Kirtana (Sanskrit: कीर्तन; IAST: Kīrtana), also rendered as Kiirtan, Kirtan or Keertan, is a Sanskrit word that means "narrating, reciting, telling, describing" of an idea or story, [1][2] specifically in Indian religions.
Kirtan (keer’ tn) is a form of devotional singing, often practiced as call and response. The leader (known as a kirtan wallah) will sing a line and participants repeat the line.
Kirtan is a form of devotional music that combines chanting, singing, and music to create a deeply spiritual and uplifting experience. The word “kirtan” comes from the Sanskrit kirtanam, meaning “to praise or glorify,” reflecting its purpose of connecting participants with the divine through sound.
What is Kirtan? A Guide to This Powerful Practice of Collective Singing
Let’s start with a basic definition of kirtan. According to kirtan artist and bhakti yoga educator David Newman, kirtan means “to praise that which is exalted”—aka, the divine.
Kirtan (कीर्तन) is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘kirt,’ meaning “to sing” or “to narrate.” Traditionally performed in a group setting, kirtan involves chanting the names of deities or sacred mantras accompanied by instruments like harmoniums, tablas, and hand cymbals.
Kirtan (Sanskrit: कीर्तन, “to praise”) emerged from the Bhakti movement (7th–17th century), a devotional renaissance that democratized spirituality in India. Unlike ritualistic practices reserved for elites, Kirtan invited everyone—regardless of caste or creed—to connect with the divine through song. Key Milestones:
Rooted in ancient traditions and celebrated in sacred scriptures, Kirtan transcends the bounds of mere musical performance to become a medium for spiritual awakening, communal bonding, and personal transformation.
Derived from a Sanskrit root meaning to call, recite, praise, or glorify, put simply, kirtan is the act of praising and glorifying some form of divinity.