General Questions

What is kirtan?

Kirtan is a simple and meditative traditional sadhana (spiritual practice.) The practice itself involves repetitive call and response singing between a leader and a group, where what is being  sung back and forth is mantra, sacred names, or names of God. Kirtan is said to awaken bhakti, a kind of reverential and loving devotion within the heart. In India, kirtan is given great importance as a sadhana that is suitable and accessible to all, particularly in this modern age, and this devotional singing can be heard and experienced in a myriad of forms and places. Kirtans with Krishna Das require no previous experience.  All are welcome.  KD is usually accompanied by a few expert musicians, and his kirtans generally last approximately two to three hours. Watch this video: Krishna Das – Chanting in the Early Days.

What is a workshop?

Krishna Das workshops are intimate forums providing the opportunity to dive deeper into the path through satsang (spiritual association.)  KD’s workshops typically last three to four hours and include a relatively minimal amount of chanting. KD often uses these forums to discuss the practice of kirtan, to share stories of Maharajji, to share life lessons, and to discuss the importance of integrating spiritual practices into our daily lives.  Some workshops are done in collaboration with like-minded teachers. There is generally plenty of time for questions and answers. Watch this video: Why join a workshop?

What is the difference between a workshop and a kirtan?

Workshops are approximately 3-4 hours of call-and-response chanting, talks about the spiritual path, and a forum for questions and answers. Some workshops are done in collaboration with like-minded teachers. They are like mini retreats. While there is chanting, most of the time is spent in question and answer discussions. You can participate or simply listen in.

Kirtans are approximately 2 1/2 hours of chanting or devotional singing. Chanting is primarily call-and-response. In this type of singing, Krishna Das will sing a line and the audience will sing it back. No prior experience is required! These sessions are primarily chanting with short talks and stories from KD. There are no Q&A sessions at kirtan events.

What is a retreat?

Retreats with Krishna Das are rare opportunities to deeply immerse ourselves in sadhana (spiritual practice) and spiritual company for longer periods of time. KD’s retreats usually last between two and seven days, and generally feature evening kirtans with KD and his band, daily workshops including question and answer sessions, Hanuman Chalisa practice, and often include sessions or collaborations with like-minded hatha yoga instructors or meditation teachers.  Retreats are offered at an assortment of locations at varying times throughout the year. Watch this video: Krishna Das Talks About Chanting as a Practice and on Retreat

What does 'call and response' mean?

Call and response a style of singing in which a melody sung by one singer (usually the leader)  is responded to or echoed by the audience.

Will I be asked to 'join' anything?

No, there is nothing to join. You are free to come and listen to the singing or you can join in if you like. You are free to come and go as you please during our events.

Do you have any free material?

Yes! We have a FREE GIFTS section in our online shop. We add new material here throughout the year. The HEARTSPACE section is also a good place to access free sound clips, KD quotes to share, photos and more. We also add new videos weekly, on our official YOUTUBE channel. Enjoy!

How can I license Krishna Das music for my project?

It’s very important that formal permission be obtained from Krishna Das’ office. Certain fees are applicable. Please send an email to nina@krishnadas.com stating the name and nature of your project with the exact title of the track and album that you want to use.

How can I support the work that Krishna Das does?

The Kirtan Wallah Foundation is a non profit 501C3 set up by Krishna Das. The mission of this foundation is to preserve the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba. More information is available HERE. You can make a tax deductible donation HERE

Event Questions

Are tickets refundable?

Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. If you are unable to attend an event, you are welcome to give your ticket to a friend.

What type of seating is provided?

Seating is General Admission, unless otherwise noted. It is always best to check the details of each event on our Events page for complete details. We often do mostly floor seating, with limited chair seating. Please bring a cushion to sit on for your comfort.

Are children allowed?

For kirtan:

We ask that if you bring small children, that you sit toward toward the back of the room to allow them space to move around and talk if they have to. no ticket necessary for the child under 7.

For workshops:

Workshops are not open to children twelve and under due to the quiet atmosphere and the subjects of discussion during the workshop.

Do children need a ticket?

Unless otherwise noted, for General Admission venues children under seven are admitted free with adult(s). No ticket necessary for the child.

How do I get notified about Krishna Das events?

We update the EVENTS section of our website frequently. So you can always check the listings there. The best way to be notified is to sign up for our e-news letter. We send letters out approximately once a week with information about any new events that have been scheduled. Click HERE to submit your email address in the sign up field.

How do I book Krishna Das for an event?

Please email Nina Rao, Krishna Das’ assistant for information about booking KD. She can be reached at Nina@KrishnaDas.com