Kirtana Etiquettes

Kértanas should be sweet and melodious and not simply loud. There are standard melodies to be sung at specific times of the day. Also the kértana should be simple and led in a way that can be followed and repeated easily by other devotees. All devotees should enthusiastically participate in the kértan by singing in chorus after the lead singer. The prema dhvani prayers shall be chanted at the end of the kértana by the senior most devotee present.

Only standard instruments (mrdanga, kartal, harmonium) shall be used:

Çréla Prabhupäda writes:

Keep with you four or five pairs of cymbals, one harmonium, one mrdanga. One of you play the harmonium, one of you plays the mrdanga, and some persons in the audience can play the karatalas. In this way you can perform nice kirtana. [Letter to: Hamsaduta — New Vrindaban, June 17, 1969]

Practically we are not concerned with the instruments. They are used sometimes to make it sweeter, but if we divert our attention for using the instruments more, that is not good. Generally kirtana is performed with mrdanga and karatalas, but if somebody is expert instrument player, he can be admitted to join Sankirtana. We can accept everything for Krishna's service, but not taking the risk of diverting attention to any other thing which will hinder our Krishna Consciousness. [Letter to: Jadurani, New Vrindaban, May 26, 1969]

Mrdanga and cymbals will increase the dignity of kirtana. [Letter to: Brahmananda, San Francisco, February 23, 1967]

The focus is on devotional emotion, not style.

Çréla Prabhupäda writes:

With regard to your question about Bengali style kirtana and mrdanga playing, one or two styles is best. To introduce more styles is not good; It will become an encumbrance. Who is that Krsna das Babaji who is teaching? If we introduce so much emphasis on style of kirtana, then simply imitation will go on. Devotional emotion is the main thing. If we give stress to instrument and style then attention will be diverted to the style. That will be spiritual loss. [Letter to Satsvarupa Goswami, New Vrndavana, June 30, 1976]

We don't require anyone who is very musically talented. [Letter to: Brahmananda, New Vrindaban, May 26, 1969]

We are using mrdanga, karatala, that is enough. We are not musicians. We are Krsna bhaktas. Therefore we do not stress so much importance on these different musical talents. [Letter to: Jagadisa Pandita, Bombay, December 28, 1974]

Sing only kértanas which are authorized.

Çréla Prabhupäda writes:

In our temple, strictly Hare Krishna chanting should be given more importance. This is no harm in this mantra you have heard, but it is not very important. There are many such common songs composed by common devotees out of sentiment. But our principle is to stick to the authorities, and always remember that Hare Krishna is the prime authorized mantra. [Letter to: Malati, Los Angeles, January 28, 1969]

Authorized songs means the songs which were sung or composed by self-realized Acaryas. It is an injunction in the Vaisnava regulations that unauthorized songs or statements should never be heard. The comparison is given that milk, although very nutritious food, if it is touched by the tongue of a serpent, it acts like poison. So I am giving herewith a few lines of authorized songs which you may deliver to George... So these songs were sung by Lord Caitanya Himself, therefore they are the most authorized songs. [Letter to: Syamasundara, Los Angeles, February 25, 1970]

For a list of authorized kértanas click here. 

Regarding the Raghu Pati Raghava song, we are not concerned with this song because it had a political motive; it is not pure devotional service. Gandhi was a great statesman in the garb of a saintly person, so that the Indian population would blindly follow him. But his motive was political and we are therefore not very interested with it. However, you can sing the first two lines, (Raghu Pati Raghava Raja Ram, Patita Pavana Sita Ram). [Letter to: Krsna dasa, Los Angeles, February 13, 1969]