Go to Vanipedia | Go to Vanisource | Go to Vanimedia


Vaniquotes - the compiled essence of Vedic knowledge


Performing kirtana (Letters, 1966 - 1968)

Expressions researched:
"kirtan" |"kirtana" |"kirtanam" |"kirtaniyah" |"perform" |"performance" |"performances" |"performed" |"performing" |"performs"

Correspondence

1966 Correspondence

We shall go in a batch for performing the Kirtana ceremony both in the exhibition pandal as well as in the University Hall, and you can arrange in that way.
Letter to Janis -- New York 29 October, 1966:

I have complete agreement with for the arrangement that you desire to make in connection with the Exhibition at Montreal. Yes we shall go in a batch for performing the Kirtana ceremony both in the exhibition pandal as well as in the University Hall and you can arrange in that way.

1967 Correspondence

Please try to secure a copy of each film so far taken of us while performing Kirtana.
Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 30 January, 1967:

Please try to secure a copy of each film so far taken of us while performing Kirtana. If required we may pay something for this; better they should contribute a film to the society as we have not charged anything. If we get the film we can then purchase a projector to show in different places. Please send the records as early as possible. There is possibility of selling a great number of records here. They are all purchasing cash. Please expedite the matter.

Hope you are all well and performing Kirtana regularly.
Letter to Gargamuni -- San Francisco 3 February, 1967:

I hope Kirtanananda has already arrived destination. I shall be glad to hear from him. Hope you are all well and performing Kirtana regularly. Kirtanananda has learned one tune to be sung in the morning which please practice as far as possible. Brahmananda must attend his office timely so that he may not be called for explanation or reprimanded. Now Kirtanananda is there and I think there will be no difficulty in the management. I have received the cover of the record and hope to receive the records as early as possible.

I think in New York also you should arrange for such Kirtana programs in different churches and societies on off days like Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays. Wherever we get opportunities we must perform such Kirtana.
Letter to Rupanuga -- San Francisco 11 February, 1967:

This evening we had very successful performances of Kirtana and discourses for two hours (7-9 P.M.) at the Himalayan Academy the Christian Yoga Church and there were about 100 respectable gatherings. All the ladies and gentlemen were cultured and decent and all of them appreciated our Kirtana and lectures. They profusely garlanded me and exposed me for photo snaps. Ranchor played the Harmonium and they were pleased with his playing and garlanded him. They handed over to me some collection about $12.00 and most probably they will invite us again for such performances. The students of this Himalayan Academy have built a very nice temple and I wish the students in New York also finish the proposed building as nicely as they have done at San Francisco. Tomorrow we are going to see Dr. Haridasa Chowdhury one Calcutta man who has a similar institution under the name of Self Realization Organization of San Francisco. An American gentleman Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) will take me there by engagement. And in the evening tomorrow a couple will be married and two students will initiated prior to their marriage. And the same Kirtana function will be performed at California college on the 14th instant Tuesday. I think our popularity in this part of the country is increasing. I think in New York also you should arrange for such Kirtana programs in different churches and societies on off days like Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays. Wherever we get opportunities we must perform such Kirtana.

On Sunday afternoon there was Kirtana in the Golden Gate Park and there was about 3 to 4 hundred audience and most of them danced in ecstasy. It reminded me of our activities in the Tompkins Park.
Letter to Rayarama -- San Francisco 28 February, 1967:

On Sunday afternoon there was Kirtana in the Golden Gate Park and there was about 3 to 4 hundred audience and most of them danced in ecstasy. It reminded me of our activities in the Tompkins Park. I have asked them to arrange for loud speakers and microphones so that next week we may have greater audience to join us. It appears to me that people of this country will accept this movement nicely if we do it in accordance with prescribed directions. When we receive the Mrdangas we shall have better chance to perform the Kirtana more nicely.

