The Art & Practice
of Kirtan

Build your devotional foundation. We all know how easy it is to lose touch with that precious jewel within — but through the practices of Bhakti, particularly the singing of mantras, we can nurture the return path home.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation
✦  Introduction to Sargam (the Indian system of notes)
✦  Introduction to Bhakti Yoga

We explore the practice of saying and singing the names of God and Goddess, and creating a sacred space within our hearts and in our homes. After this episode, you'll be ready to learn your first kirtan.

This episode includes:

✦  Create an inspiring home altar
✦  Create and nurture a daily practice of Kirtan and Japa
✦  Learn Radharani Ki Jai (harmonium, guitar, or voice alone)

Love and Longing are the two main touchstones of Bhakti — of devotion, of relationship with God, Goddess, our own souls, and our global human family. The anguish of separation and the ecstasy of full connection can be felt simultaneously in the churning waters of our hearts.

This episode includes:

✦  Explore the essence of Bhakti yoga
✦  Learn to sing the Maha Mantra (plus guitar and harmonium tutorials)

In Bhakti we experience the transformative power of expressing our feelings through songs and mantras — and are graced with the healing power of sacred sound. Discover your unique and personal path of devotion.

This episode includes:

✦  Story time with Jai — Hanuman as inspiration for the inner journey
✦  Learn to sing Sri Ram (plus guitar and harmonium tutorials)

May this journey bring us closer to our hearts and to the sacred light of Love, within and without. Now is the perfect time to spread these seeds of bhakti far and wide.

This episode includes:

✦  Explore the importance of storytelling in Bhakti
✦  Learn to sing Namah Shivaya (plus guitar and harmonium tutorials)

This episode nurtures a more regular practice of kirtan, developing both the craft and devotion of wholeheartedly singing the names. After this episode, you'll be ready to share your kirtan with others.

This episode includes:

✦  Twameva Prayer Invocation
✦  Story time — the great 14th-century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya
✦  Learn Om Namo Narayanaya (harmonium, guitar, or voice alone)

Jai shares 7 new chants created exclusively for this program — never taught before. Add them to your own well of prayer and love. The well of inspiration and devotion never runs dry.

Exclusive chants include:

✦  Jaya Jagadambe Jay Jay Ma
✦  Sweet Bengali Hare Krishna
✦  Namah Shivaya
✦  Sri Ram
✦  Om Mani Pedme Hum
✦  Jaya Hanuman
✦  Sita Ram

We begin by opening the gates of devotion through the grace of Ganesha — remover of obstacles, guardian of new beginnings. Jai shares why he sings to his Guru, then guides you into Ganesha Sharanam on banjo, harmonium, and guitar.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation and Welcome
✦  Why I Sing Invocations to my Guru
✦  Ganesha Sharanam Kirtan on Banjo
✦  Ganesha Sharanam Kirtan Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Ganesha Sharanam
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Ganesha Sharanam

Enter the realm of divine love through the luminous colors of Raag Kirwani. Jai opens with an alap and Guru Stotram singing, then teaches the sargam and full harmonium and guitar accompaniment.

This episode includes:

✦  Kirwani Alap and Guru Stotram Singing
✦  Learning Guru Stotram with Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Guru Stotram
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Guru Stotram

Bhakti Sadhana means daily devotional practice. In this episode Jai honors the great Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and introduces the Saraswati Mantra — plus a special practice with Nubia on voice and the ancient Jihva Bandha technique.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation & Saraswati Mantra
✦  Remembering Ustad Ali Akbar Khan
✦  Story of Saraswati & Sargam for Saraswati Mantra
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Saraswati Mantra
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Saraswati Mantra plus Rhythm
✦  Jai Sri Sarasvati & Jihva Bandha with Nubia

Japa — the quiet, repetitive recitation of a mantra — is one of Bhakti's most intimate practices. Jai explores Ram Japa and Om Namah Shivaya Japa, then introduces the beautiful Raag Ashavari through a Sri Ram kirtan.

This episode includes:

✦  Ram Japa Sadhana
✦  Om Namah Shivaya Japa
✦  Introduction to Ashavari
✦  Ashavari Part 2 & Sri Ram Kirtan
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Sri Ram Kirtan in Raag Ashavari

Jai takes us to the sacred city of Vrindavan and the deep waters of Raag Bhimpalasi — one of the most devotional of all the raags. The Maha Mantra sung in this raga becomes an ocean you can drink from endlessly.

This episode includes:

✦  Discovering Vrindavan
✦  Alap & Maha Mantra
✦  Deepening Our Practice — Raag Bhimplasi
✦  Maha Mantra + Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Maha Mantra in Raag Bhimpalasi
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Maha Mantra in Raag Bhimpalasi

Bhava is the feeling — the divine emotion that arises when the heart opens in devotion. Through memories of Vrindavan, the gentle Gopala Lullaby, and a Bhakti poetry offering from Nubia, this episode invites you deeper into that feeling.

