KIRTAN -Definition & Origin:
Kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, typically about the life of Krishna and Radha, in which a group repeats the lines sung by the Leader.The origin of the word "KIRTAN" is from the two Sanskrit word 'Kirta' meaning "Famous" and 'Trin' meaning "Praise".
In Bengali the word "Kirtan" means দেবতাদের উদ্দেশে গীত ভজনগান। In English the word Kirtan means adoration or praising of the Divine. Kirtan is call and response chanting performed in India's Bhakti devotional traditions.Kirtan is the congregational chanting of God Holy's name.
Traditionally, Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the Mridanga ( the two headed drum),Manjira (small hand cymbals) and Kartal (big hand cymbals).But with the changing time Kirtan songs are experimenting with modern instruments like Harmonium and Tablas. Kirtan is majorly practiced by the Vaisnavas, though later other religious group like Sikh,Buddhist and the Sant traditions also practiced Kirtan.
Picture Courtesy: Google Image Mridanga
Picture Courtesy : Google Image Manjira
Picture Courtesy: Google Image Kartal
Kirtan is sometimes accompanied by story-telling and acting along with songs.Text typically covers religious, mythological or social subjects. Katha Kirtan is a one man theatre. The narrator gesticulates and dramatises the emotions of the various characters as he unfolds the story of Krishna through solo recital. Katha Kirtan has been a traditional medium of mass education.
People of all faiths are welcome to take part in Kirtan as Lord Krishna said to Arjuna (According to Bhagavad Gita) :- "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become my devotee, offer songs to me and worship me.Surely you will come to me. "
In 15th century famous Vaisnavi monk Sri Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Deb promotes Vaisnaism through Kirtan songs. Before Chaitanya Deb Kirtan was practiced by Boru Chandidas, Dijon Chandidas,Din Chandidas, Bidyapati, Kobi Joydev and its Geet Gobinda.
Earlier Kirtan are limited to the boundary of Bengal. Kirtan were sung in houses and temples in different religious occasions. Sometimes Kirtan are sung in obituary occasion also. But ISKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) makes Kirtan popular worldwide. Branches all over the world like in New York, England, Melbourne makes Kirtan popular. From 1967 on wards Kirtan is practices both Nationally and Internationally.
The famous lines in Kirtan which are sung by the devotees of Krishna are:
References:
Padabalir Kirtaner Itihash by Swami Praggananda
Picture Courtesy: Google Image
Earlier Kirtan are limited to the boundary of Bengal. Kirtan were sung in houses and temples in different religious occasions. Sometimes Kirtan are sung in obituary occasion also. But ISKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) makes Kirtan popular worldwide. Branches all over the world like in New York, England, Melbourne makes Kirtan popular. From 1967 on wards Kirtan is practices both Nationally and Internationally.
The famous lines in Kirtan which are sung by the devotees of Krishna are:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Ram Hare Ram
Ram Ram Hare Hare
References:
Padabalir Kirtaner Itihash by Swami Praggananda
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