Today is Sunday, and Kirtan with Upahar.
Kirtan is a beautiful, ancient practice of call-and-response chanting that forms a core part of Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion). At its heart, it’s about using music and sound to connect with the divine, the self, or the collective energy of a group.
1. The Structure
- The Wallah (Leader): A lead singer chants a mantra or the name of a deity (like Krishna, Shiva, or Ram).
- The Response: The audience chants the mantra back in unison.
- The Build: Most kirtans start slow and meditative, then gradually increase in tempo and intensity, often ending in a high-energy, joyful peak.
It was inspiring and touching as usual. Upahar has such a good voice and knows how to play the harmonium and flute. There must be around 100 people on the rooftop of Sunshine’s Guesthouse. After Kirtan, I was walking straight to Edwin’s for lunch. As Sunshine Guesthouse and Edwin’s are both on Perumbakkam Road, I was walking and not using my scooter. I was walking with Chris, who was born in Manchester and now lives in Australia. Gopika was also here. She went to her scooter and realised that she left her key in it. I said to her, There is a Dutch saying: ‘Trust life but lock your bike’. She said a Tunisian is saying, ‘Tie your camel, but trust life’.
On the way, Chris said something about Green Baba. Green Baba is a German man who is always seen wearing green clothes, primarily a lungi and a shirt. At this moment, Green Baba appeared on the side road. He stays in the Divine Light House opposite the house where I stay, Shiva Mantra Residency. Chris was waiting for him while I continued walking towards Edwin’s.
At Edwin’s, there was a delicious lunch, and for dessert, he had an orange soufflé. When I left Edwin’s, I saw the people coming out of Swami Atmananda’s Satsang. Three Indian ladies were asking for donations for school children. I gave them 500 Rupees, although I am not sure if they were trustworthy. I mean, they could have taken the money for themselves. This happens in Portugal as well. Some guys are collecting money for the police and firefighters, but they are not real.
On the way back home, I bought some organic eggs at the road, two Indian ladies were selling them for 15 Rupees each, none organic eggs you get for 8 Rupees each.
In the afternoon, I was with Sarah in the Ashram. Later, we bought some spices in the supermarket, and they were all organic. I have a good collection now for cooking in Portugal. We drove to the Amrutham Restaurant and had a delicious dinner with rice, paneer butter masala and raita.
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