A Beginner’s Guide · Mantra, Music & Community
You do not need a trained voice, a musical background or the confidence to sing in front of others. Kirtan invites you to take part in a shared experience of mantra, music and community, exactly as you are.
For many people, the thought of singing in a room full of strangers is enough to keep them away. There is the uncertainty of not knowing the words, the worry of sounding different from everyone else and the feeling that participation requires a level of confidence they do not have.
Kirtan offers a different perspective.
Rooted in devotional traditions of India, Kirtan brings people together through the repetition of mantras, often accompanied by live music. One person leads a phrase, and the group responds. The words and melodies repeat, allowing participants to become familiar with the rhythm as the practice continues.
There is no audition, no performance to prepare for and no expectation that everyone will sing the same way. You can participate with your voice, listen quietly or simply become familiar with the experience.
For someone who has never attended a Kirtan gathering, understanding what happens in the room can make taking that first step feel much easier.
01 — The Basics
What Is Kirtan?
Kirtan is a form of devotional singing and chanting associated with Indian spiritual traditions. It commonly involves the repetition of mantras or sacred names, accompanied by music and shared participation.
A central feature of many Kirtan gatherings is call-and-response chanting. A leader sings or chants a phrase, and the group repeats it. This pattern continues throughout the practice, often with musical accompaniment.
Rather than requiring participants to memorise a long piece of music, the repetitive structure gives people an opportunity to become familiar with the words and melody as they go.
Kirtan is not simply a concert where an audience watches a performer. Although the music may be led by an experienced musician or facilitator, the collective nature of the practice is important. The group contributes to the sound and rhythm of the gathering.
Kirtan also has a devotional context. Mantras and chants may be connected to particular spiritual traditions, teachings or sacred names. Their significance can extend beyond the melody itself, which is why understanding the cultural and spiritual roots of the practice matters.
Different communities may approach Kirtan in different ways, but shared chanting, repetition and participation are common features.
02 — The Structure
How Does Call-and-Response Chanting Work?
If you are new to Kirtan, call-and-response is one of the simplest things to understand.
The facilitator introduces a phrase, and participants repeat it. The same phrase may return several times before the leader introduces another. Music helps establish a rhythm, while repetition makes it easier to follow the structure.
You do not need to know every word before arriving. You can listen to the leader first and join in when you feel ready.
The process may look something like this:
The repetition provides a structure that participants can follow without needing to know what comes next. You can concentrate on listening rather than trying to anticipate an entire song.
This is part of what makes Kirtan approachable for people without a musical background. The aim is not to reproduce a technically perfect performance. It is to participate in the practice in a way that feels appropriate to you.
03 — Your Voice
Do You Need to Be Able to Sing?
No. Singing ability is not a prerequisite for attending Kirtan.
Some people arrive feeling comfortable using their voices. Others may be hesitant, particularly if they associate singing with being judged or performing in front of an audience.
Kirtan does not need to be approached that way.
The repeated phrases make it possible to learn as you listen. You may recognise the rhythm before you know the words, or you may need a few repetitions before you feel comfortable joining in. Both are perfectly reasonable ways to begin.
You also do not have to sing loudly. If you prefer to participate quietly, you can. If you want to spend the first part of the gathering listening, you can do that too.
A useful distinction is that participation does not have to mean performance. There is no requirement to demonstrate vocal ability or draw attention to yourself.
If you are concerned about how your voice sounds, consider allowing yourself to focus on the shared rhythm instead. You are one voice among many, and your contribution does not need to stand out to be part of the experience.
04 — The Mantras
What If You Do Not Know the Mantras?
Not knowing the mantras is another common reason people hesitate to attend.
Kirtan often uses repetition, which means you can hear a phrase several times before deciding whether to join in. You do not need to arrive with an extensive knowledge of Sanskrit or an established chanting practice.
However, it is worth remembering that mantras are not merely sounds without context. Many have particular meanings and associations within the traditions from which they come. Learning about them can deepen your understanding and help you approach the practice with respect.
For your first gathering, focus on listening to the facilitator and following the structure of the session. You can explore the meaning of the mantras afterwards if you would like to learn more.
You are not expected to become an expert in a single session. Curiosity is a reasonable place to begin.
05 — The Music
Why Does Music Play Such an Important Role?
Music gives Kirtan its shared rhythm. The melody, repetition and live accompaniment help bring the group into a common activity.
Unlike a practice centred entirely on silence, Kirtan makes sound part of the experience. Participants listen to the leader, respond to the phrases and hear their voices alongside those of other people.
