Help Devaki make a Live Mantra Meditation Album

Blessings, my name is Devaki, I am a musician/Kirtan facilitator with Stunflower & a Movement Psychotherapist with Sound & Movement Sanctuary. I am fundraising to co-create a 9 track live Mantra/Kirtan Sound & Voice Meditation album.

Answering the repeated call of many Kirtan participants over the years I've been yearning to record these Mantras, some I've created, some gifted to me, some written by musician friends, some traditional. I feel the beauty, solace, depth and therapeutic benefits of these Mantras will help others and myself in our healing journeys towards wholeness. I envision this album feeling meditative, alive, melodic, rhythmic, expressive, authentic, soothing and connected to the divinity in us all.

Join us in exploring and sharing the ancient tradition of Kirtan and discover it's healing and transformative potential.

I envision recording in South East London, my local area, where many musician friends live. My wishlist of musicians includes extremely accomplished talented beautiful artists who have a passion for Kirtan.

I will play Harmonium and sing, and hope to invite regular Kirtan participants to add their voices to enrich the sound for unity and oneness. Other instrumentation I want to use includes Tabla, Guitar, Cello, Bansuri, Keys and other Indian percussion.

I want to create a record that can be sung along to, to bring folks back to the magic of Kirtan sessions we share and introduce people to the serenity and profound depth of Mantras for the 1st time.

I envision a Voice Meditation tool, to sing along, listen & explore your voice in beautiful expressive ways using repetition of meaningful Sanskrit Mantras, proven to have profound therapeutic benefits that ripple out into people's lives.

I've been holding Kirtan: Sound & Voice Meditation sessions across the UK for over 6 years and playing drums/voice for beautiful Kirtan-maker Sivani Mata. Venues/festivals include The Shala, Dragonfly Yoga Studio, Yoga Mela, Croydon Yoga Hub, Kamatala Festival, Tempting Failure, Seraphima, Medicine Festival, Yogific 2016/17, Om Yoga Show, Orange Tree Retreat, Caribbean Hindu Cultural Society, Puja Festival @ Study Society & the Life Centre. I've had many lovely people approach me for recordings of Mantras we share in sessions; simple Sanskrit Mantras with English counter-parts in repetition.

BREAKDOWN OF FUNDS RAISED:

Studio Hire (live capacity, 2 days) - £600

Musician fees (Guitar, Tabla, Bansuri, 2 days @ £200/day/musician) - £1200

Engineer, Mixing, Mastering - £1500

Artwork - £200

Total Cost of 9 track Album - £3500

TIMELINE OF PROJECT:

Dec - Jan: Solidify studio, musicians and schedules

Feb: 1 Day Rehearsal in Studio & 1 Day Live in Studio Recording

Feb - March: Overdubbing, Mixing Mastering, Artwork

March: Publish album on all digital platforms (Spotify, Amazon Music, Instagram, Facebook, Sound & Movement Sanctuary Website etc) Order Vinyl records of album

March: Launch Event in-person and online

April: Special Kirtan Workshop, Intro to Harmonium/Kirtan Course, Intimate evenings w Dinner and Kirtan

MANTRAS ON ALBUM:

Hey Ma

Shivoham

Om Kreem Kali Kayeh Namah

Om Shanti Om

Om Namoh Sivaya

Sita Ram

Om Namoh Gurudev Namoh

Shiva Shambo

Aham Prema

Om Namoh Bhagavate

EXCHANGES OF LOVE FOR YOUR SUPPORT:

£10+

£20+

£50+

£100+

£200+

ALL OF THE ABOVE OFFERINGS AND SUPPORT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOVING HEART AND GOOD KARMA TO HELP CO-CREATE A MAGICAL MUSICAL THERAPEUTIC TOOL FOR MANY TO ENJOY AND FIND SOLACE DURING THESE TRYING TIMES

A brief history of Kirtan & myself as a facilitator....

Immerse yourself in the transformative practice of Kirtan, sound & voice meditation inspired by ancient traditions rooted in Hindu and Sikh temples. This communal gathering is a profound experience where rhythmic repetition of meaningful Sanskrit mantras leads participants into a harmonious state of body-mind-soul connection, forging a profound communion with the divine.

‍♂️ Therapeutic Mantras: Explores the therapeutic power of Sanskrit mantras, interspersed with English lyrics, in a singular vocal expression that unites us all. Through breathwork, somatic meditation, and the resonance of these ancient chants, we connect with the sky and earth, grounding ourselves and releasing what no longer serves us.

‍♂️Self-Discovery & Connection: This practice allows participants to delve deep within themselves, fostering a profound connection to both their inner selves and their fellow participants. It's a space to release, express, and manifest.

‍♂️The Healing Power of Repetition: The repetitive chants serve as a therapeutic tool, soothing the mind and emotions. They help participants reconnect with their own voice and offer a profound sense of peace and emotional healing.

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Devaki Thomas is a multi-disciplinary artist and Movement Psychotherapist originally from Western Canada now settled in South Norwood, London, UK. She grew up in the music centric Hare Krishna faith where she sang Kirtan since age 3 and began drumming for Kirtan at age 8. Her father was a world-renowned Kirtan leader.

She specialises in music performance/instruction (drums, percussion, vocals), classical Indian dance performance, instruction and choreography (Odissi) and composing/playing music to collaborate/perform with dancers. She plays in musical project, reggae-funk-folk band Stunflower, at festivals/events across the UK.

Her previous life in Canada saw her as percussionist/vocalist/drummer for world music sensation Samsara which led to co-founding an renowned 3-day alcohol-free camping, music & dance event, the Komasket Music Festival. In 2015 Devaki trained in India to become a Hatha Yoga teacher and then in 2017 she qualified with a Master's in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, to help people heal through movement and sound.

Blessings & Gratitude for your support & love

In warmth & service always....

Devaki

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