TYPES OF KIRTAN

Kirtan is Call-and-response chanting performed in India's Bhakti devotional traditions.In the Bhagavad - Gita Lord Krishna states that great souls worship and glorify him single-mindedly, but the practice of Kirtan was popularized as a means in the Bhakti movement of the Moghul era. Kirtan is often suggested as the form of religious activity and best form of worships,suited to the present age. Kirtan are sung in chorus by many men and women who spread the message of love and dedication through their songs. Kirtan is categorised into different types.It is categorised under various schools.

Mainly there are five schools of Kirtan which are famous for their unique style and composition.

1)GARANHATI : This one was introduced by Narottamdas, a great Vaisnava Bhakta, resident of a place called Khetri in the pargana of Garerhat in Rajshahi.

2)MANOHARSHAHI: In the district of Burdwan from Manoharshahi pargana came this school which introduced by Acharya Srinivas and propagated by Jnandas and Balramdas.

3)MANDARINI: This school of Kirtan came from the Mandaran parganas in Midnapore district.

4)RENETI: This one came from Ranihati parganas in Burdwan district which introduced by Acharya Srinivas and subsequently popularised by Vaishnavadas and Uddhavadas.

5)JHARKHANDI: This school of Kirtan came from Jharkand situated in Midnapore district.

Though these five schools of Kirtan are famous but Mandarini, Reneti and Jharkhandi types of Kirtans are more or less out of practice now. Garanhati school is now revived by Brajamadhuri Sangha. Manoharshahi is mostly in vogue now. 

Picture Courtesy: Above website.

Kirtan is mainly categorised into four types. They are as follows.

1) NAM KIRTAN :- Singing the names of the Lord in melody is known as Nam Kirtan. In Nam Kirtan there is a repetition of the mere names of Lord Krishna.This is a special Sadhana by itself.The primary aim of Nam Kirtan is to attain Prema and the main aim of Vaisnava cult is to generate prema. Nam Kirtan is highly purifying form as the mind is easily elevated.

2)SAN KIRTAN:- Generally San Kirtan is conducted in temples and houses in the early morning hours.In San Kirtan one devotee first sings the names of Lord Krishna in melodious form and then the others follow him or her next.As this Kirtan is sung early in the morning it is also called "Prabhat Kirtan".This Kirtan is sung in Prabhat Pheri which means going round in the morning doing San kirtan of God's name in a batch.Generally San kirtan is done at the first in any spiritual congregations and assemblies.

3)LILA KIRTAN:- The love and friendship relation of Lord Krishna with Radha and other Sakhis(friends) in different circumstances and in different ways are termed as Lila.Any song composed and sung on such Lila is known as Lila Kirtan. Lila Kirtan is started by Lord Chaitanya Deb or Gauranga Deb.He described that this Kirtan  should be sung in the company of very inmates.All people are not fond of Lila Kirtan. As Lord Krishna believes whatever over floods the heart with bliss is termed as Ras,the songs based on this Ras are known as "Ras Kirtan". Kirtan. Lila Kirtan need to be sung by trained singers, otherwise unwittingly corruption of the inappropriate Ras Lila will be presented before the audiences.

4)DHAAP KIRTAN:- In the recent times a type of Kirtan usually sung by the women are termed as Dhaap  Kirtan. During Shraddha ceremonies when Brahmins and learned Pundits are performed the ceremonies Dhaap Kirtan are singed.Primarily Dhaap Kirtan are sung by women but in course of time women singers are replaced by men.

5)NAGAR KIRTAN:- Nagar Kirtan generally performed in the evening though it can also sometimes performed in the morning.In this form of Kirtan a group of devotees start from a particular place with Mridanga,Harmonium, Kartals, and other musical instruments needed in Kirtan. The devotees go round the town and return to the place where they started and do Arati to the Lord Krishna with great zeal. Nagar Kirtan is conducted on Purnima, Ekadashi, and other days sacred to the devotees like Ramnavami, Janmashtumi,etc.Many temples do Nagar Kirtan daily in the month of December, as this month is considered as very sacred according to Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

      This are mainly the famous categories though there are other forms of Kirtan which lost its existence in present days.

References:
1) Banglar Kirtan o Kirtania by Dr. Hariprasad Mukherjee
2) www.Kirtan variety.com