Ozarks Retreat & Prabhat Samgiita Seminar

I have had a most blissful month, starting with a trip to Missourri for our summer retreat at the Ananda Kanan Ozark Retreat Center. Jyotsna La Trobe, a singer/songwriter from New Zealand, lead a group of us in a kiirtan choir. She had just returned from a 6 month stint in India where she studied the kiirtans of Rarh. She came back with a 70 minute long performance piece from which we performed a few songs live with a circle dance; and recorded one late night. We sang non-stop, day and night for all presentations, cultural programs, and for evening kiirtans.

Last week, I flew to Vermont to co-teach at the 23rd Annual Prabhat Samgiita Seminar with Jyotsna. Here is a synapsus of the event:

We gave a two day Prabhat Samgiita workshop in Vermont where 40 people attended. The retreat was held in the pristine, woodland home of Ciiranjiiva and Parashakti. Margiis came from all over the sector.

Kumar Das added a rich and rhythmic tal with his tabla. Jagat Bandhu and Dada Gopalkrisnananda added the beauty of harmonium to the melodius songs. We gave a varied presentation of Prabhat Samgiita from deep, reflective songs, to lively Prabhat Samgiita kiirtans. The workshop was given outdoors, under a porch canopy, while rain fell all around. Several Margiis told reflective stories about Baba in the rain; and Prabhat Samgiita. Delicious meals were lovingly prepared by Ciiranjiiva. All had a splendid and blissful time.

Saturday evening, the Margiis hosted a 3 hour, public akhanda kiirtan at a local yoga center. Over 60 people attended and enjoyed the celestial vibrations.

Jyotsna, myself, Jagat Bandhu and Rainjan finished up the last pieces to a production of mesmerizing Rarh kiirtans, Red Earth Fusion, that were recently recorded at the Ananda Kanan summer retreat.