The Music from the Heart devotional concert services hosted Grammy-nominated artist Jai Uttal in the Catholic Chapel for the fourth time on Dec. 7.
Those who attended were encouraged to chant sacred Sanskrit mantras along with the musicians.
According to Jai, “Mantras mean that which transforms the mind. When we sing mantras, the mind comes back to the heart.”
Kirtan is a particular style of singing that has become popular in devotional circles. Jai is considered one of its foremost exponents. “Kirtan,” said Jai, “is when you sing phrases that are names for God. They are sung with music and rhythm. The essence is God’s name. Singing is the meditation.”
Jai’s drummer, Radhanath, played intricate rhythms on a two-headed clay drum that hung like a guitar over his shoulder. In Sanskrit it is called a mridanga-anga (body) mri (earth). Radhanath exuded confidence, grace, passion and devotion as he playfully danced while singing love songs to God. When asked to perform repeated solos, he energized the audience with his expert hand drumming. “Kirtan is being sung all around the world. Holy places (temples) in India are crowded now because Westerners are taking an interest in Kirtan,” he said.
One of the many Kirtans taught to the men during the performance was “Om Namah Shivaya,” a popular Sanskrit chant. When asked what it meant, Jai explained that one translation is “Thy will be done.” For more literal translations, he said that “Shiva (God) is the Lord of transformation and assists us from darkness to light. Om is believed to be the first word of creation, Namah means ‘bow to’ and Shivaya represents the ocean of mercy and benevolence.” It translates to ‘I bow to God within.’”
Jai played a small organ-like instrument called a harmonium while his powerful melodic voice rang out clearly through the chapel. When asked why he sang in Sanskrit, an ancient language, he replied, “I love Sanskrit mantras. Words are another form of God. The spirit of God is there.” Jai’s personal experience is that “Art and music in India are designed to open the heart and connect with Spirit. I see every instrument that one can play can be devotional music for God.”
In an interview afterward, Jai was asked how Kirtan affected his life. His reply: “It’s saved my life. I was deeply into drug addiction and drinking, and Kirtan maintained a thread of connection to God. It pulled me out of that life.” He went on to say, “Yoga practice is expanding and Kirtan is so linked to yoga. Kirtan addresses the anguish of the heart, and our society is becoming desperate.”
The female vocalist in the performing trio, Kalimba, appeared peaceful and poised as she sang accompaniment. In her words, “It’s like an honor to come back because people are consciously working on themselves. The truth is we are already incarcerated in a human body. But people in prison are aware they’re incarcerated, and there’s an opportunity to better oneself.”
Jesuit Father George Williams and San Quentin facilitator and Chaplin Intern Susan Shannon are the co-creators of the Sunday evening devotional concert series. She was questioned how she thought the San Quentin community received Jai.
“I knew Jai would be a good fit. His love of all the faces and names of God come through his voice. The point of these devotional music nights is to create and unite us all with the resonance of our hearts, all responding to that oneness of love and joy which is available to us when we do our inner work together. My hope is that we sing together and resonate with that light of devotion. This is such an inner and outer blessing, which promotes healing and interconnectedness between all of us present, and all of us not present.”