I have seen in the bible that Lord Jesus Christ recommended this Kirtana performances in the Bible. You know better than me and I would request you to write a small book on SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT IN THE BIBLE.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- San Francisco 7 April, 1967:

I wish that at least four centers may be established in the Western countries including one in London and then a company of twelve at least of all your brothers and myself may have an extensive tour all over the world for preaching this unique cult of Hare Krishna. And because it is approved by Lord Christ at least the Christian world will accept our Kirtana procedure. I have seen in the bible that Lord Jesus Christ recommended this Kirtana performances in the Bible. You know better than me and I would request you to write a small book on SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT IN THE BIBLE.

I am glad that you are changing your office time and you shall have more time to perform kirtana.
Letter to Upendra -- New York 4 May, 1967:

Please accept my blessings and I also thank you very much for your sandalwood book marker. It is wonderful. Everyone appreciated this present and I am keeping it very carefully. I am glad that you are changing your office time and you shall have more time to perform kirtana. I am glad that you have mentioned the first stanza of Prayer to Spiritual Master. I think you know the meaning of this stanza.

The societies are being worshiped with flowers and fruits, and Kirtana is being performed both morning and evening, and Srimad-Bhagavatam is being recited. Don't you think that this movement is glorious both for India and the world?
Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- New York 20 July, 1967:

Some of my friends in India are sending Sri Murtis (Radha-Krishna), and we are getting locally sculpted Jagannatha, Balavadra, and Subhadra Murtis to install in the temples. The societies are being worshiped with flowers and fruits, and Kirtana is being performed both morning and evening, and Srimad-Bhagavatam is being recited. Don't you think that this movement is glorious both for India and the world? Kindly, therefore cooperate with me in full heart.

I understand also, there was a Kirtana performance given by Sri Purna das. You have rightly remarked whether they are devotees.
Letter to Jadurani -- Calcutta 12 December, 1967:

I understand also, there was a Kirtana performance given by Sri Purna das. You have rightly remarked whether they are devotees. You are right. These people are professional singers. Krishna Kirtana is not for earning livelihood. Krishna Kirtana is not meant for entertaining the public for demonstration of arts. It is dynamic service to the Lord. We do not therefore mind so much about the artistic presentation of Krishna Kirtana but we want to see how much a devotee is satisfying the Supreme Will.

1968 Correspondence

When such Kirtana will be demonstrated, only the harmonium player may sit, and all the others may stand up and join the Kirtana and dancing properly dressed. This is actual idea and I hope if such Kirtanas are performed even on public stage, we can sell tickets.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1968:

Regarding Kirtana Party: My idea is that at least one dozen persons should form a Kirtana Party. Two persons play mrdangas, eight persons play karatalas, one person playing tamboura, and one person playing melodious harmonium. The person who will play on tamboura will be leader singer. You have just calculated what I want, when you suggest that the leader should sing as I do, and the others will respond. That will be very nice. But all the members of the party will be pure devotees. None of them should be outsiders. We do not want any outsiders as far as possible. Mrdanga playing as you are doing at present will make you more and more expert as you go on playing. Here also I see Gaurasundara simply by playing is improving. If all the members keep their faith in Krishna and tries to please Him, certainly everyone will be pleased by hearing our Kirtana. It is sure and certain. When such Kirtana will be demonstrated, only the harmonium player may sit, and all the others may stand up and join the Kirtana and dancing properly dressed. This is actual idea and I hope if such Kirtanas are performed even on public stage, we can sell tickets. That will be a source of earning to maintain our activities.

I am glad that Purusottama is trying to get our Society recognized in the U.N. as a non-government organization. And if it is successful, then we shall be able to perform Kirtana in the U.N. stage.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1968:

I am glad that Purusottama is trying to get our Society recognized in the U.N. as a non-government organization. And if it is successful, then we shall be able to perform Kirtana in the U.N. stage. And if we are recognized by the representatives for different nations, then we may be invited from different parts of the world, then our Sankirtana movement will be successful. Our process will remain the same eternally, namely, to begin with Sankirtana and prolong it at least for 1/2 hour, then speak something from Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, etc. and invite questions and answer them. Then again concluded by chanting. This is my dream or idea, and I shall be glad if you, Brahmananda, Purusottama, Rayarama, and others can give this idea a practical shape and life, then I shall be very much thankful to you.

