 The Mayapuris are an eclectic group of talented musicians who share their love of the sacred culture of kirtan through their music. The Mayapuris are Vishvambhar Das (Vish), Balarama Tirtha Das (Bali), Krsna Kishore Das (Kish), and Jagannath Kirtan Das (Jagi). The group has been touring around the world performing with RockOm album Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits on the Mantralogy Tour 09 and recently performed at the Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree, California. They took their name in honor of 'Mayapur' which is a place in west Bengali, on the banks of the Ganga where the sankirtan movement as we know it originated some 500 years ago. Mayapur is where Caitanya Mahaprabhu utilized kirtan as a non-violent response to the oppressive cultures in place as well as a protest to the caste social system. The people would take to the streets, sing and dance with the mridanga drum. It was spiritual; and anyone could join in. The Muslims, Hindus and all levels of social caste joined in. Most of the members have spent some time in Mayapur studying and going to school learning more of their instruments, visiting holy places and bathing in the Ganga. |