California based Kirtaniyas are a global collective of musicians, producers and dancers. These energetic, multitalented artists grew up in a Vedic culture of song, dance, philosophy and devotion between ashrams and temples both in India and the western world.

Vijay Krsna, band leader, studied devotional Indian folk music known as “Kirtan” in the sacred village of Vrindavana, India. This rare traditional art form is an ancient call-and-response mantra chanting practice, that originated in the Indian subcontinent over 5000 years ago. Joined together with his musically gifted wife Sarasvati, soulful vocalist Rasika and drummer Nitai, Vijay formed the Kirtaniyas in 2009. They have since expanded the group, sometimes performing with up to 12 members on stage. They have travelled the world to over 15 countries infusing new life to these ancient chants with youthful spirit and energy.

Besides the largely traditional approach to their acoustic sets, the Kirtaniyas push the boundaries of genre to combine all of their passions into one new and unique sound. Melodious electronic dance music and subsonic bass meets the call and response singing of ancient Sanskrit mantras, accompanied by live acoustic instruments. This is where the boundaries between performers and audience become blurred, everybody is united in one voice and everybody becomes the band.

Early 2012 saw the release of the long anticipated first acoustic album called “Heart & Soul” through Silenzio (Europe) and White Swan Records (USA). Funded largely by the groups growing fanbase, the album debuted at #11 on the itunes World music chart.

The band members are multi-instrumentalists accomplished in traditional Indian style vocals, harmonium, classical violin,tabla and mrdanga drums, hand cymbals, bells, gub gubi, electronic music production and classical Bharatnatyam Dance.

They have collaborated with artists such as Cheb i Sabbah, Kula Shaker, The Polish Ambassador, Jai Uttal, MC Yogi, DJ Drez, Hiatus, Saqi, Audiopharmacy, and others.

The Kirtaniyas are: Vijay Krsna, Sarasvati, Rasika, Nitai, Malini, Jamuna and Nakula.