Modern Bhajans???

[talasiga]

Originally posted by suryaz:

 

Certainly guitars and tambourines, as with mrdangas and kartals were used in kirtan (both in the temple and on Hari-nam) in Australian up until 1975. Then Madhudvisa changed the focus and emphasised more "Vedic" musical instruments for temple programs, although occasionally guitars were used for Hari-nam. In the1980-90’s however, travelling ‘sankirtan’ bus-parties headed by Ramai Swami were equipped with electric guitars and all the typical Jazz, Rock and modern instruments. Again chanting, English lyrics and Indian bhajans were engaged.

 

Tambourine is a most "vedic" instrument.

 

 

[mahak]

Haribol. There have been many songs that have many meanings, and some authors were quite influenced by the Krsna Consciousness Movement in their arrangements.

 

Of course, brother George was at the forefront, but Bob Dylan also wrote "shelter from the storm" while studying the gita.

 

I was always associated with folks who used western tunes. My favorite melody is always the mahamantra to "Guns across the river" by dylan, and other "pat garrett vs billy the kid" tunes, especially "knockin on heavens door".

 

The album produced by siddha was very nice, the lyrics were also quite pleasing to the system. Criticism against this devotee has always been out of envy, so be it. A later compellation, "mantra electric", has to be the best music, very talented, very contemporary.

 

I always liked the early hamsaduta tapes, but i heard his phillippeans album, and this was unadulterated garbage, no talent, just self adoration and too many quaaludes.

 

Jesus says "pray as I do, holy be the name of the supreme father". All songs that serve this end are valuable, and the people in general are greatly benefitted who may hear. Language always changes, so to be hung up on such vibrations may not be the best course.

 

haribol, ys, mahaksadasa

[Gauracandra]

Mahak,

 

First of all I love the song "Knocking on Heaven's Door" but in all honesty can't quite get the tune to fit with the Mahamantra in my head

 

The album produced by siddha was very nice, the lyrics were also quite pleasing to the system. Criticism against this devotee has always been out of envy, so be it.

This is my impression as well. I mentioned before that he has a program on tv in my area. If you watch it, the philosophy's the same, though there is a little bit of a different mood. But I'm impressed that he has stayed on message throughout all these years. I don't know him much, but he seems like a good guy.

 

Gauracandra

[Jagat]

I heard that Harikesh also made a few records. Were they any good?

[suryaz]

Originally posted by talasiga:

Tambourine is a most "vedic" instrument.

 

____________

Yes! That may be. I am sorry I should have written more clearly. Instead of writing "Vedic" I should have written 'Vedic', or perhaps both.

 

Yes, I was using temple lingo and at the same time repeating the use of language (by someone) in the relative context at the give period in history. I do not really know what the correct punctuation format is in this situation. On the one hand 'Vedic' is correct and on the other hand I was repeating Madhu's said word. (Anybody know?)

 

Humm! The "Great Dividing Range"; that spans a huge distance. I am in Victoria. Do I know you? I am interested to talk with you. If you want to write to me I am suryaz@hotmail.com

 

Suryaz

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by suryaz (edited 08-06-2001).]

[atma]

Originally posted by Jagat:

I heard that Harikesh also made a few records. Were they any good?

They were terrible. Many devotees had to sell them in Europe and some of them said that they were so embarrased for selling that garbage. The other one that was really bad was Suhotra Swami. Really creepy kind of stuff.

When I lived in Mayapur, most of my neighbours were Harikesh disciples and I had to hear that bad rock all day long. Even once they convinced Jananivas prabhu to put HK song greeting Lord Nrisimhadev instead of the usual prayers. Thanks God they got back to their senses and that lasted only one morning.

Sometimes I got so mad that I used to put my tape recorder full blast with Prabhupada's bhajans to try to cover up HK's squeaky voice.

Another Italian that still around with music is Krsna Prema. He has some cool ragas and songs.

Jagat prabhu, was your name Hiranya Garbha before? Or am I mistaken?

