Welcome to my journey on the path of Mantra Music

My favourite form of musical expression is kirtan which is a mantra-meditation and a musical prayer in one. It is a ‘call and response’ connection with the Supreme Lord through sound.

I love singing kirtan with a group of friends without any agenda or count of time. Sometimes we can go for hours, and even days and it is a truly life changing experience.

I worked with Radha Krishna Records on a very special album called Inevitable Time, which was released in May 2015. It is based on the Mahabharata, the ancient epic of India.

Each song of the album is an evocative musical vignette depicting selected moments from the story and sung in the original Sanskrit language. The style of music is very emotional and although it illustrates the fabled history of the mystic heroes five thousand years back, the themes and and feelings are timeless.

To keep you updated I will be posting here about some upcoming events and uploading video clips and photos. I’ll also be sharing some worthwhile news about the projects I am inspired by and the talented people I respect and admire.

Mantra Lounge Vol 2 live

These beautiful Lordships are giving me a chance to serve Them again with my little musical contribution. I will be singing with my dear friends to present the new Mantra Lounge Vol 2 album live at the 48th Anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara in London. It should be a very sweet event, please support it and book your tickets now (and get your copy of the CD with a 50% discount)!

 

ATMA comes to Moscow

Our incredible Atma show by Samadhi Dance Company (The Netherlands) is coming to Russia!

Atma is a contemorary dance and musical extravaganza based on the world famous epic Mahabharata and with the music from the ‘Inevitable Time‘ album, so I am really excited and grateful for the opportunity to finally share it with my homeland!

The team and artists are working hard to make this beautiful show a success, so if you are in Moscow on the 29th of November do not miss this event, it will be definitely worth it! More information and tickets on the website http://takemetosamadhi.ru/

 

Mantra Lounge Vol 2 album

An intensely sweet follow up to Mantra Lounge Vol, 1 which brings the best of the live experience to the studio for songs and mantras that you can listen to over and over again.

This is a beautiful collection of mantras recorded with live instruments by Radha Krishna Records and my dear friends. I recorded one track for it called Dawn of Freedom – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Here’s a free track f

You can purchase the CD here

Or download the tracks from your favourite media channel:

iTunes

Amazon

Google Play

Here’s a free track for you to listen and enjoy.

 

 

 

New single and music video

Dawn of Freedom – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

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This single is released by Radha Krishna Records as part of Mantra Lounge, Vol. 2.

The verse is translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Srimad Bhagavatam as:

“O my Lord, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.”

The mantra is often used as an invocation and chanting this mantra regularly is considered of great eternal benefit.

Purchase now on all digital channels including:

iTunes CDBaby Amazon Google Play

CREDITS

Lead Vocals – Ananda Monet

Piano – Jagat Pita

Acoustic Guitar – Hugh Burns

Cello – Asha McCarthy

Producer & Mix Engineer – Jag

Music video: Raj Hirani at Filmwork Studio

‘If you simply hear…’

“In whatever condition you are, that doesn’t matter. ‘Oh, I am a very poor man.’ That doesn’t matter. ‘Oh, I am a very rich man.’ That doesn’t matter. ‘Oh, I am European.’ It doesn’t matter. ‘I am Indian.’ Doesn’t matter. ‘I am born very low.’ Oh, doesn’t matter. Anything, unconditional. You remain whatever you are; that doesn’t matter. If you simply hear, sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatām, if you simply give your aural reception to these transcendental words, the result will be that God, who can never be conquered, you’ll conquer God. How you conquer? You will conquer by love. God cannot be conquered, but He can be conquered by love.” 

(Srilal Prabhupada; Bhagavad-gita lecture, N.Y., Oct. ’66)

“If you come with an open mind you will leave with an overflowing heart.”

Krishna West London website has posted a kind article about my journey and the album – Ananda Monet – “Inevitable Time”. Thank you Yadavi devi dasi!

“The music rises from gentle valleys to bombastic peaks but always stirs the emotions…”

Madhava Smullen is telling the full story of the upcoming album in this great article ISKCON News: Epic Inevitable Time Album Inspired By Mahabharata.

The epic arrival

I would never have thought that I would remember St George’s Day but what an amazing day this was! The Inevitable Time CD’s are finally printed and arrived yesterday in full glory! We were overjoyed and speechless to finally hold them in our hands. We offered them to Their Lordships and Srila Prabhupada and had a first listen in the sunshine. It is such a relief and I am so grateful to everyone who supported and guided us on this journey, it was worth every bit of the way. We will announce the release date shortly – so watch this space.

