Heart of the Lotus

PABS–Lead singer; Guitars; Songwriter/Composer. PABS has been singing & recording the sacred mantras & Kirtan music since 1976. He released the album entitled “Journey to a different World” & most notably the albums “Haribol” & “Mahal” when he was signed with RCA / Vicor and Polydor / Polygram /Dyna records, wherein the single “Krishna, Haribol” was heard by 4-6 million people. He also recorded an album with Harvey Mason, drummer of George Benson & producer of the jazz group “Seawind”. He performed at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. PABS gave free yoga, meditation & vegetarian classes in the New York City and New Jersey areas for 15 years & founded the “Yoga Gauranga Foundation” a non-profit group. PABS also wrote three books entitled “Mother Sun, “Anak Araw” & “Heart of the Lotus”, which are now catalogued in the libraries of Yale & Cornell universities and at the Library of Congress. His latest book entitled “Our Father the many Names of one God” will be out soon.

JADA–Drummer; Percussionist. JADA has been performing & writing music for 35 years. He formed the band called “Chronic Sick” known today as the godfathers of punk rock music. He also recorded an album entitled “1980” at the CNN building in Atlanta, which was produced by one of the members of the L.A Guns. He was signing a record deal in the early 90's with Arista Records when he was with the band called “Gods Gift to God”. His involvement with Kirtan started when he joined a Vedic group of artists called “Mystic Hipsters”. After the band went their separate ways, JADA continued writing & playing Kirtan.

DAMODAR–Bass Guitar. DAMODAR hails from the beautiful island of Maui. He has been playing Kirtan music all his life. He was born & raised by yogis, so that from a very tender age he was surrounded by yoga, meditation & Kirtan music. He fondly recalls his dad teaching him a beautiful baroque piece with the guitar. DAMODAR furthered his music studies & played & performed with other Kirtan bands in the California area.

BAKULA–Guitars. BAKULA started playing guitars professionally & performed with renowned show bands in 1974, throughout the club circuit along Roxas Blvd. in Manila and Greenbelt Circle, Philippines. During that time, he also played in the disco joints in Takamatsu, Kobe and Tokyo, Japan. His talents also include composing & arranging rock oriented jingles for International TV & FM radio broadcasting. He was introduced to Kirtan in 1981 & his ability to adjust his own unique style to different musicians with various musical leanings is a natural attribute he holds.

RAMA DASI–Harmonium; Vocals. When not practicing on her harmonium. RAMA DASI likes to engage in and give free classes on Kirtan - the ancient art of singing & chanting sacred mantras. A world-traveller and aspiring artist, some of her work is sold in her own store in Sedona. She has also been a back-up singer for Pabs in past performances.

RADHARANI-Doumbek; Percussion; Vocals. RADHARANI has been around kirtan since a very young age. Growing up in the Philippines submersed in chanting, her outlook on life became permanently expanded. After landing in the states she continued her yoga practice in California & later the Midwest. Always curious to understand herself more deeply, in 2005 she started studying energy healing, martial arts, and body work. Her passion to help others expanded as she took up sound healing practices, working with handmade gongs & Tibetan singing bowls. She now utilizes all her talents whilst living and chanting in Sedona.

SEVA–Acoustic Guitar; Vocals. SEVA first came to yoga around 2009. He practiced hatha & kundalini yoga as he traveled the United States, attending various concerts & musical events. During this time he was introduced to Kirtan. Having a musical background throughout his life, this ancient practice of mantra meditation combined with music was the perfect fit. SEVA completed his yoga teacher training in Sedona in 2012. Ever since he has taught regular yoga classes which infuse asana and kriya with mantra and Kirtan. He plays bass & djembe at their weekly Kirtan events.

HARI NAMA DASI- Vocals; Acoustic Guitar; Keyboards. HARI NAMA DASI’s originals have received recognition from Billboard Music's Song of the Year Competition (Honorable Mention) for “Nityananda Chaitanya”; Semi-Finalist for VH1 Save the Music Foundation's "Song of the Year" competition for her song "A Higher Way"; LA Music Awards' Showcase Artists of the Year for her songs “Loving Thoughts” & “Nityananda Chaitanya”, also included in Music for Troops "All States Music" & “Songs from the Heart”. HARI NAMA DASI has conducted & participated in numerous Kirtan Workshops & Festivals.