 

[talasiga]

Originally posted by suryaz:

 

Yes, I was using temple lingo and at the same time repeating the use of language (by someone) in the relative context at the give period in history. I do not really know what the correct punctuation format is in this situation. On the one hand 'Vedic' is correct and on the other hand I was repeating Madhu's said word. (Anybody know?)

 

Humm! The "Great Dividing Range"; that spans a huge distance. I am in Victoria. Do I know you? I am interested to talk with you. If you want to write to me I am suryaz@hotmail.com

 

 

I was not attacking your language. Rather I was promoting the humble, glorious tambourine which is seen on ancient pre-christian era frescoes and sculptures in India along with the sacred six holed bamboo flute.

________

 

The Great Dividing Range, one of the longest ranges in the world - what a span - Bartle Frere, Mount Tambourine, Mount Warning, Mount Banks, Cathedral Mountains.....

 

Shivaaya Namah Aum Shivaaya Namah Aum Shivaaya Namah Aummmmm Namah Shivaaya

 

Dha - Thina Naga Dhina / Dha a a Thin Naga Dhin - /Dha a a Thin Naga Dhin - / Dha - Thina Naga Dhin -

 

So, how could you know me?

I am lost in the highlands.

Drowning out the pain of separation.

 

Your unknown friend

talasiga@hotmail.com

 

[Jagat]

Jagat prabhu, was your name Hiranya Garbha before? Or am I mistaken?

The very same.

 

 

[mahak]

Haribol. The knocking on Heaven's Door tune was a great standard in the early seventies in hawaii when gaurasundara and govinda dasi had the temple in manoa valley on mckinley street.

 

The standard tune by srila prabhupada is also very nice, but if one has the ear, it is the same classic tune as woody guthrie's "This land is your land". And quite appropriate for his divine grace to introduce the americaqn youth to such a tune.

 

Some may say no, but the resemblance is there nonetheless. Maybe its like brother george's use of "hes so fine" for "my sweet lord". The courts ruled "no fault" as the tune was well played in the subconscious.

 

The chiffon's are eternally blessed by having their tune used for such a nice chanting melody. The owner of the copyright is eternally cursed for making out like a crime was committed.

 

This land is your land and so is this mantra.

 

Ever wonder what donovan leach was doing by saying Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, gurdy gurdy, the song. Roly poly, roly poly, poly poly, the song.

 

He was singing about a gentleman who played on a harmonium (another synonym for hurdy gurdy) and was bringing songs of love.

 

And when quinn the eskimo gets here, everybody going to run to Him.

 

Krsna is the ability in man, and the true and reknowned artists of the world are in tune with the gift, some recognize the source, some dont, but Krsna is free to present Himself in any way He so pleases.

 

Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

 

PS But, then again, devotees may see Krsna in anything, even if an artist had no conscious intention.

 

PSS, BTW, if anyone has opportunity to se the masterpiece painting by Bottacelli titled "Joseph and the Christ Child", gaze upon the fathers eyes and then tell me if the paternal rasa is not present. There is sweet parental love that only father's can have, but there is also wonderment.

[JRdd]

Great reading here. I'm with those who feel it's not a black and white issue, I mean even Srila Prabhupada told George Harrison to continue his service--which as we all probably know inspired a lot of people. I heard My Sweet Lord the night before hitchhiking across the states, and my companion and I sang Hare Krsna the whole way; at the end of our journey we walked into the house of some friends and promptly read about the devotees in that town and I joined a couple weeks later.

Thanks for straightening that out about the

Road Show, Mahak, that's exactly what I remember about it too, and add to the record that when we were watching that show in the presence of His Divine Grace, at the Syrian Mosque in Pittsburgh, he was grinning from ear to ear. Srila Prabhupad is most liberal--but not at the expense of his disciples' best interests. He has the art of liberality fine tuned, expert that he is, and balancer that he is. (Wish you didn't have to twist that to fit your own version Jagat, for you really can be so objective in so many ways, and I appreciate many points you have made in this excellent thread. Why not just make peace with Srila Prabhupada rather than playing it out for forumites? Sorry, no offense intended, just wish there was more cohesion--amongst ALL of us.)

