What is Kirtan?

Kirtan is a devotional singing practice that aims to elevate our consciousness and bring inner peace to the mind. It is sung in Sanskrit as well as in contemporary languages of the Indian subcontinent such as Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati though it can, In theory, be sung in any form. This is because Kirtan is more about sound than it is about the words of the pieces.

The Kirtan themselves tend to be led by a single artist or group of musicians, whose purpose is to encourage the audience to participate in the songs. The union of artist and audience in pure voice is a live process and an integral part of Kirtan. It is usually achieved when a line of the piece is sung several times by the lead singer, allowing time for the listener to learn the words and melody before joining in. He or she then moves to the next line which is in turn repeated by the listener. The sound vibrations brought about through repetition create an inner energy that is uplifting but also relaxing. The constant practice of Kirtan helps to connect with this energy and thereby bring us closer to our true inner self. Indeed, The repetition of lines in Kirtan is symbolic of the practice of inner repetition that characterises most meditational forms.

The simplicity of Kirtan means that anyone can enjoy the practice at many levels from basic appreciation of the music to participating fully in the songs. Easy-to-follow, Kirtan is a wonderful way of relaxing the mind and connecting with your true nature.

Sulekh Ruparell, Founder of the Kirtan Band