How can the practice of Kirtan assist us with what’s happening in the world today - particularly with trauma. In this episode, renown kirtanwalli, Nina Rao explains the devotional music chanted in bhajans, kirtan and the practice of Bhakti, and how we become receptive to the flow of grace through chanting. Nina also shares the story of Hanuman from the Ramayana and how through the practice of Maha mantra, a transmission of wisdom is received by the practitioner.
Nina Rao talks with tiger conservationists Dr. Ullas Karanth and Dr. Krithi Karanth about their work at the Centre for Wildlife Studies in India.
Dr. Ullas Karanth is the Managing Trustee and Director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies. His daughter, Dr. Krithi Karanth, is the Chief Conservation Scientist. They practice science-based conservation to promote the protection of wildlife. For over 20 years, Nina Rao’s Saving Wild Tigers has supported the Karanth’s work in creating viable sanctuaries for wild tigers.
Don’t miss Saving Wild Tigers online benefit concert: Sacred Music for Sacred Forests. Premiering at 7pm ET on May 30, join Nina and artists such as Trevor Hall, MC Yogi, and Krishna Das in their expression of love for nature.
Dr. Ullas Karanth is the Managing Trustee and Director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies. His daughter, Dr. Krithi Karanth, is the Chief Conservation Scientist. They practice science-based conservation to promote the protection of wildlife. For over 20 years, Nina Rao’s Saving Wild Tigers has supported the Karanth’s work in creating viable sanctuaries for wild tigers.
Nina welcomes Ullas and Krithi, and asks both how they came to their love of tigers and wildlife. Ullas talks about his efforts to help restore the tiger population in India, and how there’s room to create more wilderness habitats for tigers around the globe. They discuss the importance of biodiversity, and the deep culture of tolerance for wildlife in India.
“In general, [humans] want nature. And I think it’s like priceless paintings that you have inherited. Why do you want to rip it up for a couple dollars?” –Dr. Ullas Karanth
Nina asks Krithi about the projects she has created for the Centre for Wildlife Studies, including one that looks at the scale of interaction between humans and wildlife in India. Nina and Ullas talk about the work he does in the field, and his program to train the next generation of conservationists.
“One thing that struck me was no matter where we went, and how many households we talked to, there was an acknowledgement that these spaces were to be shared with animals. Sometimes the animals cause problems, but inherently there is this recognition that these animals have been around as long, if not longer, than us.” – Dr. Krithi Karanth
Nina asks Ullas about the news of the tiger at the Bronx Zoo that was infected with Covid-19. They discuss how wildlife poaching in India has increased due to the pandemic lockdown. Krithi talks about the scope of another program she runs, and how everyone who works in the NGO sector is affected by the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic.
“A human being can pass on Covid to a tiger if he literally hugs and kisses it, which happens in zoos, but it’s highly unlikely to happen in the wild in India.” – Dr. Ullas Karanth
CHITHEADS from Embodied Philosophy
Robert Thurman joins Nina Rao for a conversation around strategies we can use to restore our balance with nature for the sake of our connection, Beauty, and global climate.
Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. Keep up with Robert at bobthurman.com
Find events near you featuring dharma talks, meditations and chanting with Nina at ninaraochant.com. Register here for the Sacred Music for Sacred Forests Benefit Concert with Nina, Krishna Das and Friends, NYC May 30, 2020. You can learn more about ways you can preserve the natural habitat of India’s tigers at Nina Rao’s wilderness conservation non-profit charity: savingwildtigers.org
Experience transformation through the power of chanting to the goddess in her many forms and through meditation on the maṇḍala—a universal map for inner and outer balance, wholeness, and practical awakening. Chandra and Nina share a deep interest in the complementary wisdom and devotional traditions of Tibet and India honoring the divine feminine. They will weave together mystical stories, visualizations, meditations, mantra repetition, and singing chants.
ANUBHAV is the title of the album ~ Anubhav is a word Ma spoke when talking with Nina about how important it is to have a disciplined practice so it may blossom into each one’s own direct experience of the Divine, the Soul, the One. This inner knowing or perception or feeling, Anubhav, is what guides us on the Path of Life.
Nina Rao learned traditional chants (bhajans) from her grandfather in a village in south India when she nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das' business manager and assistant, often touring with him playing cymbals and singing. In 2007, she recorded the track 'Nina Chalisa' on Krishna Das' CD "Flow of Grace " and in January 2013, she released her debut album, "Antarayaami - Knower of All Hearts". Nina regularly leads kirtan, chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, and sings for yoga classes in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY and beyond.