The musical arrangement may change as a gathering unfolds. Some sections may feel gentle and measured, while others may become more energetic. The experience depends on the facilitator, the musical approach and the tradition being followed.
For some participants, this creates a sense of ease because there is something tangible to follow. Rather than needing to direct every thought, they can listen, respond and return to the repeated phrase.
It is important not to assume that everyone will have the same response. Some people may find the music engaging, while others may prefer a quieter form of meditation. Kirtan is one way of exploring attention and participation, not a universal replacement for other practices.
06 — Community
Kirtan as a Shared Experience
There is a difference between listening to music alone and contributing to music with a group.
In Kirtan, the voices of individual participants become part of a collective sound. The experience is shaped by the leader, the instruments and the people responding to the chants.
That shared activity can offer an opportunity to connect with others without needing to make conversation or introduce yourself to everyone in the room. You can participate through listening and chanting rather than having to find the right words to say.
For someone who is new to a yoga or meditation community, this can be a different way to engage. You are not required to arrive with a particular level of experience or a polished explanation of why you are there.
At the same time, community does not mean that you must feel an immediate connection with everyone around you. You may simply enjoy listening, become more familiar with the practice or decide that you would like to explore it again.
The value lies in having the opportunity to experience the gathering for yourself, without needing to predict exactly how it will feel.
07 — Meditation
Is Kirtan a Form of Meditation?
Kirtan can be understood as a form of mantra meditation because it uses repeated sounds and phrases as a central point of attention. However, it differs from meditation practices that emphasise silence or stillness.
In Kirtan
Attention is engaged through listening, chanting, rhythm and music. You may find yourself concentrating on the words, following the melody or noticing when your attention moves elsewhere.
A Structured Alternative
The practice can provide a structured alternative for people who find silent meditation unfamiliar or difficult to approach. It gives you something to participate in rather than asking you to sit quietly with no clear point of focus.
That does not mean Kirtan is effortless or that it will necessarily make you feel calm, joyful or connected. Experiences vary, and there is no particular emotional outcome you need to achieve.
You can approach the gathering with curiosity rather than expectations. Notice the sound, follow the repetition if you wish and give yourself room to experience the practice without judging it too quickly.
08 — Before You Go
Your First Kirtan: What to Expect
If you have decided to attend a Kirtan gathering, a little preparation can help you feel more comfortable.
- →Arrive with an open mind. You do not need to understand every aspect of the practice before taking part. Being willing to listen and observe is enough to begin.
- →Do not worry about learning everything in advance. The repeated format helps you become familiar with the chants during the session. If you do not know a phrase, listen until you recognise it.
- →Choose your level of participation. You can sing, chant quietly or listen. Give yourself permission to take part at a pace that feels comfortable.
- →Respect the tradition. Kirtan has cultural and spiritual roots. Approach the mantras with curiosity and respect, and be open to learning about their meaning and context.
- →Avoid measuring the experience against someone else’s. Another participant may know the chants by heart or feel comfortable singing loudly. You do not need to match their experience to benefit from attending.
- →Give yourself time to settle in. A new environment can feel unfamiliar at first. You do not need to decide how you feel about Kirtan within the first few minutes.
Most importantly, you do not have to prove that you belong before you arrive.
You can come as a beginner and allow the experience to introduce you to the practice.
09 — Join Us
Experience Storytime Kirtan with Jordan Berger
If you have been curious about Kirtan but unsure whether you would feel comfortable participating, Power Living’s Storytime Kirtan offers an opportunity to experience mantra, live music and community in Manly.
Hosted by Jordan Berger, the 90-minute gathering invites participants to explore the practice through simple, repetitive chanting and live music.
The event is designed to welcome people regardless of singing ability or previous experience. You can chant loudly, participate quietly, listen or simply take in the atmosphere of the room.
There is no expectation to perform. The invitation is to experience the rhythm, the repetition and the shared nature of the practice for yourself.
Event Details · Manly
Storytime Kirtan
1:00 pm AEDT
90 minutes
Host: Jordan Berger
Location: Manly
Whether this is your first experience of mantra or you already have a regular practice, you are welcome to explore Kirtan at your own pace.
Stay connected with Power Living for more opportunities to explore yoga, meditation, workshops and community experiences.
Sources
- Britannica Editors. Kīrtana. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Preston, C., & Britannica Editors. Mantra. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Perry, G., Polito, V., Sankaran, N., & Thompson, W. F. (2022). How chanting relates to cognitive function, altered states and quality of life. Brain Sciences, 12(11), 1456.
- Power Living. Storytime Kirtan (event listing on Momence).
