2021 Playback -what an amazing year

eclectic, jazzy, funk, hip hop, spoken word poetry. recorded for the Velveteen Cookies project, an anthology of recorded poetry by women.

Algebra (feat. Mo)

The Kirtaniyas: Govinda Jai Jai Live- Rasika dasi

This was Aindra Prabhu's last kirtan recorded on July 16, 2010 at Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan, India.

The Last Kirtan of Aindra Prabhu

This is the first CD in our Bhajan series; a small collection of Kirtans composed by our Vaisnava Saints rendered in very sweet and beautiful melodies. 
The Kirtaniyas offer this devotional CD at the lotus feet of their beloved Gurudeva - Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja and for the pleasure of all. 
Just one week after the divine departure of our Srila Gurudeva, this album was recorded in a very simple enviroment in Sri Vrindavan, India by The Kirtaniyas: Vijay Krsna das, Sarasvati dasi, Rasika dasi and engineered and mixed by Kishori Mohan Das. We are also very honored to feature Kishori Mohan Das and Sudevi dasi (vocals, mridanga, Karatalas) on the album, we look up to them as our older brother and sister

Ohe Vaisnava Thakura - (Bhajan series 1)

Uthi Uthi Gopala - Lokanath Swami

By Shrīmad Shrīnivas Āchārya

Perpetually immersed in singing, dancing, and heartfelt singing, Kīrtan [of the name, form, qualities, pastimes, associates, and realm] of Shrī Krishna, the six Goswāmīs embody the ocean of nectarean love. Dear to both gentlemen and ruffians, always engaged in pleasing activities, and completely free from envy, they are adored by all. They are the recipients of Shrī Chaitanya’s mercy, and they therefore remove the burden of the earth. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Shrī Sanātana, Shrī Raghunātha Bhatta, Shrī Raghunātha dāsa, Shrī Jīva, and Shrī Gopāla Bhatta [the six Goswāmīs].
 
They are distinctively expert in ascertaining the essence of all revealed scriptures, and they establish the supreme occupation of the soul, devotion to God. They are the true benefactors of the people, worshipful for the three worlds, and affectionate to those who have taken shelter of them. Due to the bliss of divine service, bhajana, on the lotus feet of Shrī Rādhā-Krishna, they have become like intoxicated honeybees. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs. 

They fully abandoned at once the association of kingly aristocracy, deeming it insignificant, and out of compassion became poor, accepting only loincloths and ragged quilts. Thereafter, they repeatedly immersed themselves in the delightful, billowing waves in the nectarean ocean of rasa—the bhāvs, spiritual emotions, felt by the gopīs. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Crowded with sweetly cooing cuckoos, swans, and cranes, as well as groups of peacocks, Vrindāvan a is shining beautifully with trees that have many transcendental gems inlaid beneath their roots. There, day and night, the Goswāmīs intensely worship Shrī Shrī Rādhā and Krishna, thus endowing all the souls with the ultimate benefit of life. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

They would pass their time by daily chanting a fixed number of holy names, singing particular songs, and offering regulated obeisances [prostrating themselves to the ground like a stick in reverence thousands of times in a day to all the Saints, Deities, and Lord’s pastime places]. Thus they fully conquered the urges of eating, sleeping, recreation, and so forth. Always considering themselves to be unlimitedly lowly and insignificant, they became enchanted in sweet rapture by remembering Shrī Rādhā-Krishna’s qualities. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Wandering along the banks of Rādhā-kunda or the Yamuna, and sometimes at Vamshivata, they would be forever seized by limitless transcendental states, intoxicated by the utter madness of prema. Blissfully overwhelmed, they would jubilantly sing about the exalted qualities of Shrī Hari. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs..

“O Rādhā, queen of Vrindāvan a! O Lalitā! O son of Nanda Mahārāj! Where are You? Are You beneath the wish-fullfilling trees of Shrī Govardhana Hill? Or are you in the forests on the banks of the Kalindi river?” Thus calling out, greatly overwhelmed in separation, they would wander throughout the length and breadth of Vraja-mandala. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Six Goswamis Ashtakam - Eight Prayers to the Six Goswami Saints

Raga Vardhana das - Pancha Tattva Maha-mantra

Raga Vardhana das - Sri guru

Yamuna Devi Dasi - Responsive Govindam Prayers + Ecstatic Kirtan - Chowpatty - 2006

The Sweetheart Of The Gopis - "Vande Krishna Nanda Kumara" is performed by Jahnavi Harrison.
The song lyrics and English translation follow....