Here's an interview and chant (with Uma and me) - "Positive Energy" on Princeton Community TV that you might enjoy.
Exploring the Devotional Path with Nina Rao
Michele Granberg interviews well-known Kirtan artist Nina Rao, who travels the world with Krishna Das, about her spiritual journey. Nina and her daughter Uma share a beautiful sanskrit chant.
Devotion is a phenomenon more universal than any particular tradition, for devotion can be as varied as love itself. In the dharmic traditions, the term for devotion is bhakti. As Bhakti Yoga, it is a form of practice characterized by devotion to a deity. The more popular forms of bhakti are Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta in character (devoted to Krishna, Shiva, or forms of the Goddess, respectively). In all of these traditions, bhakti is both a form of religious and contemplative practice since love for a particular form of God/Goddess is widely accepted as one of the most effective ways to focus the mind.
In this free online conference, we will discover both traditional and non-traditional forms of bhakti. We will explore the ways in which devotion transforms our world, from the inside out. Just as falling in love has the power to shape and renew one’s worldview, becoming a Bhakta transmutes our vision and refines our heart. Love for the divine further empowers the devotee to transcend aspects of mundane existence, as it challenges common and selfish expressions of love. By dedicating our practice to a principle or deity that transcends the ephemeral, we can begin to taste the fullness of embodied love and its liberating possibilities.
This conference, as with all programming at Embodied Philosophy, will seek to strike a balance between scholarship and practice. Each participant has been invited to share embodied bhakti-informed practices as well as scholarship and research relevant to Bhaktas and the various Bhakti traditions.
We will learn about:
The history of Vaishnava Bhakti
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā
How to live the life of the heart
The yogic practices of devotion
The character of Hanuman, the personification of devotion from the Ramayana
How Bhakti yoga differs from other forms of yoga
Why serving the divine will save the world
The relationship between the Bhakta (or practitioner) and Bhakti
The relationship between the human and the divine in Vaishnava Bhakti
Stories from the Indian tradition that are central to Bhakti
Sri Krishna
The 9 Practices of Vaidhī Bhakti
I am so pleased to be included as a presenter in this free online event coming up Oct 4 to 6, 2019.
Sign up here!
https://www.embodiedphilosophy.org/a/17738/tSca2zU2
This is an experiential program in chanting the names of the Divine from the Indian tradition. Chanting of these Names creates a devotional space for your hearts to open into.
Read MoreNina Rao visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a chat with Raghu about the transformative power of mantra and the fruits of pursuing a spiritual path.
Nina learned traditional chants from her grandfather in a village in south India when she was nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das’ business manager and assistant, often touring with him playing kartals (cymbals) and singing. In January 2013, she released her debut album, Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts and her sophomore album, Anubhav, in 2018. Nina regularly leads kirtan, chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, and sings for yoga classes in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY and beyond. Keep up with Nina Rao at ninaraochant.com.
It’s a been a wonderful journey of 40 days through this pre-sale campaign on Kickstarter which ended June 29 - I am so grateful for the support for my new music.
If you are a Kickstarter backer, please review this important information:
- June 29 - July 14: Pre-sale campaign on Kickstarter ended June 29. Kickstarter takes 2 weeks to process your payments. If they have any issues they will have emailed you directly at the email address you used to make your pledge.
- Around July 18: check your email box used to make your Kickstarter pledge - look for an email via Kickstarter that requests you to fill out an information ‘survey’. Please make sure you complete that survey answering all questions as soon as possible. It is the ONLY way we have to collect your information (shipping address, email address to send the digital album), to get your reward. Note - when you made the pledge during the campaign you were not asked for address for delivery, so you will have to provide it at this time.
- Starting early August: Those who have provided all delivery information (see above), will receive from us an email for you to download the digital version of the album - downloadable from your computer only (not tablet or mobile phone)
Our plan for those who pledged for physical CDs and responded with delivery information is, that we will start delivering them later in August in the mail.
General release of the Anubhav album will be available through all major channels in later Fall 2018. We will keep you posted!
Thank you again for your support, I look forward to chanting with all very soon. Check out my event schedule and come chant live with me!
Ram Ram
Love Love
Yogic Paths has all episodes available for streaming!
Episode 01: Exploring The Yogic Path is FREE to non-members.
