‘glorification’. Bhakti-yoga practitioners have been using kirtan as a tool to bring out the joy from the soul. The sound vibration in kirtan music that is often accompanied with mantras calms the mind and enters the heart removing layers of contamination and awakening the dormant love of God. 

September 17 – 23 is the World Holy Name Week organized by the ISKCON Harinam Sankirtan Ministry. Anasuya Dasi, Community Temple President of ISKCON Harrisburg said, “we are grateful to the Susquehanna Art Museum and Shani Jones for giving us this opportunity to introduce the practices of Bhakti-yoga to our community as an additional tool for stress relief and overall well-being”.

Pariksit Das on the keyboard while Shani Jones teaches her art moves class

Shani E. Jones, a yoga instructor for over 25 years conducted the Art Moves Yoga class where her students are taught yoga poses with music incorporated. This time, they had a kirtan music performance with Pariksit Das singing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra as accompaniment.  

The Harrisburg devotees expressed their special thanks to Tina Sell, the Museum’s Director of Education, who was instrumental in bringing this event together.