Event: Kirtan Meditation with Madhava
Kirtan with Madhava
| Monday 14th of March 7pm Tickets available here. |
With a tuft of matted dread-locks erupting from his otherwise shaven head and a host of piercings and tattoos, you might expect Madhava to be a death metal muso – that is until the moment he closes his eyes, breathes deeply, and begins to sing. His sweet chanting is powerfully uplifting and meditative. Madhava doesn’t chant to entertain, but to inspire the journey inward.
This year Madhava’s visit to Byron Bay has been sponsored by Kirtan Byron. The kirtan will be held at Temple Byron at 46 Melalueca Drive. The program starts at 7pm on Monday the 14th of March. Entry is $20 at the door or $15 pre-purchase here.
About Madhava
A native of Mauritius, Madhava ne Joy Naidoo was given his first drum at the age of 5. At 18, he moved to Vrindavan, a place of pilgrimage in India where kirtan has been practiced continuously for centuries. He spent the next seven years living in an ashram, doing kirtan daily with the Krishna Balarama 24 Hour Kirtan Mandali, under the direction of legendary 24-hour kirtan leader, Aindra Dasa. While there he played the mrdanga drum for hours on end, day after day, honing his rhythmic skill and sensitivity.
Unbeknown to him, through bootleg recordings he was also becoming an influential figure in the global kirtan scene, all while sitting on the dusty floor of a small temple in a village in India. When Madhava left to return to the West, his mentor Aindra impressed on him that he had to take the kirtan back with him from Vrindavan, telling him: “Now it is you who must lead the kirtan”. Now based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively through Europe and the US with his partner Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt bhakti.
Others on Madhava
“Madhava’s kirtan is one of the most transcendent kirtan experiences I’ve ever had. He sings with so much heart and dedication that every one who is present is effortlessly transported to another universe on waves of his chanting. His melodies are rich and inviting, his voice is honest and true, and he always surrounds himself with beautiful musicians and artists – all part of his artful way of revealing a doorway to the divine world through sacred chant. Madhava is a treasure to hear and to join with in kirtan. I pray that I’ll be chanting with him for many years to come, basking in the warm glow of the names of the divine. – Gaura Vani (Bandleader of As Kindred Spirits & Creative Director of Mantralogy)
“Madhava is a powerful and inspirational devotional singer and master of mantra singing. His music and melodies bring ecstacy to our singing and dancing, bathing us in happiness as we respond to his illuminating voice. – Loren Russo (Yoga teacher, Miami FL, USA)
“Madhava’s singing touches the heart…. his chanting is always sweet and full of energy. It is a wonderful experience being in his kirtans.” – Dr. Nisha Vastani (Research Scientist, Uni Hospital- Zurich, Switzerland)
“The kirtana of Madhava has an almost magnetic influence. The mind and heart get totally attracted, then drawn into the inside world where one can meet the soul of the universe. Tune in and you will have a deeply
rewarding, spiritual experience.” – Sacinandana Swami (Inspirational speaker and spiritualist)
nice!
haribol! so happy with this site. great idea ekendra prabhu.