From Prasadam to Kirtan: How Food and Music Became My Lifestyle Change
Hare Krishna!
For years, my doorway to Krishna consciousness was through prasadam. Cooking, offering, and honoring sanctified food is such a simple, joyful, and a guaranteed way to draw closer to Krishna every single day. The kitchen has been my classroom, teaching me devotion spoonful by spoonful.
In our Hare Krishna culture, food and music are nearly inseparable. Wherever there is prasadam, there is often kirtan. And wherever there is kirtan, prasadam is usually not far behind. These two together—food for the body and music for the soul—have created a lifestyle shift for me that is both sustainable and blissful.
How Learning Harmonium Changed My Spiritual Life
Though I started my music journey as a child trained in classical piano, I began seriously studying harmonium under my teacher Bada Haridas through his Harmonium 1 course on ArtOfKirtan.org.
His Grace Bada Haridas Prabhu is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, known for his kind and patient nature and his deeply soulful kirtans. Since 1975 he has shared the art of devotional music worldwide, inspiring devotees through teaching, temple service, and humble example. Today, he continues to travel, guide, and uplift hearts through kirtan and Vaishnava songs.
When I first started learning with him, I thought I was simply taking another music class. But what actually happened is that I started internalizing prayers and mantras immediately. By practicing melodies every day, I found that I was memorizing Sanskrit verses and their meter without even trying. Slowly, the songs began to live in my heart.
One night while playing one song my teacher Bada Haridas taught me, titled “Radhe Shyam Meditation” I began crying for Krishna. It was quite an emotional and spiritual experience for me personally.
Just as preparing prasadam daily draws you nearer to Krishna, singing and playing mantras has woven spiritual practice into my everyday rhythm. Now food and music are both part of my sadhana.
About the Harmonium 1 Course
Here’s what makes Harmonium 1 so special:
- Learn to lead 12 kirtans with full melodies.
- 83 videos (12.5 hours) of in-depth instruction.
- 37 reference PDFs to practice with.
- Bonus course included: Kirtan Sequence & Flow.
- Interactive community forum to ask questions and share progress (great for connecting with other students).
What you’ll learn inside:
- The North Indian music system (sargam) + Western basics for playing in different keys.
- Scales, fingering, and chords to make your playing fluid.
- 12 Maha Mantra kirtans with mridanga, kartals, and chorus to practice along.
- A full section on temple prayers like Mangalacarana.
- How to transpose melodies and play in all 12 keys.
This is more than a harmonium class—it’s a doorway into becoming a confident kirtaniya.
👉 Explore the course here: ArtOfKirtan.org
Why This Matters
Learning to play kirtan isn’t just about music. It’s about service. Imagine being able to confidently lead Mangala-ārati, Gaura-ārati, or the Maha Mantra at your temple, Krishna house, or home program. You not only strengthen your own practice, but you help create a devotional atmosphere for others.
Even if you don’t feel personally drawn to learning music, there’s another way to serve: supporting this nonprofit. Art of Kirtan is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to spreading devotional music education. Donations help keep the courses accessible, support the teachers, and expand resources so more devotees worldwide can learn.
Supporting Art of Kirtan means directly supporting Srila Prabhupada’s mission to spread the chanting of the holy names everywhere.
Closing Thoughts
Cooking prasadam and singing kirtan are two sides of the same offering. One feeds the body; the other feeds the soul. Together, they transform ordinary days into a devotional lifestyle.
I am deeply grateful to H.G. Bada Hari Prabhu for sharing his knowledge so generously. Through Harmonium 1, and beyond, he hasn’t just taught me notes and scales—he has given me a living practice that now accompanies me every day.
👉 If you’re curious, visit ArtOfKirtan.org and see for yourself. Whether you pick up a harmonium or simply support their mission, you’ll be helping to spread the sound of kirtan around the world. And, if you already know Harmonium, they have courses on the Bansuri (Indian Flute), Mridanga (Indian Drum), Kartals (Indian Hand Bells), and more.
Haribol! 🙏