Artist Interviews
Jahnavi Harrison
nik92023-06-09T14:56:12+00:00June 9th, 2023|
An intimate dialogue between Sridhar (founder of Baktifest) and kirtaneer Jahnavi Harrison
Jahnavi Harrison was raised in a family of Bhakti-yoga practitioners at Bhaktivedanta Manor, one of England’s most important spiritual landmarks. As a child she was fascinated with song and story, and has nurtured that interest through her life long exploration of music, dance, visual art and the written word. She is a musician who aims to channel her creative expression as a path to self-realisation and service. For over 12 years she has travelled the world, offering her voice and violin playing in the performance of sacred music and call-and-response mantra chant (kirtan). Her sound encompasses rich influences of East and West, and aims to offer an experience which truly nourishes the spirit.
Based in both London and New York, she offers regular concerts, sound baths and workshops.
She released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and features on the Grammy nominated ‘Bhakti Without Borders’ charity album (2016).
Jahnavi presents regularly for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and ‘Something Understood’ on BBC Radio 4.
Jahnavi Harrison website: https://jahnavimusic.com
David Shapiro
nik92023-06-09T14:56:26+00:00June 8th, 2023|
Intimate discussion with Sridhar, founder of Bhaktifest and David Shapiro covering a range of fascinating stories from George Harrison of The Beatles, to Srila Prabhupad and the authentic translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Jahnavi Harrison was raised in a family of Bhakti-yoga practitioners at Bhaktivedanta Manor, one of England’s most important spiritual landmarks. As a child she was fascinated with song and story, and has nurtured that interest through her life long exploration of music, dance, visual art and the written word. She is a musician who aims to channel her creative expression as a path to self-realisation and service. For over 12 years she has travelled the world, offering her voice and violin playing in the performance of sacred music and call-and-response mantra chant (kirtan). Her sound encompasses rich influences of East and West, and aims to offer an experience which truly nourishes the spirit.
Based in both London and New York, she offers regular concerts, sound baths and workshops.
She released her debut album, ‘Like a River to the Sea’ in July 2015, and features on the Grammy nominated ‘Bhakti Without Borders’ charity album (2016).
Jahnavi presents regularly for BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and ‘Something Understood’ on BBC Radio 4.
Jahnavi Harrison website: https://jahnavimusic.com
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji
nik92023-06-09T14:56:42+00:00June 7th, 2023|
An intimate conversation between Sridhar, founder of Bhaktifest and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, spiritual leader and author.
Sadhviji is a renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker, based in Rishikesh, India. She’s the author of newly released #1 bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Originally from Los Angeles, a graduate of Stanford University, and a PhD in psychology, Sadhviji has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, in the lap of the Himalayas for more than 25 years engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice.
Sadhvi’s website: sadhviji.org/about/
Govind Das
nik92023-06-09T14:57:07+00:00June 6th, 2023|
An Intimate conversation with Sridhar, founder of Bhaktifest and Govind Das
Govind Das (Ira Jeffrey Rosen) took his first meditation class in September 1993 at University of Maryland, which first awakened his love for the spiritual teachings of the East. While living in Los Angeles in 1994, due to health concerns (ulcerative colitis) he began to look for alternative ways of healing. After years of different practices (vinyasa yoga, ayurveda, buddhist meditation etc), Ira Rosen found his yogic “home” in the path of Bhakti Yoga: the “yoga of the heart” or “the yoga of love and devotion”. It is in this tradition of “Bhakti/Devotion” where Ira was given his spiritual name, Govind Das, which means “servant of the Divine”. This path of service is at the root of his spiritual life – to serve the love and spirit that lives in the heart of all. His journey has led him to India on 9 different occasions to immerse himself in the ways of the bhakti tradition at the Ashram of his “Guru” or main spiritual teacher – Neem Karoli Baba, as well as spending time in holy yogic places like Vrindavan, Varanasi, Rishikesh and many more. Through his journeys to the “motherland of yoga”, India, Govind Das has enjoyed the company of many yogic saints, sadhus, and teachers. It is from these transmissions that Govind Das shares the authenticity of the Bhakti and Yogic path. He would like to place a flower of gratitude at the feet of his yoga teachers and guides here in California – Bryan Kest, Saul David Raye, Shiva Rea, and Mark Whitwell, and bow to his Bhakti and Kirtan teachers Ram Dass, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, Krishna Das, Shyam Das, Raghu Markus and many, many more.
His yoga classes are an innovative approach weaving fresh and fluid Vinyasa yoga sequences & Yin and Restorative Lunar styles of yoga, all with the teachings of Bhakti and dharma. The emphasis is on yoga as spiritual ritual of devotion. And always a mixed with a deep dose of mantra, dharmic quotes, affirmation, sweat, dance, joy and laughter. As a healing artform, Govind Das intends to create an environment where the yogi/yogini can find a nurturing, nourishing, and balancing experience of breath, energy, and movement/circulation. As a bhakti art form he encourages yoga in the spirit of celebrating life, body as sacred temple and cultivating an intimate and loving relationship with the Sacred.
Govind Das’s uplifting and inspirational message encourages the process of spiritual awakening and the conscious affirmation that life is a great gift to be treated with great respect. Says Govind Das, “Now is the time burst out of limiting and fear-based social/family/cultural and environmental conditionings and live a fully empowered and creative life centered on love and truth.”
Govind Das and his wife Radha live in the hills of Pacific Palisades, CA overlooking the Great Pacific Ocean with their son Malakai and daughter Ruby Jaya.
Govind Das Website: www.bhaktiyogashala.com/
MC Yogi
nik92023-06-09T14:57:19+00:00June 5th, 2023|
This week we were joined by another long-time Bhakti family member and friend, MC Yogi.
Recording artist, author, and yoga teacher, MC Yogi’s unique style of music and teaching is joy filled and up lifting. He tells the story of his early years as a juvenile delinquent living at a group home for at risk boys, to discovering yoga and launching a career which would eventually lead to sharing yoga and music on the world stage, including the Forbidden City in China and the White House.
Settle in to your favorite comfy chair, or condense your drive time by listening to this exclusive discussion, diving into intimate reflections of spiritual journey with our very own MC
Shiva Rea
nik92023-05-13T00:19:35+00:00September 2nd, 2022|
This week we were joined by long-time Bhakti family member and dear friend, Shiva Rea, on our new series of Bhakti Speaks interviews.
Shiva Rea will be headlining our upcoming November Retreat along with Vijay Krsna from Kirtaniyas, Michael Brian Baker, and Allison Eaton. Settle in to your favorite comfy chair, or on your drive to work to listen to this exclusive discussion diving into spirituality, navigating your own personal healing journey, the amazing juicy classes she will be offering at the retreat, and more.