What a gift to offer sound in the temple of this beautiful Goddess!
Arunachala Shiva is a sacred traditional Indian chant praying to and honoring Divine Father as Shiva. And the volcanic energetic vortex of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai- considered the oldest Mountain in the world, revered as the seat of Shiva- the unmanifest- in the element of fire made manifest, and an eternal mystical repository for yogis of all traditions.
Like all original Sanskrit chants, it has numerous benefits encoded in its sound that soothe the singer and listeners’ nervous systems, and rekindle the fire of awakening.
Immediately mesmerized by the tune, since I heard it first in Tiruvannamalai, I have been singing it to the mountains, the wind, in temples and toilets alike, to all my Beloveds and my Self. Many singing voicemails left with this one- haha!
In this recording, the beginning is cut off…but that solo start was the original sound.
It’s not an easy tune to bring others along into.
Jacques and I had been working on coordinating the timing. I with my devotion to the old form of the classical tune- the preservation of an ancient sound…he with his incredible wizardry and improvisation…It was a dance, not leaving the old form, or my love of it, and meeting him in his speed and derivative. And then bringing the crowd along too!
We had abandoned the project, agreeing it was best sang solo, and instead, we were going to perform a Ganesha chant.
But when the moment came, Sri Ammani turned to us with a smile, as if she knew we weren’t going to sing it…and said- “Arunachnala…”
And so it was.
It’s a different story for another day, but I had made a wish to sing kirtan a few months ago. It was a pure wish, and when those arise, I know the Universe listens.
So, without effort or strife, the Universe opened a door- somehow with Divine Intervention, the Grace of the Mother, Sri Ammani and Jacques, my wish came true- amidst people I love, in a place I love, doing what I love. Could Life be any sweeter?
I was so excited to be asked to sing (could you tell?! :)
Sri Ammani said so sweetly, “You can bring the sound of India alive.”
I hope you can feel the sound of my heartland, that the Himalayas and the Ganges came through. I feel them in my bones.
If you need a kirtan singer who will bring the sound of India alive, please call.
I want to offer all my songs to God. And I am re-learning the harmonium too!
This was a humble beginning in a new phase of coming out of the closet…It’s so precious to be able to share Love and music in devotion with other devotees.
Thank you God!
More please, I say to the Bay!
Though I’ll go anywhere I’m called to sing to God.
🙏🔥🩷✨💃🏽🐣
wanderings + wonderings 