I have been involved with and playing kirtan and other Indian music for over 40 years. I always had an interest in anything Indian or Eastern ever since I was a child. I had some musical background starting in elementary school when I started with the saxophone and later flute. I later took basic piano as well.

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When I was 17 years old, I found the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, like many others, by reading his book “Autobiography of a Yogi”.  I immediately began attending Self-Realization Fellowship, (the organization Yogananda founded), services at the beautiful SRF Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, CA.

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One of the features of some of the meditations and services offered was kirtan, (devotional chanting). I knew at once I wanted to participate.  I began by playing the cymbals and kartal.  Soon the tabla player moved away, and I asked to play.  I had no idea what I was doing but after listening to Indian music intensely I “knew” what the tablas were supposed to sound like.  I did my best to make that happen.

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Soon after I started to play, I received a message from Sri Daya Mata then the President of SRF that she wanted the tablas played correctly in the northern Indian classical style and she wanted me to set the example.  She said I was to contact a certain monk at the SRF headquarters, and he would give me the name of a qualified tabla teacher.  I did not hesitate!!   For the next eight years I studied with Hari Har Rao in Pasadena, CA whose teacher was Ustad Alla Rakha the legendary tabla player for Ravi Shankar and the father of Zakir Hussain who is probably the most masterful tabla player alive today.

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I have been playing tablas for kirtan, classical Indian music, Persian music and western fusion music ever since.  Interestingly, I have also taught beginner talbas to various students near almost all of the SRF temples, so Daya Mata’s wishes were to some extent carried out.

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I am so pleased to begin this journey of sharing kirtan and the love and expansion of consciousness that chanting can bring with this group: KESHAVA!