After some needed R&R time (rest and rehearsal!), we got to attend our first meeting of the Krishna Balarama Youth Group. This was to be the first time we would meet many who had been working tirelessly to bring us here, and also our first chance have kirtan with them.

We were all a little nervous as we pulled up outside the security gate of the large house. Though we had been greeted with such love by those we had met already, we were still unsure what to expect from such a large group, and more importantly, wondered exactly what they were expecting of us. After flying us thousands of miles across deserts and ocean, we didn’t want to let anyone down. Of course, there was no need to worry. Before we had even stepped out of the car, the sound of joyful kirtan could be heard, drifting over the outer walls. Entering, we found everything in full swing. A beautiful altar had been set up outside, and small candles were carefully arranged around the gathering. Hands clapped in time, and a multitude of voices called in response as one of our new friends, Nashin, led the chanting. We eagerly joined in, grateful to see we were to spend our time in South Africa with such energetic kirtan enthusiasts!

As Gaura began his first kirtan, he kindly asked everyone to join in with any instruments they liked, and not to feel like an audience to our kirtan ‘performance’. Our mood in coming to South Africa, was that we all wanted to sincerely serve the devotees, and together, inspire each other to chant Krishna’s names with great feeling. Though sometimes circumstance necessitates performing kirtan on a stage before an audience, there is no place for pride, and the mood of mutual service to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna between the musicians and participants should never change. We were all so thankful that everyone present understood this, and chanted and danced the rest of the night away with full heart and enthusiasm. It was a memorable evening, and there were to be many more to come…

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• 01 Nashin – Hare Krishna (2838)
• 02 Gaura Vani – Invocation (1718)
• 03 Akincana Krishna – Hare Krishna (3808)
• 04 Ananta Govinda – Hare Krishna (2283)