 

A Contemporary Krishna Culture Showcase

​Experience distinctive and inspirational songs of devotion (bhakti) that express beautiful eternal truths through transcendent mantras and movement in this very unique music and dance showcase. Hosted at the Camden Centre, the evening takes place over two acts: 

“INEVITABLE TIME” by Ananda Monet

An enthralling dynamic journey into the epic Mahabharata. The dramatic story and timeless philosophical message is brought to life through powerful songs and expressive choreography by multi-award winning SAMADHI Dance Company from Amsterdam.

‘LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA’ by Jahnavi Harrison

A unforgettable experience of call and response kirtan, storytelling and sacred song. The live performance explores visuals and poetry from saints of the bhakti yoga tradition to discover how sacred sound can be truly empowering.

Light refreshments served in the intermission.

Date: Thursday, 28th of May
Doors open at 18:30
Show begins at 19:00
Venue: Camden Centre, entrance from Bidborough Street

A sweet recommendation from the Bhakti Beat

Voting is in

VOTE NOW for the next track from the upcoming album ‘Inevitable Time’.

Did you get a chance to listen to the first song about Bhishma on our campaign page? Tell us in the comments below which other one of these 3 songs you would like to preview before the album release, and we will post the winning track shortly:

1. “Draupadi – Born of Fire”
2. Queen Kunti’s “Tears of Destiny”
3. “Universal Form”

Don’t forget to check out our campaign page and share it with your friends to support release of this epic album:

My heart smiled last Saturday

On Valentine’s day we had a blissful 6 Hour Kirtan in Bridewell Hall on Fleet street. A host of kirtaniyas sang their hearts out together with about 150 guests. The day was full of love and smiles.

Here are some photos of that beautiful day

Inevitable Time is ready for the world!

Immerse yourself in an enthralling journey five thousand years back, to a time of mystic heroes, to the ancient epic Mahabharata. Experience the fabled history, which culminates in a colossal eighteen-day war, raged between family, friends, gurus and disciples for the sake of righteousness and the throne. Feel a mother’s heartache, find the freedom in surrender of a warrior princess, hear absolute wisdom from the Supreme Lord, enter the blood swept planes of the Kurukshetra battlefield, become awestruck at the Universal Form and pay your respects to a fallen warrior breathing his last.

You might have heard of my collaboration with Radha Krishna-Records on creating an epic Mahabharata-themed album, called ‘Inevitable Time’. I have had so much encouragement from all my friends and loved ones during this work and now the music is completed and the artwork is done too! Please have a listen to the song and see for yourself if you’d like to become an integral part of this project by helping us release it into the world. Visit our campaign to pre-order a copy of the CD and posters of the original artwork at Indiegogo.

Inevitable Time trailer is ready

This introduction trailer for my new album Inevitable Time was made by a wonderful VFX & motion graphics studio, called Govinda Vision, who were an absolute pleasure to work with.

Feel Your Heart Smile

A mantra is an ancient word or sound which helps align the body, mind and soul. When sung aloud as a group it’s called kirtan. It’s easy, authentic, great fun, and one of the best ways to relieve stress.

On the 14th February Kirtan London will hold a 6 Hour Kirtan, where a range of kirtan singers will take turns in leading. Join us from 1pm-7pm for another unforgettable experience and a delicious vegetarian dinner at the end.

45th Anniversary Celebration

Last Sunday we had the honor of participating in a celebration of the 45th Anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara and Iskcon London. It was an exciting and beautiful evening with an epic ending when everyone got on stage and started dancing in ecstasy.

Here are a few photos from the event.

Photo credits: David Crick, Tadas Jasaitis

A year ago

This time last year I was in Budapest for a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the Budapest History Museum. I really enjoyed doing kirtan with the local musicians and the bhakti community is very sweet and welcoming there.

Here’s the video of our joint effort

It’s a great day today!

Amazing news today! The final and long-awaited piece of artwork by Mukesh Singh for the upcoming album Inevitable Time is ready! One of the happiest days of my life, because it is absolutely incredible. Can’t wait to share the album with you all, but it won’t be today as it has to be a surprise.

Here’s a sneak peak of the artwork though it’s in black and white.

We ended the day attending a grand bonfire and amazing fireworks at a local Steiner school – a perfect celebration for this significant milestone. One step closer to releasing the album and sharing it with you.