VANDE KRISHNA NANDA KUMARA:
Traditional Bengali bhajan:

(1)

vande kṛṣṇa nanda kumāra
nanda kumāra madana gopāla
madana gopāla mohana rūpa
mohana rūpa nanda kumāra

(2)

govinda hari gopāla hari
govinda hari gopāla hari
jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari
jaya jaya deva hari

(3)

jaya prabhu dīna doyāla hari
govinda hari gopāla hari
govinda hari gopāla hari

(4)

jaya rāma hari jaya kṛṣṇa hari
jaya jaya śacī nandana gaura hari

1) I worship Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja (Nanda Kumara)! Nanda Kumara! Enchanter protector of cows, Madana Gopala! Madana Gopala! The One with the Enchanting Form (Mohana Rupa)! Mohana Rupa! Nanda Kumara!

2) Govinda Hari! Gopala Hari! All glories to the defeater of the demigods, Hari!

3) All glories to the Lord who is merciful to the fallen souls! Govinda Hari! Gopala Hari!

4) All glories to the Reservoir of Pleasure (Rama)! Hari! All glories to the All Attractive One (Krsna)! Hari! All glories to the son of Sacidevi, Gaura Hari!

Mantra Lounge ~ The Sweetheart Of The Gopis ~ Vande Krishna ~ Jahnavi Harrison:

Sacinandana Swami - Vande Krisna

Sacinandana Swami - Hare Krishna Kirtan IV

RKC Live Stream - Svarupa Damodar das - Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna

This beautiful recording of the traditional bhajan Shri Vraja Dhama Mahimamrita was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) in Florence, Italy in his painting studio. 

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more...

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020. 

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life. 

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: https://vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Jaya Radhe, Jaya Krishna (Shri Vraja Dhama Mahimamrita) -  Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the traditional Bengali bhajan written by Bhaktivinoda Thakur was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) in Florence, Italy in his painting studio. 

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more...

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020. 

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance. 

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: https://vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Gopinath Mama Nivedana Suno - Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the traditional bhajan Bhaja Hure Mana was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) at his painting studio in Florence, Italy.

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more, and recorded it himself layer by layer on a simple 8-track recorder.

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020.

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Gopinath

Bhaja Hure Mana - Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the traditional bhajan Jaya Radha Madhava was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) at his painting studio in Florence, Italy.

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more, and recorded it himself layer by layer on a simple 8-track recorder.

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020.

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Jaya Radha Madhava - Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the traditional bhajan Parama Karuna was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) at his painting studio in Florence, Italy.

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more, and recorded it himself layer by layer on a simple 8-track recorder.

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020.

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Parama Karuna - Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the traditional bhajan Nitai Pada Kamala was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) at his painting studio in Florence, Italy.

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more, and recorded it himself layer by layer on a simple 8-track recorder.

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020.

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

Nitai Pada Kamala - Ramdas Abhirama Das

This beautiful recording of the Maha Mantra was recorded by Ramdas Abhiram Das (Kevin Yee) at his painting studio in Florence, Italy.

He sang and played all the instruments on this piece - flute, santoor, sarod, tabla and more, and recorded it himself layer by layer on a simple 8-track recorder.

This beautiful recording has never been publically released, but is uploaded with a desire to share the lesser known, but no less sublime, creative work of this lifelong devotional artist, who passed away in July 2020.

I feel extremely indebted to Ramdas and his wife Dhrti, for their many decades of artistic service. Their paintings have offered inspiration and spiritual connection to countless people all over the world, and as teachers, they have gifted their students with instructions to be treasured for life.

I was grateful to study with them for a month in India in 2007. Though many years ago, the experience is one I have returned to time and time again for fresh inspiration and guidance.

More on Ramdas:
Born in 1951 in Maui, Hawaii, as Kevin Albert Yee, Ramdas Abhiram Das, graduated with a degree in Fine Art from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career by doing illustration work, first for an international publishing company and later for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT). In 1980 he relocated to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Academia de Siena and the Academia de Arte Firenze and learnt the art and techniques of fresco and egg tempera. He was the Art Director for the Italian BBT for six years. Though trained initially in classical art and illustration, over the years he has developed his own style, marked for its spontaneity and mystique. Narratives set amidst nature, he has painted more than 300 oil paintings and his work has been exhibited in Italy, France, Belgium, England, South Africa, and India.

Teaching in India: vimeo.com/58238789

To view more of the artistic work of Ramdas and Dhrti: www.sosacredart.com

2021 Playback -what an amazing year

Bonga