Here the kirtana performances are going very nicely; there is good attendance in the meeting and dancing in ecstasy is often exhibited to the transcendental pleasure of everyone present.
Letter to Rupanuga -- San Francisco 12 March, 1968:

I have come here in San Francisco on the 8th morning of March. Here the kirtana performances are going very nicely; there is good attendance in the meeting and dancing in ecstasy is often exhibited to the transcendental pleasure of everyone present. I think S.F. center has been very much sanctified by unalloyed devotional service of the members here. As soon as there are sincere devotees, immediately the situation changes very favorably.

I am very much hopeful that this movement can be spread all over the whole world if we organize simply the performance of Kirtana and a little lecture on the principles of Krishna Consciousness.
Letter to Hayagriva -- San Francisco 17 March, 1968:

Today also, in the morning, I lectured and held Sankirtana in the local WMCA building, and there were small children, almost within 10 years, along with their teachers. And they very patiently enjoyed our company for one hour. All the teachers and students danced and sang with us and the scene was very pleasing. So I am very much hopeful that this movement can be spread all over the whole world if we organize simply the performance of Kirtana and a little lecture on the principles of Krishna Consciousness.

Lord Ramacandra's Birthday should be observed in the same way as Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtana, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama.
Letter to Mukunda -- San Francisco 26 March, 1968:

Our next ceremony is Lord Ramacandra's Birthday, on the 7th of April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtana, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama. That will make all our functions successful.

I think you shall try your best to perform Kirtana successfully, and that is the greatest specific function for you.
Letter to Mahapurusa -- San Francisco 28 March, 1968:

I shall be glad to know what specific function you want to perform, and I understand you are going to McGill for performing Kirtana. That is very nice engagement. That is the only specific function for everyone of us. I think you shall try your best to perform Kirtana successfully, and that is the greatest specific function for you. And you can teach some of your God-brothers and God-sisters the art of cooking, which you know best.

Here the kirtana performances are going on, as nicely, and people are taking interest in them.
Letter to Subala -- San Francisco 30 March, 1968:

I was just thinking about you since you departed from this place and was anxious to get your letter, and I am very glad to receive it. By Krishna's Grace you are finding everything favorable, and I hope gradually you will find the atmosphere more favorable. I understand in New York it is still raining and little cold, therefore I am extending my stay here in San Francisco, for a few days more. We had many engagements in radio and television and similarly we are going to have more similar engagements. Here the kirtana performances are going on, as nicely, and people are taking interest in them.

Four to six men, and the members of the audience will join together, and then it will be very successful Kirtana performance. Just try to practice like this.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Allston, Mass 28 May, 1968:

If you have no sufficient men to form the Kirtana party at the present moment, you can go on chanting as usual in the temple. There is no need of becoming hasty. One or two boys from S.F. can join you at any moment, that is not a problem. But you must have some men locally. The process should be at least 4 to 6 men must be competent to begin the chanting with instruments and the members of the audience should be requested to join them. If you can make this practice successful, you can go anywhere. Four to six men, and the members of the audience will join together, and then it will be very successful Kirtana performance. Just try to practice like this.

In New York they are organizing very nice Kirtana party and getting good response from the public. They are collecting $30-$40 in each Kirtana performance, and selling Back To Godhead.
Letter to Harivilasa -- Montreal 10 June, 1968:

Yes, in New York they are organizing very nice Kirtana party and getting good response from the public. They are collecting $30-$40 in each Kirtana performance, and selling Back To Godhead. So you try to execute this program and Krishna will give you necessary intelligence be assured.

