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WORLD December 24, 1999 VNN5146 Comment on this story Karana Introduces Mantra Music To New Audiences USA, Dec 24 (VNN) — Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca - krpa-sindhubhya eva ca - patitanam pavanebhyo - vaisnavebhyo namo namah Haribol! The Hare Krishna movement took root under a tree in New York's Washington Square Park, where, in 1966, Srila Prabhupada chanted the Hare Krishna mantra with a small drum. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the swami and his small band of followers chant and dance. Now the maha-mantra echoes on busy streets all over the world, and in concert halls and stadiums where tens of thousands of people chant. Devotees play bhajans to many different styles of music. Boston is an intersection for one particularly interesting hybrid. Two years ago, Karanarnava dasa ("Karana" for short), moved to Boston. Born in Brazil in 1962, Karana joined ISKON in 1979, helping to establish several temples in that country. Shortly after his arrival in Boston, he recorded a unique CD called Vancha Kalpa, melding Vaishnava bhajans with Brazilian pop rhythms. Karana is introducing Hare Krishna chanting to the region's large Brazilian community and others at concerts and colleges. His performances at last year's Ratha Yatra festival and temple programs have proved very popular. Backed by a nice-piece band and an Indian dancer, Karana inspires his audience to chant and dance along with him. "On the way to Krishna" interviewed Karana in May on the eve of his two-month Brazilian tour. "Everything is because of the power of the mantras. I absorbed the energy when I played the mantras and I could see in everyone's eyes that they were into the vibration of the mantra" Transcribed from "On the way to Krishna" published by ISKCON of New England. To read the full interview replay for a free sample of "On the way to Krishna" . Listen to Karana's music at Kara na Main Page or e-mail to kmail. Please forward this message to your friends. Vancha Kalpa is available at Boston Temple Gift Shop, Tower Records Boston or Karana Main Page Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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