Vaiyasaki Das | Best of Vaiyasaki | Devotional Bhajan Kirtan Album | Bengali & Sanskrit Chants

Submitted by Calcutta Music on Sat, 04/25/2009 - 02:39.

Powerful raga melodies and Bengali and Sanskrit chants by the legendary kirtan singer Vaiyasaki Das. This CD is a compilation of Vaiyasaki's best Kirtan hits. Listen to the music samples and experience a taste of kirtan that goes deep into your soul. Vaiyasaki's voice will awaken the spiritual longings of your heart. Guaranteed to transport you to a higher realm.

Vaiyasaki's music is like a portal to the spiritual world. He opens up secret doors to the soul and gently guides listeners to the center of the heart. He does this through traditional kirtan blended with his own musical talents and personal realization. This is absolutely required listening for those who want to be transported to higher realms." --Steven J. Rosen, author and founding editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Vaiyasaki dasa Adhikari writes about his album: "I was born in London, England, where I lived in Chelsea until 5 years old. That's when my mother packed me and my sister off to Canada. We ended up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I grew up and was educated. My mother was a cultured lady so she sent her children for music lessons and ballet classes. I studied violin for 7 years until age 13, when I discovered rock 'n' roll and the blues. That's when I switched to guitar. By the time I was 14 I had already formed a band and was gigging around town. I played guitar and sang in different bands until ending up in the Vancouver scene by the end of the '60s.

In 1970 I returned to London to try and make it big in the music business. It wasn't long before I met the Krishna devotees. I was already a vegetarian and into spiritual life back in Vancouver so I felt a kinship with these Hare Krishna monks. By 1973 I had met my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and took up the process of bhakti yoga.

I received my spiritual name from Srila Prabhupada in 1975 and, on his request, journeyed overland to India, hitchhiking and taking public transportation whenever necessary. I had always been attracted to India, but I knew that it would change my life so I held off going while still pursuing a rock music career. But now, as a devotee, I was definitely ready to go. I loved India and traveled all over the subcontinent distributing the books of His Divine Grace.

In 1978 I arrived in Bangladesh. On a boat trip down the Meghna River I chanced upon a local kirtan band on its way to a festival. I decided to follow them and attend that festival. That night my life changed. I discovered the ancient Bengali art of raga kirtan and was moved like never before. Never before had I heard such singing! What to speak of the level of musicianship of the drummers and flute players.

I spent 3 years associating with different bands around Bangladesh and then returned to London with my own style of kirtan, a blend of ancient Bengali and modern contemporary music. By the grace of Lord Krishna, my music was appreciated everywhere and I have been traveling around the world since then performing in the major cities of the world. My childhood dream to become a famous musician was finally fulfilled, but not in the way I ever could have imagined.

Now I am married and live with my wife, Kaisori Devi, in St. Augustine, Florida. I hope that you like the CDs I have recorded. Each one is a little different as I am always trying to stay one step ahead of the listener."

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