I wish to form a nice Kirtana party consisting of 12 heads—2 mrdanga players, 1 harmonium player in melody, 1 tambura player, and at least 6 cymbal players. In this way 12 heads shall perform Kirtana very rhythmically and melodiously.
Letter to Mukunda -- Montreal 11 June, 1968:

Your presence in the London center with other assistants will be great helpful, considering the fact that I wish to form a nice Kirtana party consisting of 12 heads—2 mrdanga players, 1 harmonium player in melody, 1 tambura player, and at least 6 cymbal players. In this way 12 heads shall perform Kirtana very rhythmically and melodiously. The harmonium should be practiced just to follow the song; not simply for tuning. I think you can very well organize this Sankirtana party, and if we have a successful Sankirtana party, with me, backed by our books and literature, we can make a nice propaganda of this sublime movement in all the European cities. And if we are successful in Europe then we may go to other countries also in Asia. In India also if we go with this Sankirtana party we shall be very much welcome and there is great possibility of cooperation of the richer section of India. So I am thinking of organizing this nice Sankirtana party very seriously and you may also think in that way.

At least Mr. Rose cannot object to this performance of Kirtana because he wants to give facility to all sects. So even if he takes it that our Krishna Consciousness movement is also a particular type of sect, certainly he will not have any objection.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- Montreal 30 June, 1968:

This process is standard, and tested. So far it's test is concerned, you know very well about it because in this part of the world, all my disciples are non-Hindu, and non-Indians. But still they have taken to this mantra, Mahamantra, very seriously and they are deriving good result out of it. So there is no question about its genuine presentation. We should therefore push on this movement in the same simple manner as we are doing. That everyone should come and sit together and chant this Holy Name Hare Krishna. If this system is taken as sectarian, then I am sure your attempt for organizing New Vrindaban under the care of Mr. Rose will not be successful. The best thing will be to chant Hare Krishna, call all the neighbors in that part of the state, and gradually develop their taste for it. Then try to endeavor to do something for developing New Vrindaban. For the present, live as simply as possible, without any endeavor to develop that part into New Vrindaban, or do it peacefully as you have mentioned, but you must continue to chant Hare Krishna, at least you and Hayagriva, and ask everybody to join you. At least Mr. Rose cannot object to this performance of Kirtana because he wants to give facility to all sects. So even if he takes it that our Krishna Consciousness movement is also a particular type of sect, certainly he will not have any objection. Therefore, the conclusion is that you must regularly hold Krishna Kirtana, now, and even as in our other centers they are doing. And live peacefully without any exaggeration, and try to convince people about the non-sectarian nature of Krishna Consciousness. I think that will make you successful in this great adventure.

I shall be glad to know also how many of you can go to Vancouver for performing Kirtana.
Letter to Upendra -- Montreal 4 July, 1968:

I think there is a chance of my going to Vancouver and if I go there, I may call some of you there to open a branch. I think you shall be the first man to come there, and I shall be glad to know also how many of you can go to Vancouver for performing Kirtana.

You will be pleased to know here we are performing kirtana in the Expo.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- Montreal 14 July, 1968:

P.S. You will be pleased to know here we are performing kirtana in the Expo. They have paid us $300.00. It may be they increase the period.

I am so pleased to learn that you are performing jointly Kirtana, assisted by a newcomer, Harold Olmstead.
Letter to Hayagriva -- Montreal 14 July, 1968:

I am so pleased to learn that you have got a Deity Room and you are performing jointly Kirtana, assisted by a newcomer, Harold Olmstead. He may be called Hrsikesa, there is no objection, but generally a Holy Name after Lord Krishna is offered to a devotee after his initiation. Anyway, you can call him Hrsikesa, and the same name will be continued after his initiation also. In the meantime, let him be trained up in our line of activities to observe the rules and regulations and chant Hare Krishna jointly with you.

Here I have gotten some encouragement by recent Kirtana performances in the Expo. For two days they have paid us $300.00, and maybe they will be required to perform Kirtana for a few days more. Similarly I have got one encouraging letter from San Francisco written by Tamala Krishna, that there is good collection in the Kirtana performances led by Mukunda.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Montreal 15 July, 1968:

