Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of kirtan with special guest Madhava Das.

Followed by delicious vegan lunch from Bliss Kitchen!

A native of Mauritius, Madhava was given his first drum at the age of 5. At 18, he moved to Vrindavan, a place of pilgrimage in India where kirtan has been practised continuously for centuries. He spent the next seven years living in an ashram, doing kirtan daily with the Krishna Balarama 24 Hour Kirtan Mandali, under he direction of legendary 24-hour kirtan leader, Aindra Dasa. While there he played the mrdanga drum for hours on end, day after day, honing his rhythmic skill and sensitivity. Unbeknownst to him, through bootleg recordings he was also becoming an influential figure in the global kirtan scene, all while sitting on the dusty floor of a small temple in a village in India. When Madhava left to return to the West, his mentor Aindra impressed on him that he had to take the kirtan back with him from Vrndavan – telling him: “Now it is you who must lead the kirtan”. Based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively through Europe and the US with his wife Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt Bhakti.

Kirtan is a form of devotional chanting with roots going back many centuries in India. It is a primary practice on the path of Bhakti Yoga. The singing is accompanied by musical instruments and rhythmic drumming and the audience is encouraged to participate by chanting, clapping and dancing. In its heartfelt expression kirtan can induce profound states of meditation and bliss.

On Sunday Mornings BLISS is happy to present kirtan led by a variety of talented and devoted musicians. To receive updates of who will be leading on upcoming dates sign up for our mailing list or check our Facebook page.