Kirtan Down Under – No Worries! Dancing with the Kangaroos!
I was sitting in our big white van cruising through the streets of LA, when Gaura, who was driving and eating and talking on the phone (always multitasking!), threw the question to us over his shoulder, “hey guys, how would you like going to Australia?” Need I make our unanimous answer explicit?!
When Australia sent out initial feelers to Gaura, they were thinking to bring him and maybe one more person, that’s it. Ultimately there was six of us! Due to a combination of Gaura’s love for all of us and his insistence that we come, and the Aussie organizers giving in to Gaura’s “demand”.
And so it happened, that six of us stepped out of the airport coming to Australia for the first time. It didn’t take Vish and Gaura long to figure out that now we’d done kirtan on every continent (save for Antartica).
It’s an amazing thing when total strangers met for the first time and immediately feel bonded. This was the case with the Australian crew that brought us over, took care of us, and traveled with us through the country. I didn’t feel that I was among strangers at all. Maybe our goal, or interest, in kirtan simply took over and connected us on a higher level.
Before we arrived Sitapati, the main organizer, sent us a forty-page playbook, indicating every show, every meal, basically every detail. We were quite blown away by such detailed pre-planning. The person behind such meticulous planning had to be a seasoned older gentleman. When Sitapati met us at the airport, I think everyone of us asked him a version of the question, “Who are you?” Because we simply didn’t expect the force behind such a major tour to be our age.
And this turned out to be one of the many sweet things about the Australia tour. The guys who brought us out there were not rich people dipping into large bank-accounts. They hustled to get us over there, called everyone they knew with the idea, collecting funds as one person here and there would donate. There was a real grassroots feel to it.
We did around ten shows and one 24-hour kirtan during the fourteen days we were there. But because the organization was seamless and our reception so enthusiastic, we did not feel drained or tired but enthused and inspired. So many Aussies love kirtan! I was delighted by Janardan in Brisbane, Tina in Sydney, Krsnagraja in Melbourne, to mention a few. Notably, this enthusiasm was not limited to experienced kirtan-singers like the above, but to those completely new to it.
“Is there anything bad about Australia?” I kept asking our hosts as we drove through the beautiful country side from Brisbane to Sydney, then Sydney to Melbourne.
I was particularly happy when Sitapati, who had never seen The Mayapuris and As Kindred Spirits play together, commented that “We couldn’t imagine you without each other. You complement each other so well. ” His observation highlighted something I’d been reflecting on for a while. Gaura and As Kindred Spirits are melodic, sweet as honey, soulful, while we are passionate and fierce, with an edge that would border on aggressive without the soothing vibe of our kindred spirits. We feel so blessed to be singing, dancing, and serving together.
And being Down-Under only made it more dreamy and surreal. Did we dance with Kangaroos? No, didn’t even see one (though Gaura did chase a wallaby up a hill with his iPhone for a close-up) But everyone we did kirtan with put a kangaroo’s jump to shame, as they reached their arms high in the sky, jumping high, spirits soaring! Singing the holy names!
What more can I describe than this? Millions of opulences are of no use to me, my only wish is to have these pastimes constantly appear in my mind. 
-Vrinda
Haribol, I attended your Brisbane kirtan. It was just amazing. That was our Maha Kirtan 3. And having you guys just made Maha-Maha Kirtan. Everybody I know was so much engrossed and happy during kirtan and it was just amazing. Sitapati prabhu too deserves a great acknowledgement for bringing you guys to us. Hare Krishna.
We loved having you here in Australia, and truly hopoe that you will come every year!!!
Keep up the great work.
Radha Govinda
P.S: Every time we get in the car my daughter (8) requests either “Hey Nath” or Radha Krishna prana mora.
it was such an awesome experience…
wanted more and more…hahahaha..
waiting for ur nxt visit to melbourne now,,….Hari Bol!!!
I enjoyed reading this article. Great writing skills Vrinda. You have so many talents.
Nice to read about the kirtan and your ‘pastimes’. Keep having fun. See you guys around.
How about coming to Sri Vrindavana Dhaam and then Delhi???
Alok,
that would be a special dream come true!
If you have some suggestions as to how, please contact us: mayapuris@gmail.com
Hari Hari!
Hare Krsna,Hari Hari Bol…Danvat Pranaam…Please Accept My Humble Obeisance!!All Glories To Sri Guru.
I have added you on my gmail i.d i.e alok7112001@gmail.com. Also you can connect me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/alok7112001
A very insignificant servant of yours,
Alok
Wow! it touched my heart and brought so much joy reading about your ecstatic moments during your travel in OZ! I feel like I was there with all of you……so much love and passion for your bhajan and kirtan! I love you guys! Hope to see many more posts and pics! Sri Caitanya Isvaram!
hari…..bol
does Balarama tirtha das prabhu sing rap song ???
Hare Krishna,
Wish we could also perform here such nice seva.
You all are inspiring me very much.
Thanks
Jay Srila Prabhupada
i wish you guys came to canberra. i found out u guys were in sydney a little bit too late and wasnt able to attend. so i jus watch the viedoes of you in melbourne
hare krishna
I never knew I would be ready to jump high so fast. Can anyone award me anymore information?
So does that mean New Zealand is next??