One of my most ecstastic recent kirtans was last week when at a friend's, and all we had to play on was someone's electronic keyboard, which was so sophisticated we couldn't make it act normal so were faced with jazzy rocky rhythms, and while a third friend was ready to shine it on, two of us went with it and it became a mix of both spontaneous English lyrics (wish I'd written them down afterwards) and the mahamantra, and sometimes we were laughing so hard we could hardly sing at all but it flowed into a great mahamantra bhajan, inecitably. And the third person said the next day, Let's do it again. I can't spend too much time worrying about the quality of that kirtan because from my paltry largely unsadhanic life it was a milion times better than nothing, and it tricked me into chanting more. And back to the Syrian Mosque, when I tried to stop some small boys from mocking the mahamantra in front of Srila Prabhupada, his sharp glance told me to stop, and the result was that those boys were soon dancing and chanting with the rest of the devotees. So whatever it takes, I say....

Just like Srila Prabhupada I understand used to keep a jar full of gulab jammons around to keep those early New York devotees from "blooping". Wish I'd been there.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who emphasized time and circumstance in true personalistic style. All glories to George Harrison and other musicians who dovetail their talents for the benefit of humankind. All glories to the devotees here, meeting minds and sometimes hearts in these discussions.

Bring on the songs!

 

[Jagat]

Lyrical praise of the Lord is also quite nice, and if one is a songwriter by nature, it is only natural that psalms of praise of the Supreme Lord will come from a devotee of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada may have stopped the "road show" but not because of the "english songs", it was done to curb the "rock star" mentality that was being formed, not necessarily by jayatirtha and other devotees in the group, but for those who wanted to make their devotional service a "rock and roll" experiance. Egomania and "wannabeism" are things that a spiritual master must curb in the desire of disciples.

 

This is probably true. Still, in view of the example that Jaya Radhe herself gives (Those little kids chanting Hare Krishna), I wonder whether it may not have just been better to let them go on with it.

 

I suppose I am just trying to second-guess Prabhupada. In some alternative universe, the road show is still going on.

 

[JRdd]

Hari bol, Jagat prabhu. It was my understanding that in the Road Show some of the devotees really were getting carried away in the rock and hippie mentality that they had not so long before left, and I believe truly that there is a big difference between making allowances in order to encourage somoene like those little boys, who had never been exposed to Krsna consciousness, and curbing the desires of his disciples, who presumably were at least to some degree sincere and serious about pursuing the path of Krsna consciousness. That is the duty of a guru, to be sensitive to what is best for each individual disciple and prescribe accordingly as the spiritual doctor. Wouldn't you agree?

Now here I hope I will not get too personal and I may be way off mark here too, and certainly off the point of this thread unless one looks at it broadly, but it seems to me that whatever happened between you and Srila Prabhupada, Jagat, is in the past and though others may like to bring that up to you in the present, you don't have to live up to whatever was once said (which I really don't know about) by Srila Prabhupada. You obviously have heart so why emphasize the other so much, seeming to make a religion of "objectivity"? Forgive me if I offend, I just can not help seeing more in you than you sometimes show on the forums, and I would not bother saying this if I felt you were truly stubborn about this. I sometimes find myself wondering what Srila Prabhupada would say today if he were physically present, about devotees he chastised in the past. On another forum someone told of a public lecture by some sannyasi who let it be known what Srila Prabhupada said about a certain disciple; according to the forumite telling this story, when this disciple heard about it (having known nothing about it), he left the movement. I only mean all this in the kindest sense, but I do put my mouth in my foot a lot. I can't make you respect Srila Prabhupada more but for your sake I sure wish you would, brother.

Jayaradhe

[mahak]

Haribol. My memory of the road show was that some wanted to adopt the "dress" of the rock culture, the short skirts, the fringe jackets, etc. This is where the line was drawn, that we must be devotees first, expertly playing western instruments and singing nice tunes to the mahamantra lyricism.

