Nations First Kirtan Documentary to Feature Kirtan in the Heartland of America

Recently featured on the local FOX and NBC affiliates, Milwaukee's Kirtan with Ragani event is being featured in the nations first kirtan documentary. Nearly 300 people gathered in Milwaukee on Friday, November 14, 2003, for the shooting of the nations first video documentary of the kirtan experience in heartland of America. Film producer, David Lee Hendrickson, Ltd., has scheduled the release for December 2004.

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) January 19, 2004 --Kirtan (yoga chant) is the musical counterpart to the physical poses of yoga. In Time Magazine (Oct 2003), this musical genre received recognition as a participatory, cross-cultural experience that is fast gaining popularity throughout the U.S. as it follows on the heels of the yoga craze. Recently featured on local FOX and NBC affiliates, Milwaukee's Kirtan with Ragani is second only to New York for the largest ongoing kirtan scene in the country. Nearly 300 people gathered in Milwaukee on Friday, November 14, for the shooting of the nations first video documentary of the kirtan experience in heartland of America. Film producer, David Lee Hendrickson, Ltd., has scheduled the release for December 2004.

Hundreds of people of diverse ages (from kids to seniors), backgrounds and beliefs flock to the Milwaukee kirtan on a monthly basis to take part in this dynamic call-and-response world music that incorporates the audience right into the performance. Led by Ragani, who has over twenty years kirtan experience, the East Side Kirtan features traditional Indian instruments such as the tanpura and harmonium, mixed with world drums & percussion and modern Western bass, guitar, flute, and more. East meets West and past meets present through the blend of exotic Indian and traditional western instruments and lyrics sung in ancient Sanskrit by modern Americans. Ragani is the Maharani of the Milwaukee kirtan scene”, says YOGAChicago. Raganis kirtans are the most devotional and non-pretentious ones I have attended… [she] blend[s] the spiritual and the earthly seamlessly,” quotes OnMilwaukee.com.

A special performance of the kirtan took place in November 2003 to capture the phenomenon on video for the nations first documentary to feature Kirtan in the heartland of America. The documentary will highlight one of the countrys fastest-growing musical trends and cross-cultural experiences, and will feature Ragani and her Milwaukee-based ongoing Kirtan event, as featured on local FOX and NBC affiliates. Ragani has been leading kirtan for more than 20 years. Learning the craft directly from her Indian guru, Swami Rama, founder of the Himalayan Institute, Ragani is one of Americas most authentic kirtan performers and one of the foremost authorities on the practice.

For more information (event dates, demo CD, short kirtan demo video, etc.):
Contact: Ragani
Message Center: 414-964-0690
Website: http://www.RaganiWorld.com
Soundclips of music & Order CDs online: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ragani.

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