Regarding London-yatra: (like Rathayatra—yatra means travel.) I am contemplating of forming the following party: yourself and your wife, Mukunda and his wife, Gaurasundara and his wife, Hamsaduta and his wife, Pradyumna and Upendra. Maybe we may have to change later on a little bit, but this is my contemplation. Now, I do not know how to make this program fruitful. Here I have gotten some encouragement by recent Kirtana performances in the Expo. For two days they have paid us $300.00, and maybe they will be required to perform Kirtana for a few days more. Similarly I have got one encouraging letter from San Francisco written by Tamala Krishna, that there is good collection in the Kirtana performances led by Mukunda. I have asked Hamsaduta to open correspondence with you to make plans how to go to London. I understand that he has got already 15 to 16 hundred dollars in this account. The thing is that 12 to 15 heads will have to go there. First of all we have to accommodate ourselves in a nice place. And I am so glad you have already written to Anapurna's father, and as soon as some plan is fixed up, we start immediately. It may be that we may not wait even up to the end of August. My special instruction to you all is that you practice Sankirtana very rhythmically and in a responsive way. That means one should chant first, and others should follow him. That is a very nice system.

The time is fast approaching when we will have to perform such public Kirtana in all the important cities of the world.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Montreal 16 July, 1968:

Anyway, I understand that Mukunda is leading now a nice Kirtana party in the streets, and there is good response. The time is fast approaching when we will have to perform such public Kirtana in all the important cities of the world. Here also, in the Expo, they have performed Kirtana. for two days, and it is wonderfully successful.

Krishna has given us good opportunity of service, and if we simply execute the service, by such performances of Kirtana and practice ourselves the rules and regulations rigidly and with faith in Krishna and service to the orders of the bona fide Spiritual Master, then there will be no scarcity of our necessities of life.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Montreal 16 July, 1968:

I am so glad to receive your letter dated July 12, 1968 with the notes of your successful performances of city Kirtana movement and it is a very good plan. I think we should not be worried about our expenditure, Krishna has given us good opportunity of service, and if we simply execute the service, by such performances of Kirtana and practice ourselves the rules and regulations rigidly and with faith in Krishna and service to the orders of the bona fide Spiritual Master, then there will be no scarcity of our necessities of life, and very pleasantly we will be able to execute our Krishna conscious activities without any anxiety for financial difficulties.

The time is fast approaching when we will have to perform such public Kirtan in all the important cities of the world.
Letter to Yamuna devi -- Montreal, Quebec Canada July 16, 1968:

I thank you very much for your letter dated July 9, 1968, giving a vivid description of the Rathayatra festival. I understand that Mukunda and Janaki are now living with you, but I have not received any letter from them. Anyway, I understand that Mukunda is leading now a nice Kirtan party in the streets, and there is good response. The time is fast approaching when we will have to perform such public Kirtan in all the important cities of the world. Here also, in the Expo, they have performed Kirtan for two days, and it is wonderfully successful.

Hamsaduta is performing kirtana in the park, and yesterday he collected 24 dollars.
Letter to Kirtanananda, Hayagriva -- Montreal 23 August, 1968:

N.B. Hamsaduta is performing kirtana in the park, and yesterday he collected 24 dollars. There is some picture in the paper and I am sending one herewith.

I have already informed you that some of the San Francisco boys are ready to go and join you. If required I shall ask Acyutananda to join you from India. So that way you can have several assistants to perform kirtana, and that will be our success.
Letter to Sivananda -- New York 7 September, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 1, 1968, and I am glad that you are getting some encouragement in Berlin. I request you not to leave Berlin. I request that you please try to establish a center there at any cost. In your last letter you informed me that there is good chance of your getting work on a salary of $600.00. So if you can get such job, or any job, somehow or other, you can simply maintain an apartment and sit down there and chant Hare Krishna. I do not want immediately a very large storefront or anything like that. I simply want that a center may immediately be started in Berlin and gradually we will try to develop it. In my last letter I have already informed you that some of the San Francisco boys are ready to go and join you. If required I shall ask Acyutananda to join you from India. So that way you can have several assistants to perform kirtana, and that will be our success.

