This week has been an incredible week in NZ for women's empowerment. First we had the Topp Twins Tribute Concert on the7th Nov then the Black Ferns win over England at the Rugby Women's World Cup on Saturday. Women are showing themselves as the vanguards of the revolution in all spheres of life, may it roll on! I finish with the song 'Sing a song Holiday' for all of those incredibly hard working women out there. This song is available on the album Unity Hours IV, here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv

In this podcast I interview Didi Ananda Arpana on this very significant day of 'Kiirtan Divas'. On October 8th in 1970 Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji gave the universal mantra Baba Nam Kevalam so that everyone could experience bliss and the feeling of being sheltered within the divine.  Didiji shares her experience strengths and hope and then I end with a devotional song from Unity Hours IV and Baba Nam Kevalam. To check out Unity Hours IV, Click here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv

Moving can be an adventure as well as a challenge. I reflect on my move from the northern to the southern hemispheres and Sam Teliandis Sukhadeva from the city of Melbourne to the countryside of Queensland, Australia. I end with a new song/kiirtan in the making.  To check out the new album Unity Hours IV, click here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-IV

The most fulfilling experience from launching the album Unity Hours IV was the opportunity to give back to my community through love and music. In this podcast I give thanks to those who supported me and share some thoughts about the album launch. Giving back to my community is something very important to me. Each of us has been given a gift of Dharma (innate characteristic or spirit) in our lives and to be able to express this, to give ones gift, whatever it may be, is the most soul nourishing experience. I end the podcast with a review and a new track from the album. Click here to check out the new album: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv

In this interview Jiivan describes his experience of being an ABBA fan, the bliss he felt when he could say 'I love you" to Agnetha and her amazing response at the ABBA Premiere in London. It was the concert that he always wanted to go to, but coudnt and now finally went. We end with an old kiirtan of mine that Jiivan loves to sing, called LFT Kiirtan.  

In this podcast, I speak with Dayakar, about his background and the benefits of the kiirpa, an instrument he invented following the mystical instructions of his guru. He speaks about how the kiirpa benefits people musically and medically, especially those with neurological disorders. With this instrument you don't need to know how to read or even to play music to make your own riffs, you just need to hold it close to you and play what makes you feel good, its like a medicine. He ends the podcast with his own kiirpa improvisation. Check it out at https://kiirpa.com/

In this interview Bernadette talks about her background and the session of macaronic singing at the Mount Shannon Arts Festival recently that was very successful. She also speaks about the Irish Language movement that she is dedicated to. She ends with a macaronic song called One Morning in June, a love song from the 18th century.  

Most of Unity Hours IV album was recorded in Malbay Studio, except the backing vocals which I recorded with Michael Lloyd in NZ.  Recently I interviewed Martin O'Malley about the background of his studio. It's a wonderful studio in a rural area of Ireland, near to the beach, where we have begun to mix the album. I also share one rough mix of the song "Under Her Spell' a song about my daughter Isabel.    

So much is happening over these two weeks at the Mount Shannon Arts Festival, with the Community Parade and Picnic last weekend, Macaronic Singing, Local and International Films (Wednesdy and Thursday) , Amazing Art and Photography (ongoing), the market (this weekend) and so much more. I end the podcast with two different versions of the song'Tiny Green Island',  by P.R.Sarkar. Version 1 was recorded in the early 90s and version 2 was recorded more recently in Ireland in Irish and English, ending with Baba Nam Kevalam 'Love is all there Is' kiirtan or chant. Come and Enjoy Mount Shannon Festival this weekend see at: www.mountshannnon arts. To know more about Macaronic singing, see: https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0324/603788-sen-sochin-sings-a-macaronic-song/

In this podcast I talk about Pitr Yajina or Honouring our Ancestors aka the 'Bath Mantra', something which is very beneficial to our health and our happiness. It has immense value personally and collectively by recognising those who have paved the way for human progress. It also reminds us of our spiritual goal in life, that we are coming from Infinite Consciousness and will eventually merge back into Infinite Consciousness, once our work has been completed. I also talk about the upcoming events at the Kiirtan Academy and end with Ananda Sutram Kiirtan.