Kirtan group freely offers music

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The call-and-response singing style of kirtan has a history that reaches back thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, says Natavar Knudsen, who helps to lead a local kirtan group.

It usually involves the repetition of a name or phrase, traditionally from the Sanskrit language.

“It’s a form of praise,” Knudsen said.

The group he’s a part of meets twice a month in Port Townsend to sing their hearts out.

“For me personally, it’s my favorite way to sing. With the repetition you’re not having to think about the phrasing or the meaning. You just sing,” Knudsen said.

His first exposure to kirtan was from a Ram Dass cassette tape in 1974. After that experience, he spent 14 years at Kripalu, which was an ashram at the time located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts where he chanted at least once every day. Kripalu still stands and today is a yoga center and leader in yoga- and mindfulness-based education.

After moving to Port Townsend in 2010, Knudsen not only worked to find like-minded folks to sing with, but began compiling a songbook for the group to use.

“I have a collection of over 600 right now,” he said of the “Shanti Salish Kirtan Chantbook,” which is posted for free online.

“I come from a tradition where taking money for kirtan is frowned upon, so despite the hundreds of hours that have gone into creating this, even contemplating setting a price for this collection, was challenging until I came across the concept of the gifting economy,” Knudsen writes in the intro to the book.

“My job is to not have any expectations as to what comes next,” Knudsen said.

During the lockdowns, the group tried going virtual, but the call and response format was difficult via Zoom. Now that they get together again in person, Knudsen brings his harmonium, a keyboard instrument similar to an organ, while another member brings a guitar, and there are multiple drummers that come and go.

The next kirtan will take place at the Unity Center of Port Townsend at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12.

Two experienced kirtan leaders will be visiting from their home in Goa, India and will bring their skills on the tabla (a pair of small, twin drums) and keyboard.

The usual group will meet again from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at Unity.

For more information, contact shantisalish@gmail.com.