In an age where stimulation is the norm, the concept of slowing down is foreign to most. Kirtan Lounge is an anomaly, an experience that is built on the principles of intention, being present, and connecting. The project combines the old with the new, offering listeners an opportunity to connect with music on a deeper level.
Kirtan Lounge, as a concept, is not genre-specific and is open to interpretation, moving freely between meditative and more expressive chants.
Finding Stillness Through Sound
For Ananta Govinda, stillness is not an abstraction but rather a beginning. In the spiritual world, stillness is the space where awareness begins, where distractions disappear, and where one can experience the deeper reality of the moment. As he says, “Stillness is the base of a spiritual foundation. Only in that state can we truly receive pure sound.”
This concept is reflected in the music created by Kirtan Lounge. Some of the songs are designed to be simple, providing space for quiet, contemplative practices such as meditation or yoga.
However, the project has also tapped into the more dynamic side of Kirtan music. Kirtan, as a musical practice, is one in which participants sing, repeat, and share the words and rhythms. This is reflected in the project's more dynamic nature.
A Global Language of Devotion
Kirtan Lounge’s influences are varied, extending far beyond the Bhakti movement in India, where Kirtan has its roots. Gospel, reggae, Sufi, and other devotional music influences can be heard in Kirtan Lounge's sound.
This open-minded approach to music can be attributed to an their approach to spirituality in general. Music has been a means of expressing gratitude, adoration, and connection in all cultures across the globe. While the words may vary, the feeling is the same: “The names of God are cross-cultural and experiential,” says Ananta. “Like the sun, they are there for everyone.”
This is what makes Kirtan Lounge so accessible to those new to the world of Sanskrit mantras and devotional music: the feeling is the same, even if the words are new.
The Journey Within “Achutam Keshavam”
Their latest single release, ‘Achutam Keshavam,’ is a good example of this blend of traditional and contemporary elements. While the song is based on a traditional bhajan style, the track builds with a sense of movement and combines synthesized sounds with live instruments.
Another interesting element of the song is the contrast between Karnamrita Dasi's and Gopi Kallayil's voices. While Karnamrita’s voice is high-pitched and angelic, Gopi’s voice provides a deeper sense of presence in the music.
Creating Space in a Fast-Moving World
Kirtan Lounge is not about pulling people away from the world. Rather, it is about being in the world more. The music is used as an aid to help people become more connected to themselves, even in the midst of what could be very fragmented times.
Whether the listener is looking for something more introspective or something more communal, Kirtan Lounge offers an entry point. This is what allows each listener to connect with the music in their own way. In an age when everyone is trying to juggle multiple things at once, Kirtan Lounge is about refocusing that attention into one place. The music serves as a pathway to a place of balance.
Watch the music video for “Acutam Keshavam”:
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