LONG FORM BIO


Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called the “Chant Master of American Yoga” (NYTimes). With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das known to friends, family, and fans as KD has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda‘ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

KD spent the late ’60’s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji.

Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion.

After two and a half years with Maharaj-ji, returned to USA – alas, six months after his return, word came that Maharaj-ji had died.

He took solace in music, finding peace and strength in both his Bhakti yoga practice as well as in such heroes as Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, and Bruce Springsteen (whom he laughingly calls “the Bodhisattva of New Jersey”). KD also co-founded Triloka Records, a California-based label specializing in world music, releasing such artists as Jai Uttal, sarod virtuoso Ali Akbar Khan, and legendary jazz musician/composer Jackie McLean.

In 1994, KD started leading chant at Jivamukti Yoga Center, NYC, with an ever-growing audience of yoga students that has led him to chant with people all around the world. In February 2013, Krishna Das performed at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles, CA streamed online to millions of viewers. The award-winning film ‘One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das’ has been in over 100 US cities, over 10 countries worldwide and is available on DVD everywhere.

With the release of his 16th album Peace Of My Heart , October 2018 – KD on behalf of the Kirtan Wallah Foundation offers nearly two hours of deeply moving, meditative and artfully restrained new recordings born out of a request from a yoga teacher who works with children on the Autism Spectrum. Forgoing the ecstatic tempo changes so common to temple-style kirtan, these 5 new tracks move slowly and deliberately.  The song to song steadiness is both striking and soothing, and as emotionally impactful as ever.

“The chanting just hits you and you want to be a part of it,” KD promises. “That’s the point of this whole thing. That’s what cuts through all the ‘stuff’. You get lit up. You don’t have to know what it means.”

 

SHORT BIO


Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das– known to friends, family, and fans as simply “KD” –has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. To date, KD has released 16 well received albums, including Live Ananda (released January 2012) that was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

KD spent the late ’60’s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in 1970, finally made the journey to India, where he met Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion.  After the passing of Maharaj-ji, he took solace in music, as well as finding peace and strength in his yoga chant practice.

In 1994, KD started leading chant in public first in NYC, and then to an ever-growing audience of yoga students, and expanding to chant with people all around the world. In February 2013, Krishna Das performed at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles, which streamed online to millions of viewers. The award-winning film ‘One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das’ has been in over 100 US cities, over 10 countries worldwide. and is available on DVD everywhere.

KD now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path, and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. During COVID times he has chanted online every week for the worldwide satsang. More information on KrishnaDas.com.

 

SUPER SHORT BIO


Few figures in modern spirituality, particularly in the West, have impacted the hearts and minds of contemporary seekers as Krishna Das has. A devotee of the North Indian Saint, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharajji), Krishna Das has played an enormous role in popularizing the traditional practice of kirtan in the West, taking the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and temples and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. In a career spanning more than two decades, KD has released 16 acclaimed full-length albums, his music serving as an easily approachable gateway to the devotional traditions of the East.   Along the way, he has evolved into an accessible if somewhat reluctant teacher, and a spiritual friend to many. He travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and stories of his life on the Path, of Maharajiji, and advocates for bringing regular spiritual practice into our lives through retreats and workshops. During COVID times he has chanted online every week for the worldwide satsang. More information on KrishnaDas.com.

 

KIRTAN WITH KRISHNA DAS DESCRIPTION


Kirtan is a simple and meditative traditional sadhana (spiritual practice.) The practice itself involves repetitive call and response singing between a leader and a group, where what is being  sung back and forth is mantra, sacred names, or names of God. Kirtan is said to awaken bhakti, a kind of reverential and loving devotion within the heart. In India, kirtan is given great importance as a sadhana that is suitable and accessible to all, particularly in this modern age, and this devotional singing can be heard and experienced in a myriad of forms and places. Kirtans with Krishna Das require no previous experience.  All are welcome.  KD is usually accompanied by a few expert musicians, and his kirtans generally last approximately two to three hours. Watch this video: Krishna Das – Chanting in the early days.

 

WORKSHOP WITH KRISHNA DAS DESCRIPTION


Krishna Das workshops are intimate forums providing the opportunity to dive deeper into the path through satsang (spiritual association.)  KD’s workshops typically last three to four hours and include a relatively minimal amount of chanting. KD often uses these forums to discuss the practice of kirtan, to share stories of Maharajji, to share life lessons, and to discuss the importance of integrating spiritual practices into our daily lives.  Some workshops are done in collaboration with like-minded teachers. There is generally plenty of time for questions and answers. Watch this video: Why join a workshop?

 

RETREAT WITH KRISHNA DAS DESCRIPTION


Retreats with Krishna Das are rare opportunities to deeply immerse ourselves in sadhana (spiritual practice) and spiritual company for longer periods of time. KD’s retreats usually last between two and seven days, and generally feature evening kirtans with KD and his band, daily workshops including question and answer sessions, Hanuman Chalisa practice, and often include sessions or collaborations with like-minded hatha yoga instructors or meditation teachers.  Retreats are offered at an assortment of locations at varying times throughout the year. Watch this video: Krishna Das Talks About Chanting as a Practice and on Retreat

 

KRISHNA DAS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS


Facebook @KrishnaDasMusic
Instagram @KrishnaDasMusic
YouTube @KrishnaDasMusic

QUOTES ABOUT KRISHNA DAS


“Krishna Das is an example of someone whose heartsongs open the channels to God.”
~RAM DASS

“I’ve met many people who regularly turn to Krishna Das’s chanting for hope when in sorrow, a sense of belonging when feeling adrift, and for the sheer joy of recalling the power of love. I’m just like that too.”
~ SHARON SALZBERG

“A fun, yet serious man with a voice that could move a mountain to Dance.”
~ WAYLON VIA WALK THE TALK SHOW, ELEPHANT JOURNAL, APRIL 8,2014

“The music begins and, five seconds later, I feel like I’m… home.”
~ JESSIE KORNBLUTH,THE HEADBUTLER ,APRIL 16, 2014

“Hailed as yoga’s “rock star,” Krishna Das put sacred Sanskrit mantras on the music map.”
~ ALAN DI PERNA, GRAMMY.COM, APRIL 17, 2014

“Krishna Das, The Yoga Rock Star”
~ ALAN DI PERNA, GRAMMY.COM, APRIL 17, 2014

“Don’t miss this album. It might be his best yet.”
~ZOE KORS, CD REVIEW: KIRTAN WALLAH BY KRISHNA DAS, APRIL 14, 2014

QUOTES BY KRISHNA DAS

 

“To love somebody is to let them be who they are and do what they have to do.”
~KRISHNA DAS

“The wave must think it’s really great. And then it dissolves. … Even when I think I’m a wave, I’m just ocean.”
~KRISHNA DAS

“Chanting breaks down the difference between the inside and the outside. It’s about having a heart that never shuts down, that nothing can shut down.”
~KRISHNA DAS

PHOTOS OF KRISHNA DAS


 

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