These people might be impersonalists, so far I can understand from the handbill, but still, we can perform Kirtana in any place.
Letter to Yamuna -- Seattle 23 September, 1968:

I have received one letter from Mukunda that your preaching work is going on nicely, and so it is also confirmed by you. I shall be glad to know how you're meeting in the Hindu center, and how the meetings are being carried successfully. These people might be impersonalists, so far I can understand from the handbill, but still, we can perform Kirtana in any place. It does not matter what they are. By our Kirtana process we have to influence others.

In London, although they have not opened a branch, but they are doing kirtana performances daily, twice or thrice, and in the parks, schools, colleges, clubs, society and private houses, so our propaganda is not stopped.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Seattle 21 October, 1968:

In London, although they have not opened a branch, but they are doing kirtana performances daily, twice or thrice, and in the parks, schools, colleges, clubs, society and private houses, so our propaganda is not stopped. So even you have not found out any place at Hamburg, you three together you can chant Hare Krishna kirtana in the same way as they are doing in London and other cities. We are more or less concerned for preaching. It does not matter even if we have got a temple, but if the preaching work goes on that is a great satisfaction. I understand from Sivananda's letters that you are getting engagements in Berlin, but I don't hear that you have got any engagement in Hamburg. So please try to find out some engagement and perform kirtana. You are now three. One can play mrdanga and two can play cymbals and chant nicely, and so even you are not yet found a place, you can go on with your work, ask New York to send you magazines and go on with kirtana.

Even though you are unable to find out a suitable place, you can go on with performance of Kirtana and other Kirtana parties are doing.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Seattle 21 October, 1968:

So my request to you is that even though you are unable to find out a suitable place, you can go on with performance of Kirtana and other Kirtana parties are doing. They are doing like this in Seattle, San Francisco, even in Montreal.

Your success in kirtana performances in the University campus is also very encouraging.
Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 18 November, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Nov. 12, 1968, and I am very much pleased to note the contents. The handbill of Dr. Frog, Ph.D. is very funny, and we should try to fight with these frog philosophers overcrowding all over the world. Your success in kirtana performances in the University campus is also very encouraging.

Our lives are devoted to Krishna's service, and you are performing kirtana so it is the same thing.
Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 23 November, 1968:

Regarding arati: There is no need to worry that you do not have sufficient time to do it many times daily, etc., simply do what you have got time for doing, that is sufficient. Our lives are devoted to Krishna's service, and you are performing kirtana so it is the same thing. So do it however you can schedule it. ACB

Your description of progress in kirtana performance with Gurudasa playing sitar and Mukunda playing khole is encouraging.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 24 November, 1968:

Also your description of progress in kirtana performance with Gurudasa playing sitar and Mukunda playing khole is encouraging. Practically we see that as we sincerely try to improve our chanting for the pleasure of Krishna, Krishna reciprocates and we feel our greatest pleasure which is devotional service to the Lord. So, you may continue with this method, it is very nice and approved by me.

It is very much encouraging to me to hear of so many activities of performing kirtana there.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 14 December, 1968:

It is very much encouraging to me to hear of so many activities of performing kirtana there. Kirtana is the universal principle, therefore, if you chant Hare Krishna offenselessly, that is to say, avoiding the 10 kinds of offenses, the vibration is sure to act. And anywhere this vibration is made, it will be liked because it is done on the spiritual platform. And on the spiritual platform, there will be certainly agreement. So long one is on the material platform, there is no agreement. So our movement is directly taken to the spiritual platform. So do it nicely, offenselessly, and it will be successful anywhere.

I am very sorry to learn that this girl Madhavi Lata has gone there and created some disturbance. If she is still there, ask her to live separately and she may come only during kirtana performances.
Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 17 December, 1968:

I am very sorry to learn that this girl Madhavi Lata has gone there and created some disturbance. If she is still there, ask her to live separately and she may come only during kirtana performances. This girl appears very disturbing and every place she goes there seems to be some trouble. Please try to keep her away carefully and ask her to come back here because immediately there is no chance of my going to Hawaii.

Page Title:Performing kirtana (Letters, 1966 - 1968)
Compiler:Labangalatika
Created:25 of Jul, 2010
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=37
No. of Quotes:37