 

In retrospect with other things, I remember how strong Srila Prabhupada was on this point, that we advertize ourselves as devotees of the Lord, first by our character, and of course, the dress was also deemed so important. So, the above mentioned "reason" for moving away from the Road Show is consistant.

 

The grave inconsistancy, though, was started at about the same time that the road show was cancelled. I personally think it was Kirtanananda's influence that made devotees reject puiblic appearance in dhoti, sari, and other external symbolism of Vaisnavism. The samkirtana in the street became a fraud because of this, folks did not recognize an honest religious experiance, they were accosted by thieves and rogues disguised (meaning that the devotional gear under the wigs, suits, and western dress was the artificial dress) to extract funds.

 

So, though Srila Prabhupada wanted us to maintain innocence by cancelling excesses of the "road show" mentality, our innocence was lost nevertheless by the "love of money". (Note: A sidebar is that money is not declared the root of all evil, it is "love" of money that is the root of all evil. Money was coming naturally, and it was all good, but when love of money replaced love of god and guru, evil manifested.)

 

Ironic.

 

Haribol, ys, mahaksadasa

 

ps It would be nice if bahudaka das read here, it would be very nice to hear his perspective of the road show as a central member. I know a few others, but they are very private, and Im not at liberty to discuss any info in that regard. In the final cut, Lord Chaitanya's moon is still a-risin.

 

pss Another devotee who has wonderful music is devavani dd. I heard she published limited editions, El Paso, Texas, area, but this was in the mid-eighties.

[Bhaktavasya]

 

Jayaradhe; how's this for a modern bhajan:

(could remind one of the gopis singing to Krishna)

 

Love of My Life by Santana

 

Where you are, that's where I wanna be

And through your eyes

All the things I want to see

And in the night you are my dream

You're everything to me.

 

Chorus: You're the love of my life

And the breath in my prayers

Take my hand, lead me there

You are the love of my life

 

I can't forget the taste of your mouth

From your lips the heavens pour out

I can't forget when we are one

With you alone I am free

 

Everyday, every night, you alone

You're the love of my life.

 

We go dancing in the moonlight

With the starlight in your eyes

We go dancing till the sunrise

You and me we're gonna

dance, dance, dance

[mahak]

Haribol, if jijaji reads here, i bet he knows the words to one of georges best songs, the ending of the cartoon "yellow submarine", titled "It's All Too Much". Not only does it show the superb talent of George, the guitarist, who even Clapton cannot approach, but the lyrics is a discussion with the Guru who never leaves the interior of any of us, if we would only remember. "Life is just a birthday cake, take a piece, but not too much."

[JRdd]

http://www.geocities.com/theopenheart/georgecard.html

 

Picture of George/Prabhupada collage at link (tried to put it here but it was a now you see it now you don't kind of thing)

 

 

[This message has been edited by JRdd (edited 08-10-2001).]

[jijaji]

IT'S ALL TOO MUCH

by GEORGE HARRISON

 

When I look into your eyes,

Your love is there for me

And the more I go inside,

The more there is to see

 

It's all too much for me to take,

The love that shines all around you

Everywhere, it's what you make,

For us to take it's all too much

 

Floating down the stream of time,

From life to life with me

Makes no differance where you are,

Or where you'd like to be

 

It's all too much for me to take,

The love that shines all around here

All the world is birthday cake,

So take a piece, but not too much

 

Sail me on a silver sun,

Where I know that I'm free

Show me that I'm everywhere,

And get me home for tea

 

It's all too much for me to take,

The love that shines all around you

Everywhere, it's what you make,

For us to take, it's all too much

 

It's all too much

Ah-

It's too much

 

With your long blond hair and your eyes of blue

You're too much-ah-

Too much, too much, too much etc.

 

 

 

 

------------------

PEACE NOW

[mahak]

God, I wish I had the guitar part, my spine is tingling thinkin about the instrumentation that goes with this song. Thanks much, Jij, you be di bes.

