Begin Playing in Kirtan
after just 4 lessons!
Play with proficiency in as little as 90 days
We’ve trained more than 250 students!
In the Mridanga course you will learn:
Hastha Sadhana (Mridanga Hand Practices)
Hattuti (Compositions)
Das pahira (Slow speed)
Kaharba (Medium speed)
Kaharba Lohara (Fast Speed)
and many more advanced taalas and thekas.
you will also learn composition, freestyle, theory, and kirtan culture.
Other courses we offer:
What is Kirtan?
Kirtan translates as “reciting” or “chanting”. It is specifically a call-and-response style of music where the Kirtan leader, typically playing the Harmonium, chants the Hare Krishna Mantra or a traditional Bhajan to a melody, and the crowd responds. The Kirtan is often accompanied by the instruments listed above. The Kartals (aka Manjira or Karatala) form the ‘metronome” of the Kirtan owing to the fact that they are much louder than the other instruments and usually keep a consistent rhythm. The Mridanga also keeps a steady beat but often varies more in style than the Kartals, and is naturally quieter. The crowd will clap, dance, and sing along. The Bansuri (bamboo flute) and other instruments add further dynamics to the Kirtan.
Kirtan is an energetic and joyous form of mantra meditation. In the sacred language sanskrit ‘man’ means the mind and ‘tra’ means to deliver, liberate, or release. The two halves form the word mantra. A mantra is like a spiritual super phrase that has the potent ability to liberate and free the mind.
From what you ask?
Mantras can free the mind from grief, stress, and difficulty, and they can help us find a sense of peace we might be hard-pressed to find otherwise in our bustling world.
The mantras used within Kirtan are often names of the Divine which invite the all-attractive, living, healing, and protective qualities of the Divine into our lives and hearts. In a way, Kirtan becomes like our own personal magic shield against negativity!
Although this tradition of Kirtan has its roots in India, Kirtan can be done anywhere, at any time, by any number of people, regardless of their background or qualifications.
Those who have chanted in Kirtan often say they feel lighter and better than they felt all day before chanting. We hope that your experience will follow theirs and you will feel some of the Kirtan magic. The best way to know is to try it out.
We wish you happy chanting!
Our Facilitators
Prahlad Griffith
Executive Director, Mridanga and Harmonium Instructor
Based in Alachua, Florida, he acts as the administrator of Kirtan Studios, taking care of the technical aspects of its operation, as well as teaching students on all levels.
Beginner - Advanced Level Teachers
Sri Gaura
Ladli
Beginner - Intermediate Teachers
Govinda Kishore Das
Madhavi Lata Dasi
Order our Mridanga book for a FREE CLASS
$20 - $30 per 1-on-1 class.
The 1-on-1 Class Duration is 30 min.
Prices vary by teacher. Longer classes are available upon request.
Only $15 - $20 per student in group classes.
Videos and eMaterials included.
– Introduction to Mridanga Text Book
(Link to purchase the book will be provided when you sign up for lessons)
– Intermediate & Advanced Mridanga Booklets
– Harmonium Text Book
– Kartal Sheet Music
– Video Tutorials
Testimonials
Students in Action
For more videos, check out our Youtube channel:
Book your online class now!