Explore the vast tradition of yoga with the Gaia Original Series, Yogic Paths. Filmed across India, the 13-episode series captures the beauty of mystical Indian landscapes and never before seen ashrams while taking the viewer on a journey through the many traditions of yoga. Yogic Paths explores eight forms of yoga: Hatha, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, Tantra, Raja, Kriya, and Kundalini, as well as the esoteric practices of Nada and the Siddhis -- all of which ultimately lead to self-realization.
While the practice of physical postures called asanas is most well-known in the West, understanding the full scope of this rich and varied tradition gives meaning and power to the yoga we know today. An incredibly honest and deep exploration of yoga, Yogic Paths is a docu-series of thoughtful interviews that touch the heart and encourage self-discovery, reminding us how deeply we are all connected.
Today is the launch of my new CD pre-sale on Kickstarter.
Find out more about the CD and get your very own copy!
CLICK HERE
OCEAN OF CHANT AND MANTRA
We are so exciting to be doing this again, this summer. Here is some information. Come join us!
This retreat is for everyone; no chanting experience required!
Immerse yourself in the sacred practice of chant—from the spiritual traditions of India—to quiet the mind, open the heart, and most of all, feel connected. Whether you are an experienced chanter or just beginning, come explore practices that transform you from the inside out, including
Japa (mantra repetition)
Asana practice led by Keli Lalita, connecting body and mind with breath and movement, accompanied by live chanting and music
Group chanting of prayers and kirtan (call-and-response chanting of Divine Names) with the bhakti band
Recitation of prayers including the Hanuman Chalisa, Devi (Goddess) prayers, and Krishna bhakti tradition prayers
Puja (devotional offerings)
Optional early-morning guided meditation.
Take time out to retreat into the hridaya, the cave of your own heart, and create a sustainable personal practice that fits into your daily routine. Word sheets are provided, as well as reading and audio lists for support after the retreat. Come spend time with like-minded seekers and practice together as you strengthen your own practice and find that inner place of refuge to which you can always return.
Yoga will be taught by my dear friend Keli Lalita Reddy.
Evening Event
Saturday, June 23, 7:30–9:30 pm
Nina Rao and Friends
Free for program participants and in-house guests; no general public tickets available.
The Power of Mantra to Transform Us from the Inside Out.
A conversation with Bhajan Singer Nina Rao. Written by Anjula April 2, 2018
Levitating Monkey: How did you first come to be interested in learning traditional chants (bhajans)?
Nina Rao: My grandfather, who was a civil engineer for the British government in south India also happened to be a self-taught talented bhajan singer, bansuri flute player, and chanted bhajans by south Indian composers. When we visited our ancestral home, as a young girl I noticed his harmonium and asked him to play something and
for the first time we sang bhajans with him. Around that time, he also had satsang at home for certain festivals and family
and friends from the village attended and I was enthralled to notice that even the youngsters knew the bhajans and could
lead them easily and it didn’t matter how great a voice you had. Those were my first experiences of the transportive power
of sacred chanting, and then we left India and I never chanted again…
READ FULL INTERVIEW
I had the pleasure of leading kirtan at one of the first New York screenings of this film on Sunday March 18
Happy to share a few photos from the evening and a short video of some “Devi Pranamah” at screening of Mantra - Sounds into Silence at the Rubin Museum of Art Noah Hoffeld on cello, Tom Cucinotta on mridanga, and Keli Lalita Yoga and Kirtan in kartals and responses.
If you would like to find out more about the film and upcoming screenings across the US, click here.
Mantra — Sounds into Silence is a feature-length documentary, that, through the eyes and ears of its’ protagonists, explores the new music and social phenomenon of chanting. It showcases both intimate Kirtan gatherings and large concert performances by artists like Deva Premal & Miten with Manose, Krishna Das, and Snatam Kaur, to name just a few. We also learn about the artists paths to chanting and we hear in depth stories from some of the many people who have benefited from Kirtan. It’s a film about spirituality not religion, it’s about people reconnecting with their true selves and finding ways to navigate through life more peacefully.
If you are interested in bringing Mantra movie to your city, community, and friends please click here for instructions on how you can do that!
Here is an interview I did for German magazine VISIOEN. I will post an translation as soon as it is available, but in the meantime, if you read German ... enjoy!
Nina Rao, cantante de kirtan y mánager de Krishna Das, habla de su infancia en la India y de su relación con los cantos devocionales.
Nina Rao, kirtan singer and manager of Krishna Das, talks about her childhood in India and her relationship with devotional singing.
Nina Rao, cantante de kirtan y mánager de Krishna Das, habla del canto devocional como forma de práctica.
Nina Rao, a kirtan singer and manager of Krishna Das, talks about devotional singing as a form of practice.