[Tarun]

Random: Jorge Barreiro was from Uruguay?

About 7 yrs ago he ran for President there.

Good musician.

Never led kirtan that I know of.

He got 1st from SatsvarUp Mhrj => GurudAs. He was shaved up for some time (1979ish).

Then he returned to his usual routine of escorting a parade of women twice his size through 340 West 55th Street's front doors down into Govinda's restaurant for a transcendental bite.

[Guest guest]

Originally posted by Tarun:

Random: Jorge Barreiro was from Uruguay?

About 7 yrs ago he ran for President there.

Good musician.

Never led kirtan that I know of.

He got 1st from SatsvarUp Mhrj => GurudAs. He was shaved up for some time (1979ish).

Then he returned to his usual routine of escorting a parade of women twice his size through 340 West 55th Street's front doors down into Govinda's restaurant for a transcendental bite.

Yes, Uruguay. I thought you used to come by the studio when you worked for Yogesvara at Bala Books. I thought it was you. Back in the summer of 78. Remember the midnight feasts from leftover restaurant prasadam, with Bayahari chanting Nrsingha mantras to chase the ghosts out the windows? Those were the days...

[Tarun]

Personally, I prefer Bangla bhajans Bangla style.

I prefer Hank Williams Hank Williams style, Beethoven Beethoven style, etc.

That tape "Temple of the Mind" was really great, wherein that devotee SaccidAnanda or Sacinandan recorded Ami Yamuna Puline and Manma Mana Mandire...

Supposedly his great grandma learned these bhajans' appropriate tunes/ragas directly from their author Zrila Bhaktivinod ThAkur himself.

Family paramparA sometimes supercedes...

Holy Blood is thicker than Holy Water...

Jagatji:: Harikeza cut 9 LP vinyl albums by 1984.

"dharmaxetre kuruxetre" wasn't too bad.

Some cuts a bit too jumpy.

Sounded like Blues Project's "I Can't Keep From Crying" with the crying left out.

"Wow! You Can't Wake a Man who's Pretending to Sleep" wasn't too bad.

Problm with Harikeza bhajan was only he sang.

Many of his recordings were in dire need of harmony or response.

HamsadUta had cut 5 by 1984 - one was excellent, the rest a bit too repetitious whiney.

Too much distraction fighting with Ramezvar: Lily White, etc.

Guru Guru Off the Wall

Who's the Heaviest of Them All

was HamsadUta's most memorable.

My Italian professor was very impressed by BhagavAn das' rendition of JIv JAgo at end of 1st Italian bhajan cassette - orange label.

[Bhaktavasya]

 

Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen

 

All the sisters of mercy

they are not departed or gone

they were waiting for me

when I thought that I just can't go on

And they brought me their comfort

and later they brought me this song

Oh I hope you run into them

you who've been travelling so long

 

You who must leave everything

that you cannot control

it begins with your family

but soon it comes round to your soul

I've been where you're hanging

I think I can see how you've pinned

When you're not feeling holy

your loneliness tells you you've sinned

 

They lay down beside me

I made my confession to them

they touched both my eyes

and I touched the dew on their hem

If your life is a leaf

that the seasons tear off and condemn

they will bind you with love

that is graceful and green as a stem

 

When I left they were sleeping

I hope you run into them soon

don't turn on the light

you can read their address by the moon

and you won't make me jealous

if I hear that they sweetened your night

we weren't lovers like that

and besides it would still be all right

 

 

 

 

[amanpeter]

Thanks, Bhaktavasya prabhu!

 

[This message has been edited by amanpeter (edited 08-11-2001).]

[Bhaktavasya]

You're welcome; my pleasure, prabhu

 

Originally posted by amanpeter:

Thanks, Bhaktavasya prabhu!

 

[This message has been edited by amanpeter (edited 08-11-2001).]

 

[talasiga]

Leonard Cohen in "Anthem":-

 

"There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in"

 

I always think of the spiritual paths when I hear this. Actually I love the whole song.

 

 

 

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talasiga@hotmail.com