This episode includes:

✦  Vrindavan Memories
✦  Bhakti and Bhava
✦  Gopala Lullaby
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Gopala Lullaby
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Gopala Lullaby
✦  Jai Radhe Shyam — Bhakti Poems with Nubia

We take shelter in the arms of the Divine Mother through Jaya Jagadambe — a cry from the heart to the universal Ma. Jai shares the story of Siddhi Ma, a beloved spiritual mother, and closes with sargam exercises in Raag Bhairavi.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation & Jaya Jagadambe
✦  Siddhi Ma, our Spiritual Mother
✦  Sargam for Jaya Jagadambe
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Jaya Jagadambe
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Jaya Jagadambe
✦  Sargam Exercises in Raag Bhairavi

The level closes in the vast, unconditional love of Neem Karoli Baba — Maharajji. Jai tells stories of Sri Siddhi Ma and Sri Ramakrishna, then pours that love into the Kali Bolo kirtan. Nubia closes with Matri Rupena, an offering to the Divine Mother in all forms.

This episode includes:

✦  Stories of Sri Siddhi Ma and Sri Ramakrishna
✦  Kali Bolo Kirtan
✦  Sargam for Kali Bolo
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Kali Bolo
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Kali Bolo
✦  Matri Rupena with Nubia

Dive into one of Bhakti's most beloved chants — Bajrangbali Hanuman. Learn the melody, sargam, and instrumental tutorials so you can bring the power of Hanuman's name fully into your practice.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation — Bajrangbali Hanuman
✦  Sargam for Bajrangbali Hanuman and Sri Ram
✦  Bajrangbali Hanuman on guitar
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Bajrangbali Hanuman
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Bajrangbali Hanuman

The Hanuman Chaleesa is one of the most powerful and widely recited prayers in all of Bhakti. Jai guides you through it verse by verse — and teaches you to play it on harmonium and guitar.

This episode includes:

✦  Hanuman Chaleesa
✦  Hanuman Chaleesa — Line by Line
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Hanuman Chaleesa
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Hanuman Chaleesa

Ram Ram Ram — the simplest, most ancient name. In this episode Jai explores the depth and power of Ram Nam, teaching you the melody, sargam notation, and full harmonium and guitar accompaniment.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation — Ram Ram Ram
✦  Ram Nam
✦  Ram Ram Ram Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Ram Ram Ram
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Ram Ram Ram

Enter the vast ocean of Shiva's grace through Om Namah Shivaya. Jai shares the ancient story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk — and teaches this timeless chant on harmonium and guitar.

This episode includes:

✦  Invocation — Om Namah Shivaya
✦  Om Namah Shivaya with Guitar
✦  Churning the Ocean of Milk
✦  Sargam for Om Namah Shivaya
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Om Namah Shivaya
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Om Namah Shivaya

Feel the full-body joy of Hara Hara Hara Mahadev — then rest in the stillness of Shiva's presence. A very special episode featuring Nubia Teixeira's Odissi dance offering of Sri Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.

This episode includes:

✦  Hara Hara Hara Mahadev / Om Namah Shivaya
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Hara Hara Hara Mahadev
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Hara Hara Hara Mahadev
✦  Odissi Dance and Prayer with Nubia — Sri Shiva Panchakshara Stotram

Radhe Radhe Bolo — call out to the Divine Feminine with sweetness and longing. Jai teaches both the melody and chords for harmonium, so you can fully inhabit this joyful, devotional chant.

This episode includes:

✦  Radhe Radhe Bolo
✦  Radhe Bolo Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Radhe Bolo Chords
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Radhe Bolo Melody
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Radhe Radhe Bolo

Twameva — "You alone are everything." This ancient Sanskrit prayer weaves together devotion and surrender. Jai teaches it inside out: melody, chords, sargam, and a closing reflection on the House of Bhakti we've been building together.

This episode includes:

✦  Twameva
✦  Twameva Sargam
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Twameva Melody
✦  Harmonium Tutorial — Twameva Chords
✦  Guitar Tutorial — Twameva
✦  House of Bhakti

The Ramayana is one of the world's great epic stories — a timeless river of Bhakti flowing through every culture it has touched. Jai brings it alive across five intimate storytelling sessions.

This episode includes:

✦  Introduction to the Ramayana
✦  Ramayana Continued (Part 2)
✦  Ramayana Continued (Part 3)
✦  Ramayana Continued (Part 4)
✦  Ramayana Continued (Part 5)

A deep-dive foundation in the theory and practice behind Indian classical music — from your first harmonium keys through the ten parent scales of North Indian music and a tabla introduction.

This bonus includes:

✦  Harmonium 101
✦  Intro to Sargam
✦  Loops, Dots and Dashes / Sargam Notation
✦  Sargam Scale — Singing and Playing
✦  The Ten Thaats of North Indian Classical Music
✦  Tabla Tutorial
✦  Ki Jai

Strengthen your voice and deepen your harmonium technique with this rich library of exercises across multiple Indian classical scales — from Bhairavi and Kafi through the rarer Todi, Purvi, and Bhairov Thaats.

This bonus includes:

✦  Indian Vocal and Harmonium Exercises (Parts 1 & 2)
✦  Vocal Exercises in Bhairavi Thaat with Jai
✦  Sargam Exercises in Kafi Thaat
✦  Sargam Exercises in Khamaj Thaat
✦  Sargam Exercises in Raag Bhairavi
✦  Sargam Exercises in Todi Thaat
✦  Sargam Exercises in Purvi Thaat
✦  Sargam Exercises in Bhairov Thaat