Krishna Das

Krishna Das is a modern master who awakens the heart with his sacred music.

KD has been recording albums of traditional Indian chants and song since 1996, but has been on a spiritual journey his entire life. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, he has been an innovative traditionalist, utilizing western melodic sensibilities in Hindu kirtan (chanting) while maintaining its traditional base and structure, and is a master of infusing the Indian tradition with modern influences. While staying true to the path of Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga of Devotion), his music is energized with modern grooves and harmonies to create soulful chanting that is eminently accessible to western hearts. Iconic spiritual leader Ram Dass describes Krishna Das as "an example of someone whose heartsongs open the channels to God."

Krishna Das was first exposed to Indian culture and spirituality in his early 20s. In the winter of 1968, he met Ram Dass, who had just returned from his seminal first trip to India. After living and traveling with Ram Dass in the U.S., and hearing his many stories about his remarkable guru, Maharaj-ji (Neem Karoli Baba), Krishna Das traveled to India, where he was blessed to meet and stay with this extraordinary saint. KD spent as much time as possible with Maharaj-ji during those first years in India, opening himself to the flow of Grace and purifying his heart. Early in 1973, he was asked by Maharaj-ji to return to America.

In 1990, Krishna Das founded Karuna/Triloka Records, a leading distributor of world music recordings. His debut album, One Track Heart, released in 1996, focuses on updated chants from the ancient tradition of Bhakti Yoga. His second album, Pilgrim Heart, released in 1998, features a guest appearance by Sting, who sings on the tune, “Mountain Hare Krishna,” and plays bass on “Ring Song.” Krishna Das released the double CD Live on Earth…For a Limited Time Only in early 2000, and followed it with Pilgrim of the Heart (Sounds True), a recording of many of Krishna Das’ stories about his experiences with Maharaj-ji and, later, in America (re-released in 2008 as a three-CD set).

2001’s Breath of the Heart was produced by Rick Rubin and features a kirtan choir of fifty people (including Beastie Boy Mike D) and ten top eastern and western musicians and was followed in 2003 by another Rick Rubin production, Door of Faith, a departure from Krishna Das’ signature call-and-response-style chant that is, instead, a deeply moving collection of solo prayers. Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga, released in 2004, is a compilation of old favorites and new chants accompanied by a DVD, One Life at a Time, featuring clips of live kirtan and interviews with Krishna Das and friends.

Krishna Das’ next CD, All One, is a dynamic 70-minute recording of the Hare Krishna mantra in Krishna Das’ own unique style – that moves from a contemplative style, reminiscent of the hills of India, to a rocking South African ‘township’ finale.

This was followed by Flow of Grace – Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa in 2006, in CD/book form, offering the reader/listener some background on Hanuman in different traditions, photos, translations, and a variety of melodies in which he sings this 4-verse traditional hymn from India.

Next came 2007’s Gathering in the Light, a collaboration between Krishna Das and composer/overtone singer Baird Hersey and Prana, utilizing only voice and percussion to create new arrangements of seven of Krishna Das’ most beloved chants.

Krishna Das’ CD release, Heart Full of Soul (two-CD set; fall 2008) is a vibrant live recording that immerses the listener in the joyous experience of an evening of devotional chant with Krishna Das, from beginning to end.

Chants of the Lifetime (February 2010), includes 230 pages of KD’s stories of his youth, his time with his Guru, and his experiences on the Path – written in his own words, with photos, and a CD especially designed for the reader/listener to develop her own chanting practice.

Heart as Wide as World (March 2010), his first studio album release in a few years, reveals the merging of KD’s youth in the American rock’n’roll world with his spiritual roots in the Indian tradition. We find new tracks of original English songs flowing into chants from the east, beautifully accompanied by western and eastern instrumentation.

Live Ananda (January 2012), nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category is the first-time release of live recordings of classic Krishna Das favorites drawn from his early studio recordings. These tracks capture the depth and spirit of the group of chanters on a 3 -day retreat in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Krishna Das accompanied by tabla, khol mridanga, bass, violin, flute, and cymbals, blends the musical and spiritual tradition of the east with the voice of the west to create this rendition of call-and-response chanting that lead us into Ananda – Happiness and our true state of Being.

One Track Heart – The Story of Krishna Das (Dec 2012), a film that chronicles KD’s chanting path premiered and was winner of best documentary at the Maui Film Festival Dec 2012. The film is distributed by Zeitgeist Films and has been screened in over 100 US cities, over 10 countries, and is available on DVD around the world.

In February 2013, Krishna Das performed at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles, CA streamed online to millions of viewers. The award-winning film ‘One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das’ has been in over 100 US cities, over 10 countries worldwide and is available on DVD everywhere.

Kirtan Wallah (April 2014) – With the release of his 14th album, Kirtan Wallah—one who sings kirtan, KD offers a westward-leaning album, fully embracing his American roots in rock and country and yet embodying the spirit and practice of of deeply devotional Indian chants.

In 2014 the Kirtan Wallah Foundation was formed. This 501c3 is dedicated to spreading the teachings of KD’s guru and spiritual teacher, Neem Karoli Baba, Lovingly called Maharjji. More information about the Kirtan Wallah Foundation, can be found on KD's website KrishnaDas.com

Trust In The Heart (October 2017) – KD returns to the roots of kirtan, a collection of prayers and chants that would feel equally at home being sung in a temple as being cranked up on a car stereo on a cross country sojourn, with melodies that recall both American rock as well as traditional Indian influences.

Peace Of My Heart (October 2018) – Nearly two hours of deeply moving, meditative and artfully restrained new recordings born out of a request from a yoga teacher who works with children on the Autism Spectrum. Forgoing the ecstatic tempo changes so common to temple-style kirtan, these 5 new tracks move slowly and deliberately. The song to song steadiness is both striking and soothing, and as emotionally impactful as ever.

Krishna Das conducts intensive retreats, workshops, and chanting sessions. He leads kirtan on a regular basis all over the world. He continues to teach with Ram Dass and has sung for many saints, lamas, and yogis here, in India, and all around the world.


In his own words: "Chanting is a way of getting in touch with yourself. It's an opening of the heart and letting go of the mind and thoughts. It deepens the channel of grace, and it's a way of being present in the moment."