Five-piece kirtan chanting and instrumental ensemble at Dayaalu Center (WU-273)

In this 12-minute podcast, learn what's special and spiritually uplifting about the increasingly popular musical form from India called kirtan chanting.

Also, hear about the remarkable upcoming musical performance at 7pm on Sunday June 12th at the Dayaalu Center in Winslow, when the husband and wife kirtan chanters called "Shantala" will be joined by three top instrumentalists.

Benjy and Heather Wertheimer have been leading kirtan (sacred chanting) worldwide since 2001 as the duo "Shantala". As is said on the Dayaalu Center website: "They are known for their special gift of bringing the audience into a vast and loving experience through their unique blend of exquisite voices with instruments of India and the West. Together they create music with beauty, passion, and reverence."

BCB's interview guests include Tyler Ryan, the production and creative director for Shantala, and Jeny Vidal, a program director at Dayaalu Center, who describes the remarkably varied activities and services that are available at the Center.

Tyler describes each of the five musicians who will perform on June 12th. For example, in addition to the Shantala duo, Steve Gorn is a Grammy Award winning Indian classical music performer on the bansuri. Bibi McGill is a powerful guitarist who also serves as musical director on tour with Beyoncé. And Sean Frenette is an instrumentalist who has performed three times at Carnegie Hall.

Kirtan chanting is typically a call and response participation, but you are welcome to come and enjoy and listen, whether or not you choose to participate in the chants.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.