... in the middle of a bhajan workshop with Gustav and Sabeena... learning... playing my favourite bhajan “Krishna Mukunda” on Swamis Samadhi Day... with mistakes as student here and there, but happy.

Krishna Mukunda (Workshop 2014 Version)

This practice session was recorded 21st of March 2015 during our first Akhanda Bhajan night in Wasserburg, Germany. Tanja Gebbia and Geetha joined me in the lead. Thanks to both and all who joined and sang along. Was a beautiful event. Looking forward for the next :-)

Om Nama Shivaya (Wasserburg 2015 Version)

I first heard this back in Penukonda, which is a little village in South India. It was somewhere around 2009. I was walking into the Mandir (spiritual center). Meanwhile an old friend, Gustav Vigneshwara was sitting inside, writing notes, recording melodies. He played on his guitar. 

At the moment I walked in with a group of students he started singing "Om Nama Shivaya". It was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. From that moment I kinda got hooked on the melody. I kept singing it here and there. 

One of the other tracks is closer to Gustav's original. This one is my interpretation. Not even sure if this counts as a Bhajan, as it's more like playing around with that melody, remembering that moment, connecting to that silent joy. A song for Shiva.

Shiva Om (Navaratri 2016 Version)

During Navaratri 2013 I wanted to sing to Kali. I was at home, playing with my guitar, singing Kali Kali Mahakali, the version from Shiva Sai Mandir Music. I love it. It’s powerful and majestic. During singing I realised I want to express myself to her in a more quiet and softer way, so I played with these old indian traditional lyrics and finally came up with this version. 

The photo I took in January 2012 observing an abishek (devotional washing) to the Mahishasura Mardini statue in Penukonda, India. When the water started pouring over her, I had a specific frame in mind. I wanted a picture from her face, where you could hardly recognise the face from all the water around her.

I tried from all different angles. I looked through the results in-between, but didn’t find that certain look I wanted. Back at the computer I looked through again and stumbled across this one. Left a big smile on my face.

Lyrics:

“Kali Kali Mahakali
Kalike Papa Harini
Dharmata Mokshade Devi
Narayani Namostute 
Kalike Jaya Jaya Ma
Narayani Namostute"

They translate as: 

Kali, great Kali (Mahakali), destroyer (Harini) of our bad karma (Papa), within you is self-knowledge (Dharmata). Goddess (Devi), you grant us liberation (Mokshade). I hail and greet you (Namostute), Narayani, all beings live in you. All glory and praise (Jai) to our great and strong Mother!

Maik Winter

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